ADHD on the Rise in Women in the U.S.

ADHD Diagnoses Among Women on the Rise in the U.S.

In recent years, the number of women diagnosed with ADHD in the United States has grown substantially. This trend is attributed to multiple factors, including increased awareness and shifting diagnostic criteria that better capture the female presentation of ADHD.

Historically, ADHD was predominantly diagnosed in boys, in part because boys often exhibit more obvious hyperactivity and disruptive behavior in classroom settings. Young women, on the other hand, frequently present with more inattentive or less overtly disruptive symptoms such as daydreaming, disorganization, anxiety, or poor time management. These symptoms can be harder to detect, which led to decades of underdiagnosis for females (Quinn & Madhoo, 2014). Moreover, cultural expectations in decades past pushed girls to remain quieter and better behaved, especially in classroom settings. This may have minimized or masked ADHD symptoms.

Trends

Over the past decade, U.S. healthcare records have shown a consistent rise in ADHD diagnoses for women across a range of ages. One study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry indicated that this trend began a while ago; from 2003 to 2015, diagnoses of ADHD in adult women increased significantly (Xu et al., 2018). Although boys and men still received ADHD diagnoses at much higher rates, the gap between genders is narrowing.

Possible Reasons for the Increase

  1. Improved Diagnostic Criteria: The updated Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) — which is the go-to guide to behavioral health — emphasized the need to consider ADHD symptoms across different settings, including work and home. The updated criteria can be more inclusive of female presentations, which often manifest as inattentiveness and internalized anxiety rather than obvious hyperactivity (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

  2. Growing Public Awareness: Campaigns and advocacy efforts from mental health organizations have led more adults — particularly women — to recognize the symptoms they may have lived with since childhood. As social stigma decreases, more women feel empowered to seek formal evaluations. Simply look at the growing number of social media influencers and content that include ADHD- and ADHD-adjacent tags. Both women and men have been exposed to more information about ADHD and its symptoms.

  3. Shifting Gender Norms: Changing cultural norms have loosened traditional expectations of gendered behavior. Among the plethora of reasons that this is a great thing, women have been increasingly subject to more of the same settings as men in recent decades. Due to this, symptoms of inattention or disorganization in women have become more evident, prompting clinical assessments.

  4. Access to Telehealth and Online Resources: The expansion of telehealth services enables women — often balancing careers and caregiving — to consult professionals more conveniently…and discretely. Online screening tools, articles, and support communities have also increased self-awareness and prompted formal diagnoses.

Impact on Women’s Lives

When ADHD remains undetected, women may struggle with chronic stress, low self-esteem, and difficulty managing daily responsibilities. Undiagnosed ADHD is also associated with higher risks of depression, anxiety, and other comorbid mental health issues (Kessler et al., 2006). With a proper diagnosis, women can receive targeted interventions such as medication, cognitive-behavioral therapy, coaching, and workplace accommodations.

Importance of Early and Accurate Diagnosis

Early identification of ADHD — whether during childhood, adolescence, or adulthood — can significantly affect longterm outcomes. Healthcare professionals have recently been encouraged to adopt thorough, gender-sensitive evaluation practices. Schools and workplaces have also played a crucial role by recognizing signs in female students or employees and are more often providing appropriate support measures.

References

  1. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing.

  2. Kessler, R. C., Adler, L., Barkley, R., et al. (2006). The prevalence and correlates of adult ADHD in the United States: Results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. American Journal of Psychiatry, 163(4), 716–723.

  3. Quinn, P. O., & Madhoo, M. (2014). A review of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in women and girls: Uncovering this hidden diagnosis. Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders, 16(3).

  4. Xu, G., Strathearn, L., Liu, B., Yang, B., Bao, W. (2018). Twenty-Year Trends in Diagnosed Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Among US Children and Adolescents, 1997-2016. JAMA Network Open, 1(4), e181471.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only. For personal diagnosis or treatment, consult a qualified healthcare provider.