Health and Me

Tanya Dutt

Why ADHD In Women Is Often Misdiagnosed As Anxiety?

"Have you ever gotten that feeling that you're always forgetting something? Like you're in a race but somehow always three steps behind? You put reminders, write lists, and do your best to keep on top of things, but somehow it feels like your brain is playing a game of hide-and-seek with your own thoughts. Now imagine having this feeling your whole life and being told it's just anxiety or that you need to 'try harder.' Welcome to the world of <span>ADHD in women</span>."

ADHD has long been framed as a restless little boy who can't keep still in class, disturbing the lesson and incurring punishments for blurting out answers. What about the shy girl gazing out the window, daydreaming, with difficulty completing work, and intimidated by tasks which come so easily to others? She probably has ADHD as well—except that nobody ever realises because she's learned to hide it.

ADHD has been put in a box for years: a hyper, young boy who can't sit still in school. This old stereotype has led to one of the largest <span>mental health</span> oversights—women with ADHD being misdiagnosed, most often with anxiety. Conversely, girls and women most often have the inattentive type of ADHD, which is manifest through daydreaming, forgetfulness, being easily distracted, and internalized difficulties with executive functioning. These more subtle symptoms don't conform to the hyperactive stereotype, so many women fall through the diagnostic cracks. 

<h2>ADHD and Anxiety: What Symptoms Overlap?</h2>

One of the biggest reasons ADHD in women gets confused with anxiety is the vast symptom overlap. Both share a lot of the following:

<strong>Trouble focusing </strong>– ADHD makes it difficult to concentrate due to lack of regulation, while anxiety interferes with concentration due to increased worry.

<strong>Restlessness and agitation</strong> – ADHD-based hyperactivity may manifest in a similar way as physical restlessness for anxiety.

<strong>Sleep disturbances</strong> – Both anxiety and ADHD can lead to insomnia and abnormal sleep patterns.

<strong>Emotional dysregulation </strong>– It's common for <span>women with ADHD</span> to experience strong emotions, but they can be misdiagnosed as anxiety-led distress.

Due to such commonalities, most females who approach practitioners for their predicaments are labeled with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or even depression with no proper evaluation for ADHD. 

<h2>Why Women with ADHD Often Get Misdiagnosed?</h2>

So many women with ADHD get misdiagnosed with anxiety disorders, they're not anxious, but their brains work differently. Since anxiety is more socially acceptable and better known, it's what women get labeled with first. And so, they're prescribed anti-anxiety medication or therapy for an issue that doesn't really touch the source of their issues.

<h2>Hormones, ADHD, and Mood Swings: A Rollercoaster No One Talks About</h2>

ADHD women tend to have spectacular variations in attention and mood during their menstrual cycles. Studies indicate a high correlation between ADHD and disorders such as Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) and Postpartum Depression (PPD). Decreased estrogen levels in advance of menstruation can make <span>ADHD symptoms</span> more pronounced, even making concentration, mood stability, and emotional control even more challenging. But since hormonal problems are so frequently brushed off as 'just PMS,' many women quietly suffer, assuming it's just one more thing they must endure on their own.

A second reason <span>ADHD diagnosis</span> is tricky in women is the influence of hormones. Estrogen has an important role to play in managing dopamine—a neurotransmitter vital to concentration and drive. Since ADHD involves dysfunction of dopamine, changing hormones can exacerbate symptoms at various stages of life, especially:

<strong>At puberty</strong> – Most girls with ADHD have deteriorating symptoms due to changing levels of hormones.

<strong>At menstrual cycle</strong> – Women with ADHD are predisposed to have premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and experience very severe mood shifts and heightened symptoms of ADHD during the premenstrual period.

<strong>Postpartum and menopause</strong> – Postpartum decreases in estrogen post-childbirth as well as those occurring during menopause can intensely affect ADHD symptoms, causing elevated forgetfulness, brain fog, and emotional dysregulation.

In spite of these obvious patterns, hormonal effects on ADHD are seldom taken into account in diagnostic evaluations, causing further misattribution of symptoms as generalized anxiety or mood disorders.

<h2>Are there Any Treatment Options For Women With ADHD?</h2>

So what can be done? First, we need awareness. Physicians, therapists, and teachers need to understand that women's ADHD is different from men's ADHD. They need to ask the appropriate questions and beyond the stereotypes look.

Second, women must advocate for themselves. If something doesn't feel right to you, insist on an assessment. Read up, consult experts, and don't accept the initial diagnosis if it doesn't ring true.

Lastly, treatment needs to be holistic. ADHD isn't merely a matter of popping pills—it's learning about how your brain functions and what works for you. This might involve cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), changes in lifestyle, hormone regulation, and ADHD coaching.

Otherwise, without diagnosis, women with ADHD can also suffer from:

<strong>Ongoing overwhelm and burnout</strong> – Without the proper tools, failing to cope with daily tasks results in perpetual stress and fatigue.

<strong>Low self-worth</strong> – Constantly being criticized as only "not trying hard enough" or "too worried" can make them lose faith in themselves and their capabilities. 

<strong>Greater danger of mental health conditions</strong> – Without diagnosis, women with ADHD experience increased depression, drug use, and eating disorders. 

Performance and relationship struggles at work – Women without recognition of their ADHD might struggle at work with meeting performance standards, managing time, and maintaining their relationships.

ADHD in women isn't uncommon- it's just not often diagnosed. And for far too long, women have been dismissed as being "too sensitive," "not disciplined enough," or "bad at handling stress." But the reality is, they're living with a brain that works differently, and they should be seen, heard, and supported.

