When Sarah Hayden was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 48, many things in her life suddenly made sense. She realized why she had always been able to do multiple things at once and why she easily got bored. Like many women who are diagnosed with ADHD in midlife, Sarah also began to understand the struggles she faced as a young girl. She struggled in school, forgot assignments, and had difficulty sustaining friendships. Despite these challenges, she managed to write a book on raising neurodivergent kids in the midst of her busy life.
Sarah’s daughter, award-winning autistic actor Chloe Hayden, was diagnosed with ADHD at 22, which prompted Sarah to seek assessment for herself. She discovered that she also had ADHD and joined a growing group of women being diagnosed in adulthood. The number of adults using ADHD medications rose significantly in the decade leading up to 2022-23, with more women than men being treated for the condition. High-profile women like Greta Gerwig, Paris Hilton, Lily Allen, and Rachel Griffiths have also spoken publicly about their ADHD diagnoses.
Many women who are diagnosed with ADHD later in life experience a range of emotions, including grief, relief, and self-acceptance. Australian researchers studying the impact of midlife diagnosis have found that women often fly under the radar in their formative years due to diagnostic criteria that were based on boys’ behavior. Girls with ADHD may be seen as dreamy or unfocused rather than hyperactive, leading to a lack of diagnosis and support. The increase in ADHD diagnoses among women since the pandemic is also attributed to increased stressors.
Australian studies into adult female diagnosis have found that external catalysts, such as a child or sibling being diagnosed, often lead women to seek assessment for ADHD. Symptoms can become more prominent in perimenopause, leading to breakdown and burnout as coping strategies become ineffective. Women may also engage in masking, appearing to conform to societal expectations despite internal challenges. While concerns about over-diagnosis have been raised, researchers emphasize that diagnoses are not made lightly and are a correction of past under-diagnosis.
Receiving a long-overdue diagnosis of ADHD can lead to improved self-acceptance, control over one’s life, and enhanced relationships and wellbeing. Various therapies are available to support individuals with ADHD, but cases are still being missed, especially among girls. Despite similar rates of ADHD symptoms in men and women as adults, the diagnosis rate among children still disproportionately favors boys, leading to missed diagnoses in girls. High-profile women speaking out about their ADHD experiences are helping to reduce stigma and pave the way for recognition and support for other girls and women with the condition.
