Does ADHD look different in girls?

ADHD affects girls and boys about the same amount. But in many girls, ADHD symptoms are harder to spot. This means girls with ADHD are less likely to be diagnosed — and less likely to get the help they need. 

Girls with ADHD often have a type called ADHD-inattentive (ADHD-I). That means they have a hard time paying attention, staying organized, and managing their time. But they are not hyper.  They don’t fit into the picture most people have of ADHD: A young boy who can’t sit still and is bouncing off the walls. 

Even girls who are more hyperactive and impulsive tend to be seen as pushy and overemotional. Their behavior might be seen as a personality problem instead of signs of a disorder. 

But even if their ADHD symptoms are less obvious, the problems girls with ADHD have are the same. A boy with ADHD might be disrupting the class or wandering around the room. A girl might be fidgeting and daydreaming. Both miss hearing the homework assignment, but the boy is likely to be called back by the teacher, while the girl leaves unnoticed.  

ADHD can lead to problems not only at school but at home and with friends. And girls are more likely to blame themselves: It’s my fault. I’m a screw-up. I’m not smart. She hates me. Girls with ADHD often have lower self-esteem and feel more anxious and depressed than their peers.  

Getting diagnosed can help. Understanding why she is struggling and getting the treatment and support she needs to succeed can make a big difference.