Many women report having “mom brain,” in which they report being forgetful, having difficulty concentrating, and being impatient. While “mom brain” has been proven to be a real phenomenon, it is typically reported by women who are pregnant or have young children. “Mom brain” is situational and typically goes away on its own. These same symptoms, however, can also be indicative of undiagnosed ADHD in women.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common mental health disorder that effects roughly 10.5 million adults in America. It is estimated that 13% of men will be diagnosed with ADHD in their lifetime while just 4.2% of women will be diagnosed. It is hypothesized that this disparity occurs due to the way the disorder presents in women versus men. Men tend to display more external symptoms such as “acting out,” hyperactivity, and difficulty focusing. Women, on the other hand, do not display “typical” ADHD behavior. Their symptoms are more internal and can include being withdrawn, “flaky,” having low self-esteem, experiencing depression or anxiety, an inability to focus, and a tendency to “daydream.”

What is the Difference Between “Mom Brain” and Undiagnosed ADHD in Women?

There is one huge difference between “mom brain” and undiagnosed ADHD—the duration of the symptoms. In contrast to “mom brain”, which is situational and tends to resolve itself, women who have undiagnosed ADHD experience chronic symptoms which occur across various situations, last for multiple years, and impact their ability to function in the home, social, or work settings. In addition, symptoms of “mom brain” typically begin in adulthood as opposed to ADHD in which symptoms begin during childhood, usually before age 12. 

What if ADHD is Never Diagnosed?

Without diagnosis and treatment, women may have difficulty navigating relationships, career success, and finances. These difficulties, as well as not having a “reason” for their symptoms, can often lead women to feelings of depression and shame. In addition, a study by the American Psychological Association (2003) found that women with undiagnosed ADHD responded more harshly to criticism and tended to blame themselves when things went wrong in their lives. These feelings of negativity left women feeling incapable, engaging in unhealthy eating and sleeping patters due to stress, and isolating from others. In contrast, women who received an ADHD diagnosis, even in adulthood, felt a sense of peace that they had “answers” for their challenging behaviors. 

What Can You Do if You Think You Have Undiagnosed ADHD?

If you think there’s a chance you may have untreated ADHD, it is best to schedule an appointment with a qualified healthcare professional, such as a licensed mental health professional or physician. During your appointment, your healthcare professional will review your medical and mental health history as well as discuss your current symptomology. They may also use interviews, observations, or behavior and symptom checklists. For many adults, physicians may opt to use brain scans that measure brain activity and blood flow to diagnose ADHD, such as a PET scan or a functional MRI. 

ADHD is a treatable condition and, for many women, can be done with a combination of medication, therapy, and lifestyle modifications. There are therapists at the Counseling and Wellness Center of Pittsburgh who are trained in strategies to help adult women cope with their symptoms of ADHD who can help.

Written by Rayeann Milne, Counseling Intern. If you’d like to schedule an appointment with Rayeann, please call us at 412-322-2129.

References: 

Angel, T. (2021). Everything you need to know about ADHD. Healthline. 

https://www.healthline.com/health/adhd

Crawford, N. (2003). ADHD: A woman’s issue. American Psychological Association, 34 

https://www.apa.org/monitor/feb03/adhd