If any of that rings true, understand this: you aren't alone. You aren't broken. And you don't have to waste your life living in a way that attempts to conform to a system that isn't meant for you. It's time to change the story of ADHD in women—starting with the truth."

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"Have you ever gotten that feeling that you're always forgetting something? Like you're in a race but somehow always three steps behind? You put reminders, write lists, and do your best to keep on top of things, but somehow it feels like your brain is playing a game of hide-and-seek with your own thoughts. Now imagine having this feeling your whole life and being told it's just anxiety or that you need to 'try harder.' Welcome to the world of ADHD in women."ADHD has long been framed as a restless little boy who can't keep still in class, disturbing the lesson and incurring punishments for blurting out answers. What about the shy girl gazing out the window, daydreaming, with difficulty completing work, and intimidated by tasks which come so easily to others? She probably has ADHD as well—except that nobody ever realises because she's learned to hide it.ADHD has been put in a box for years: a hyper, young boy who can't sit still in school. This old stereotype has led to one of the largest mental health oversights—women with ADHD being misdiagnosed, most often with anxiety. Conversely, girls and women most often have the inattentive type of ADHD, which is manifest through daydreaming, forgetfulness, being easily distracted, and internalized difficulties with executive functioning. These more subtle symptoms don't conform to the hyperactive stereotype, so many women fall through the diagnostic cracks. ADHD and Anxiety: What Symptoms Overlap?One of the biggest reasons ADHD in women gets confused with anxiety is the vast symptom overlap. Both share a lot of the following:Trouble focusing – ADHD makes it difficult to concentrate due to lack of regulation, while anxiety interferes with concentration due to increased worry.Restlessness and agitation – ADHD-based hyperactivity may manifest in a similar way as physical restlessness for anxiety.Sleep disturbances – Both anxiety and ADHD can lead to insomnia and abnormal sleep patterns.Emotional dysregulation – It's common for women with ADHD to experience strong emotions, but they can be misdiagnosed as anxiety-led distress.Due to such commonalities, most females who approach practitioners for their predicaments are labeled with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or even depression with no proper evaluation for ADHD. Why Women with ADHD Often Get Misdiagnosed?So many women with ADHD get misdiagnosed with anxiety disorders, they're not anxious, but their brains work differently. Since anxiety is more socially acceptable and better known, it's what women get labeled with first. And so, they're prescribed anti-anxiety medication or therapy for an issue that doesn't really touch the source of their issues.Hormones, ADHD, and Mood Swings: A Rollercoaster No One Talks AboutADHD women tend to have spectacular variations in attention and mood during their menstrual cycles. Studies indicate a high correlation between ADHD and disorders such as Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) and Postpartum Depression (PPD). Decreased estrogen levels in advance of menstruation can make ADHD symptoms more pronounced, even making concentration, mood stability, and emotional control even more challenging. But since hormonal problems are so frequently brushed off as 'just PMS,' many women quietly suffer, assuming it's just one more thing they must endure on their own.A second reason ADHD diagnosis is tricky in women is the influence of hormones. Estrogen has an important role to play in managing dopamine—a neurotransmitter vital to concentration and drive. Since ADHD involves dysfunction of dopamine, changing hormones can exacerbate symptoms at various stages of life, especially:At puberty – Most girls with ADHD have deteriorating symptoms due to changing levels of hormones.At menstrual cycle – Women with ADHD are predisposed to have premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and experience very severe mood shifts and heightened symptoms of ADHD during the premenstrual period.Postpartum and menopause – Postpartum decreases in estrogen post-childbirth as well as those occurring during menopause can intensely affect ADHD symptoms, causing elevated forgetfulness, brain fog, and emotional dysregulation.In spite of these obvious patterns, hormonal effects on ADHD are seldom taken into account in diagnostic evaluations, causing further misattribution of symptoms as generalized anxiety or mood disorders.Are there Any Treatment Options For Women With ADHD?So what can be done? First, we need awareness. Physicians, therapists, and teachers need to understand that women's ADHD is different from men's ADHD. They need to ask the appropriate questions and beyond the stereotypes look.Second, women must advocate for themselves. If something doesn't feel right to you, insist on an assessment. Read up, consult experts, and don't accept the initial diagnosis if it doesn't ring true.Lastly, treatment needs to be holistic. ADHD isn't merely a matter of popping pills—it's learning about how your brain functions and what works for you. This might involve cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), changes in lifestyle, hormone regulation, and ADHD coaching.Otherwise, without diagnosis, women with ADHD can also suffer from:Ongoing overwhelm and burnout – Without the proper tools, failing to cope with daily tasks results in perpetual stress and fatigue.Low self-worth – Constantly being criticized as only "not trying hard enough" or "too worried" can make them lose faith in themselves and their capabilities. Greater danger of mental health conditions – Without diagnosis, women with ADHD experience increased depression, drug use, and eating disorders. Performance and relationship struggles at work – Women without recognition of their ADHD might struggle at work with meeting performance standards, managing time, and maintaining their relationships.ADHD in women isn't uncommon- it's just not often diagnosed. And for far too long, women have been dismissed as being "too sensitive," "not disciplined enough," or "bad at handling stress." But the reality is, they're living with a brain that works differently, and they should be seen, heard, and supported.If any of that rings true, understand this: you aren't alone. You aren't broken. And you don't have to waste your life living in a way that attempts to conform to a system that isn't meant for you. It's time to change the story of ADHD in women—starting with the truth."