ADHD in Girls and Women: Why Gender Bias Still Skews Diagnosis Rates Kimberley Ashwin
ADHD and the Gender Diagnosis Gap: Why Girls and Women Are Still Being Missed
Despite rising awareness of ADHD, girls and women remain significantly underdiagnosed—a gap that continues to distort public understanding and policy. I believe it’s time to challenge outdated stereotypes and advocate for equitable, expert-led neurodevelopmental care.
The Myth of the “Naughty Boy” Diagnosis
Historically, ADHD has been framed as a behavioural issue affecting young boys—loud, disruptive, and impulsive. This narrow lens excluded countless individuals whose symptoms presented differently. Girls and women often experience inattentive ADHD, marked by internalised struggles like daydreaming, emotional dysregulation, and executive function challenges. These traits are frequently misread as anxiety, laziness, or simply being “overwhelmed.”
According to NHS Business Services Authority data, ADHD prescriptions for girls aged 10–19 rose by 208% between 2016 and 2024, compared to a 41% increase for boys. Yet boys still account for nearly three-quarters of all prescriptions in that age group—proof that girls remain underrepresented in diagnosis and treatment.
Why the Diagnosis Gap Persists
1. Gendered Bias in Clinical Pathways
Many assessment tools and referral criteria are still calibrated around male presentations of ADHD. Girls are less likely to be flagged by teachers or GPs, and often internalise their symptoms until adulthood.
2. Lack of Specialist Services
Until recently, ADHD services—especially for adults—were scarce. The Independent ADHD Taskforce (2025) calls for urgent expansion of gender-informed diagnostic pathways and better training for frontline professionals.
3. Stigma and Misdiagnosis
Women with ADHD are frequently misdiagnosed with anxiety, depression, or borderline personality disorder. Without a neurodevelopmental lens, their true needs go unmet.
The Cost of Being Missed
Delayed diagnosis can lead to academic underachievement, burnout, strained relationships, and mental health crises. For high-performing women—entrepreneurs, executives, creatives—the impact is often hidden but profound. A timely, accurate diagnosis can unlock access to tailored support, workplace accommodations, and emotional clarity.
What Needs to Change
Gender-sensitive diagnostic criteria and training
Expanded adult ADHD services with neuroaffirming care
Public education to dismantle stereotypes and stigma
Warm Wishes
Kimberley Ashwin
Sources:
Independent ADHD Taskforce Report – NHS England
Beyond Clinics – ADHD and the Gender Diagnosis Gap