For girls, symptoms may be internalized with symptoms like inattention and emotional dysregulation, or less obvious problems. For boys, typical ADHD presentations may look like external behavior problems related to hyperactivity. Struggles with both ADHD and perfectionism, leading to rejection sensitive dysphoria or what looks like poor emotional regulation and crying easilyīiological males and females have historically demonstrated seemingly different behaviors in their presentation of ADHD.

Easily overwhelmed, even when doing fun things for girls in particular, they may be labeled “emotional” when really their brain is overworked and exhausted.

Struggling with chronic procrastination.

Feeling like they are often daydreaming or can’t pay attention.

Impulsive behaviors, like compulsive shopping or overspending.

Losing things easily, like their house keys or their phone.

Issues with disorganization at home or school for example, girls may struggle with keeping a tidy room or staying organized with their homework and other important tasks.

Difficulty relaxing at home or school or taking a needed break.

Difficulty with time blindness and time management.

Difficulty staying on task when in a distracting environment (like a busy classroom or noisy environment).

While anyone of any gender can experience a combination of typical and less-common ADHD symptoms, ADHD symptoms in girls can include: 1 6 For girls with ADHD, they’re often misdiagnosed with depression or an anxiety disorder, or told they’re moody or that it’s “just hormones.” 5 Additionally, emotional lability or shifts in mood are common in kids with ADHD. With high expectations and pressures to perform and act a certain way, girls can experience more perceived impairment in their social relationships. Because of high emotional vulnerability, girls with ADHD may also be perceived as more “deviant” because of what female behaviors are expected to look like culturally. Girls with hyperactive symptoms of ADHD may be viewed as “talking excessively” when really they’re struggling with impulse control, want to be more engaged, or just want to feel included. 1,3 They often share that they feel confused, especially in the academic setting, which has nothing to do with intellectual capacity. Girls tend to display more inattentive symptoms vs. immediately investigating whether or not they have a neurological disorder. In general, it’s common for any developing child with ADHD to be treated as if they lack motivation vs. 3 There’s no “cure” for ADHD, but symptoms can be more manageable or less severe with treatments. It is said to be caused by genetics, environmental risk factors, or even birth issues. Onset of ADHD starts in childhood with symptoms persisting throughout adulthood.

1,2,3 It affects executive functioning, which naturally affects cognitive development in areas like attention, response, anticipation, processing, and memory. 2 There are three types of ADHD: hyperactive type, inattentive type, or a combination of the two. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurological, mental health disorder in which individuals experience chronic issues with inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity.

Girl with add vs adhd