Adult ADHD in Women: Why It’s Often Missed

The Gender Gap in ADHD Diagnosis

Historically, ADHD research focused on hyperactive boys.

Girls often present with:

• Inattentiveness

• Internalized anxiety

• Perfectionistic compensation

• Emotional sensitivity
  

As a result, many women in Calgary are not diagnosed until adulthood.

Adult ADHD Symptoms in Women

In our SE Calgary therapy practice, women report:

• Chronic overwhelm despite capability

• Difficulty initiating tasks

• Time blindness

• Emotional dysregulation

• Impulsivity in spending or communication

• Difficulty sustaining routines
  

Many describe feeling “smart but scattered.”

ADHD vs. Anxiety vs. Burnout

ADHD can create secondary anxiety due to:

• Missed deadlines

• Forgetfulness

• Overcommitment

• Shame
  

If anxiety treatment alone hasn’t resolved patterns, ADHD may be worth exploring.

ADHD Therapy in SE Calgary

We support women through:

• Executive functioning coaching

• Habit stacking

• Emotional regulation strategies

• Nervous system regulation

• Self-compassion work

• Identity repair after years of masking
  

Understanding ADHD often reduces shame dramatically.