Inattentive ADHD affects many women across the globe, yet unlike combined or hyperactive-impulsive ADHD, it can often be harder to spot. In this guide, we’ll be covering everything from inattentive ADHD traits and easy-to-miss signs to getting support at home and in the workplace.
Inattentive ADHD is a subtype of ADHD that is more commonly identified in females. Unlike hyperactive-impulsive ADHD, the condition is characterised by inattentiveness, and those with it may experience very little to no hyperactivity at all.
Some sources claim that inattentive ADHD is the most prevalent type of ADHD. However, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) reports that the inattentive subtype accounts for somewhere between 20-30% of cases. While it’s not easy to say for sure which type is most common – partly because studies vary in their methods and focus – we do know that inattentive ADHD is often underdiagnosed in women due to its quieter, less disruptive symptoms.
So, is there really a difference between men and women when it comes to ADHD? According to research, the answer’s yes.
Inattentive ADHD is characterised by traits like distractibility, forgetfulness, disorganisation, and difficulty sustaining attention. In girls and women, these traits tend to go unnoticed because they’re often wrongly perceived as personality quirks (like daydreaming) rather than signs of a neurodevelopmental condition.
According to one study, girls with ADHD are significantly underrepresented in clinical settings compared to boys, despite facing similar cognitive challenges due to ADHD. This suggests that many women could be going about their lives without a diagnosis simply because their symptoms are misunderstood or more hidden.
Since women with inattentive ADHD often internalise how they feel, the emotional burden can be heavy. If ADHD isn’t recognised or managed, these internal challenges can lead to self-doubt, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
Of course, lots of women experience anxiety or low self-esteem without ADHD. But if you notice these things along with the following signs, then it could make inattentive ADHD more of a possibility:
As we discussed in our recent blog about neurodivergence, while many people occasionally misplace something or lose focus during a task, those with ADHD tend to experience these challenges daily and in clusters. It’s not just one or two traits popping up now and then, it’s a consistent pattern that can affect multiple areas of life, from work and relationships to basic routines. Recognising this difference is key to understanding ADHD and how it affects people.
Another reason inattentive ADHD often goes undiagnosed in women is that many women self-report masking their symptoms. This means that they consciously or unconsciously hide signs of ADHD to meet social or professional expectations.
A woman with inattentive ADHD might pretend to follow a conversation, over-prepare for meetings, or stay late at work to compensate for lost focus. The pressure to do these things can be even higher for women in demanding environments, where traits like forgetfulness or distractibility are often misread as character flaws.
Over time, a woman’s efforts to ‘blend in’ can make it harder for her to recognise her own symptoms, let alone seek a diagnosis.
Feel like you can relate to the challenges mentioned above? Since ADHD can sometimes be tricky to spot, we’ve put together a practical ‘inattentive ADHD’ checklist to help you identify potential signs.
If you find yourself nodding along to several of these experiences, it might be worth having a conversation with a doctor or clinician about getting assessed for ADHD:
Since every woman with ADHD is different, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to treatment. Some women find that medication makes a big difference to their daily lives, while others prefer to focus more on holistic approaches like mindfulness, exercise, or nutritional changes.
If you have recently discovered you have ADHD and feel nervous about pursuing treatment, try to keep an open mind. Treating ADHD is about finding a combination that works best for you, and most ADHD professionals respect and understand this. If you ever feel pushed to follow a certain treatment path that you don’t feel comfortable with, you have every right to seek out a second opinion.
Fortunately, greater awareness of ADHD has meant that there are now lots of support options available to help women manage inattentive ADHD.
If you’d like to get help with your ADHD, here are a few things you may want to try:
Talking through problems: Chatting with a therapist or counsellor who understands ADHD can help you to get stuff off your chest and find valuable coping strategies. If you prefer a more ADHD-focused approach, you may want to consider an ADHD coach. They can help you with practical tools for organisation and time management. Since many have ADHD themselves, they can often bring lived experience to everyday challenges.
Women’s ADHD support groups: Whether in-person or online, ADHD support groups give you a chance to connect with other women who truly ‘get it’ and can share what’s worked for them. These environments provide you with a safe space to voice concerns and find identification, which can help you to feel less alone and more empowered when facing challenges.
Online ADHD resources: It can be helpful to get familiar with sites like ADHD UK and Mind. These charities regularly share resources like ADHD guides, videos, and events. You may also want to explore local groups on social media to find group workshops or ADHD events near you.
Did you know? Your employer has a responsibility to provide reasonable adjustments in the workplace. These are there to ensure your work environment doesn’t hold you back from doing your job.
If you feel comfortable doing so, try to be open with your manager about your ADHD, discussing any sensory concerns, issues with working styles/task management, or help you need when doing your job. If you find your concentration tends to wane while at work, you may benefit from assistive technology like note-taking software or dictation software that prevent you from having to do too many things at once – something that can be a difficult challenge for people with inattentive ADHD.
Our small but mighty team builds leading-edge software that people love. We pride ourselves on a user-led approach to product design. The voice of the customer shapes what we create and that’s exactly how great assistive tech should be made.
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