Doctor reveals 5 ways ADHD 'looks different' in women and why it's often undiagnosed

A doctor has revealed why women with ADHD are so often misdiagnosed with depression and anxiety.

Thanks to a reduced stigma in mental health, more people are discovering that they have been living with a condition - be that autism, bipolar disorder or ADHD - which stands for 'attention deficit hyperactivity disorder'.

What that means is that after people receive their diagnosis, they are able to get help in how they can affectively manage their lives.

However, women are frequently misdiagnosed or remain undiagnosed for years - and that's because symptoms in females are often much less disruptive than male patients.

Now, consultant psychiatrist Dr Ali Ajaz has revealed the five ways ADHD is different in women.

"Why ADHD looks different in women, and why most doctors miss it," his TikTok began.

"Hi, I'm Dr. Ali Ajaz consultant psychiatrist, let's talk about why ADHD often goes undiagnosed in women until they're 30s or 40s. We all know this stereotypical ADHD image is of a hyperactive young boy disrupting class, but here's what that picture misses."

So, let's dive into it.

'Chatty'

Ajaz explained that one symptom of ADHD in women is being 'chatty', 'scatty', or 'overly emotional' - rather than being hyperactive.

While the Canadian ADHD clinic, Talk with Frida, also notes how women and girls with ADHD are often described as talkative or easily distracted, but rarely as 'disruptive'.

In classrooms, they might be labeled 'daydreamers' or 'chatty', rather than being flagged for assessment - which would be the port of call for boys with the condition.

Perfectionist

"Number two, masking symptoms much better than men through perfectionism and overachieving," Ajaz shared.

Yes, many women with ADHD cope by overcompensating, which can leave them mentally drained - but we'll touch on that shortly.

'Put together'

The doctor continued: "Number three, struggling silently with organization or maintaining a put together appearance."

From the outside, women with ADHD might seem totally in control - neat, reliable, and high-functioning. But behind the scenes, they’re often overwhelmed by the effort it takes to keep up appearances.

Brushing over hyperactivity

Hyperactivity doesn’t always mean bouncing off the walls, especially in women. Instead, it’s often mental.

'Internalising hyperactivity as racing thoughts rather than physical restlessness', is one reason so many women slip through the cracks, Ajaz added.

Burn out

Finally, I'll let Ajaz explain this one: "Number five, are much more prone to burning out from trying to maintain multiple roles perfectly.

"This is why women often get misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression first. As a psychiatrist who's worked with many women with ADHD, I see these patterns regularly, understanding these differences is crucial for proper assessment to diagnosis and treatment."