ADHD in Girls

We know that ADHD commonly affects girls. However, ADHD has historically been underdiagnosed in girls, and often presents differently in girls compared to boys.

Girls with ADHD often exhibit symptoms that are less overt or less stereotypical than boys.

While some girls may show hyperactivity and impulsivity, many others display inattentive symptoms. This might include difficulty focusing, staying organised, or completing tasks. These symptoms are easier to overlook, or explain away as ā€˜something else’.

Typical symptoms in girls - such as inattentiveness and daydreaming- can be less overt and disruptive, making them less noticeable in a classroom setting. On top of this, girls with ADHD may be better at masking their symptoms in social situations, which can make it challenging for them to get a proper diagnosis. They might work harder to fit in or appear attentive in class, making their struggles less visible.

Symptoms of ADHD in Girls

ADHD can present differently in girls compared to boys, which can sometimes make it more challenging to recognise.

Here are some common symptoms and behaviours seen in girls with ADHD. It's important to note that not all girls with ADHD will display all of these symptoms, and the severity can vary.

Inattention

Girls with ADHD may struggle with paying attention, focusing on tasks, and organising their thoughts. They may have difficulty completing schoolwork or chores because they become easily distracted and forgetful.

Hyperactivity

While hyperactivity is a core symptom of ADHD, it may manifest differently in girls. Girls may not display the same level of physical restlessness or fidgeting seen in boys. Instead, girls may exhibit internal restlessness, or excessive talking.

Impulsivity

Girls with ADHD can be impulsive, but this may manifest as impulsive decision-making, such as taking risks or making hasty choices in friendships, relationships, or other aspects of their lives.

Emotional dysregulation

Many girls with ADHD struggle with emotional regulation. They may have intense mood swings, emotional outbursts, and difficulty managing their emotions, which can affect their relationships with peers and family.

Daydreaming

Girls with ADHD may frequently daydream, get lost in their thoughts, or appear "spacey." They might seem forgetful or absent-minded.

Poor organisation and time management

Difficulty with organisation, time management, and completing tasks is common in girls with ADHD. They may frequently misplace items, have messy rooms or backpacks, and struggle to follow a routine.

Low self-esteem

Many girls with ADHD experience low self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy because they often face challenges in academic and social settings. They may blame themselves for their difficulties.

Perfectionism

Some girls with ADHD may develop perfectionistic tendencies as a coping mechanism. They may set high standards for themselves but struggle to meet them, which can lead to anxiety and frustration.

Social difficulties

Girls with ADHD may have trouble forming and maintaining friendships. They might interrupt others in conversations, have difficulty listening, or struggle with social cues.

Underachievement in school

While some girls with ADHD may excel in certain areas, they often underachieve in school due to their difficulties with attention, organisation, and completing assignments.

How ADHD can affect girls’ lives

Girls with ADHD are more likely to internalise their difficulties, leading to issues like anxiety and depression.

This internalisation can complicate the diagnosis process, as healthcare professionals may focus on the secondary symptoms (anxiety, depression) rather than the underlying ADHD.

Girls with ADHD often have comorbid conditions, such as anxiety and depression. These conditions can be interconnected, and it's important to address both the primary ADHD symptoms and any co-occurring conditions.

Parents, teachers, and healthcare professionals play a vital role in supporting girls with ADHD. Creating a supportive and understanding environment is crucial to help them succeed academically and socially.

Diagnosing & treating ADHD in girls

Girls with ADHD are often diagnosed later than boys, and they may go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed with other conditions like anxiety or depression.

It's essential to consider ADHD as a possibility in girls who exhibit symptoms, even if they present differently. Early intervention and support can significantly improve the well-being and success of girls with ADHD.

At Beyond, we understand how ADHD can affect girls’ lives. Our multidisciplinary team of professional ADHD psychiatrists, nurse specialists, and support staff are experienced in working with girls with ADHD and helping them to live happier, healthier lives.

Why Beyond?

Why we're different

Online or in-clinic support in a way that works for you

You can choose to have your assessment online from the comfort of your own home, or visit us at our welcoming clinic in Warrington. Whichever you choose, you’ll receive the same high standard of care, attention, and access to our specialist clinical team.

Built from real experience

Beyond was created by people who have personally navigated the challenges surrounding ADHD. We understand how important it is to feel heard, supported, and treated with kindness. This lived experience shapes everything we do — from the time we give each person, to the way we explain things, to how we support you after your assessment.

A thoughtful and thorough assessment process

Many of us found that traditional assessment pathways didn’t offer the depth, time, or understanding we needed. That’s why we’ve developed a process that is more detailed, more reflective, and more focused on understanding the whole person. We take the time to explore your experiences fully, so you feel the process has truly captured your story.

