A Closer Look at the Symptoms of ADHD & Anxiety in Women
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety are two distinct mental health conditions. But they often co-occur, particularly in women. Their symptoms can often be overlooked or misdiagnosed, even though we’re more aware of how commonly women have ADHD and anxiety. Understanding how they manifest in women is important for getting the best treatment.
ADHD in women
The most hallmark symptoms of ADHD are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. However, women are much less likely than men to present as hyperactive or impulsive. Instead, women tend to be more inattentive—they may misplace things, forget appointments, or struggle to pay attention. Here are several more common symptoms of ADHD in women:
Inattention: Women with ADHD often struggle with maintaining focus, organizing tasks, and following through on commitments. They may find it difficult to pay attention during conversations or frequently lose track of details.
Hyperfocus: One paradoxical symptom of ADHD is hyperfocusing, or getting lost in a task. Women tend to become intensely absorbed in a particular activity, often to the detriment of other responsibilities.
Disorganization: Women may be chronically disorganized and forgetful. They might have a hard time managing time, meeting deadlines, or being able to complete tasks without feeling overwhelmed.
Emotional dysregulation: A common symptom of ADHD is heightened emotional sensitivity. This leads to mood swings, frustration, and seemingly outsized emotional reactions. In women, this can often be mistaken for mood disorders like bipolar disorder or depression.
Restlessness: While hyperactivity in women may not manifest as constant physical activity (as it does in men), it often presents as an internal restlessness. This can include fidgeting, an inability to relax, or feeling perpetually on edge.
Anxiety in women
Anxiety disorders actually encompass a range of mental health issues, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder. Women are more likely than men to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, in contrast with ADHD. Here are several common symptoms of anxiety in women:
Excessive worrying: This is a hallmark of anxiety. A person might worry about any part of their life, including work, their relationships, their health, or money. Often this this worry is disproportionate to their actual circumstances.
Avoidance behavior: To manage anxiety, women may begin to avoid situations that trigger their symptoms. This can lead to social isolation and difficulties with their relationships.
Sleep disturbances: Anxiety often makes sleeping through the night more difficult. Worrying can interrupt natural sleep patterns and prevents women from feeling rested in the morning.
Irritability: Chronic anxiety can lead to heightened irritability and a short temper. This might also make it hard to stay on task or keep full focus.
Physical symptoms: Anxiety typically manifests physically in women, leading to issues like muscle tension, headaches, gastrointestinal issues, and fatigue.
How ADHD and anxiety intersect
Many symptoms of anxiety and ADHD overlap, which can make it hard to diagnose one or both of them. Emotional dysregulation, restlessness, sleep disturbances, and difficulty concentrating can be symptoms of both ADHD and anxiety. One condition also fuels the other—those with ADHD might feel anxiety around not getting tasks done, which can then make it harder to complete those tasks.
It can be especially difficult to diagnose women, since our society encourages women to mask their symptoms for the benefit of other people. For example, many women who are diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood believed their symptoms were simply part of their personality rather than due to neurodivergence.
Getting help
Whether you suspect you have ADHD and anxiety or you’ve been diagnosed, talk to a mental health professional about your treatment options. You may benefit from medication, therapy, or both. With a therapist, you can develop healthy coping mechanisms to help manage difficult emotions. You’ll also learn strategies for organizing and focusing, as well as building your self-esteem and resilience.
To find out more about how therapy can help women with anxiety and ADHD, please reach out and book a consultation today!
About the Author
Nicole Mendizabal is a licensed marriage and family therapist providing virtual therapy services in Florida.