Support Beyond the assessment

Once your assessment is complete, we continue to offer guidance to help you understand your report and explore what practical support may be helpful in school, work, or everyday life. Our team ensures you feel informed, reassured, and confident about the steps ahead.

Our pricing

ADHD assessment prices

Child & adolescent assessment

What’s included

Ā£1450

Klarna
Apple Pay

Finance options on request.

Key people

Our lead clinicians

Our team is dedicated to helping girls with ADHD. All of our team are experienced in working with women and girls of all ages who suspect they may have ADHD.

Sharron Amri
Nurse Specialist

Sharron Amri

Sharron Amri

Nurse Specialist

Sharron has a rich history as a nurse specialist in mental health, spanning over four decades. She has dedicated herself to the holistic care of individuals facing a wide spectrum of mental health challenges. Her journey in nursing has taken her through many diverse healthcare settings, where she has refined her skills and deepened an understanding of mental health.

Throughout her career, Sharron has worked closely with individuals from various age groups and cultural backgrounds, including those whose symptoms may suggest underlying ADHD yet remain undiagnosed. She is deeply committed to creating a supportive and non-judgmental environment where individuals feel safe to explore their mental health concerns, regardless of whether they have received a formal diagnosis.

Sharron's dedication to mental health nursing is rooted in a continuous pursuit of knowledge and innovation, remaining steadfast in staying updated on the latest advancements in ADHD assessment and treatment. Sharron firmly believes in the importance of recognising and valuing the diversity of human cognition and behaviour, fostering a culture of acceptance and support for individuals across the neurodiversity spectrum.

Beyond direct patient care she is an established senior leader with a reputation for developing high quality, well regarded, and innovative specialist mental health services. A pioneer behind driving change within organisational culture and attitudes around restrictive practices.

Sharron Amri
Andy Sutton
Clinical Lead / NMP

Andy Sutton

Andy Sutton

Clinical Lead / NMP

Nurse specialist, Andy Sutton has extensive experience working in various mental health settings both with young people and adults. This has included both inpatient and community settings. During his nursing career, Andy has developed a keen interest in learning about neurodevelopmental difficulties, and the person specific way these can present in people. Through cumulative experience, Andy has learned that people are able to make significant changes, and improve their quality of life alongside collaborative and supportive intervention. It is this with this belief that Andy feels passionate about delivering care to the highest standard.

Andy understands the potential magnitude of ADHD symptoms, its effect on self confidence, the inability to reach full potential, and negative impact on family/social dynamics. With this in mind, Andy works hard to reassure patients, and normailse some of their stressful and distressing lived experiences.

Andy feels confident when engaging all types of people and aims to ensure that the ADHD assessment process feels safe, informative, and supportive. Andy takes great pride in his clinical work, and aims to ensure that patients feel that their experience with the clinic is worthwhile irrespective of the outcome.

Andy Sutton

Bespoke treatment
support pathway

We offer a supportive ongoing treatment support plan to people where treatment therapy is clinically recommended.

If this is the route for you, we will ensure you have a good understanding of treatment for ADHD including possible effects and side effects.

We will initiate and titrate treatment over the course of the next few months until we agree on the optimum treatment which feels right for you.

We offer treatment reviews monthly to ensure we can monitor your physical and mental health as well as reviewing your response to treatment.

We use objective outcome measures to gain a greater understanding of symptom control over time. This helps guide our decisions about what treatment suits you better. Our main focus however is to be guided by your experiences. We will listen to your experiences and deliver a ongoing treatment support plan to suit your needs.

Ongoing support package

If you’d like continued support following the assessment, you can choose to access our ongoing guidance package. This provides regular check ins with a practitioner, space to discuss how things are going, explore helpful strategies and ask questions as you navigate the next steps.

What’s included

  • Regular check-in appointments
  • Space to discuss progress, challenges or questions
  • Practical suggestions and supportive guidance
  • Access to our team for reassurance between sessions
  • Flexibility to book additional sessions if needed

Ā£199/mover 6 months-or-Ā£1100one-off

Accessing our services

There are two simple ways to get in touch with us. You can call our team using the number below, or complete the enquiry form and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

Call us

If you’d like to speak with a member of our team, our phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am–5.30pm.

We’re here to answer your questions and guide you through the next steps.

Email us

If you prefer to email, you’re welcome to send us more information and we’ll respond as soon as possible.

or

We can call you

While selecting your county is entirely optional, this helps us understand where our services are most needed, so we can make assessment and treatment more accessible to everyone