Condition
ADHD in Women
ADHD in women is widely underdiagnosed. Where men more often show hyperactive and impulsive symptoms — which are easier to spot — women tend to present with inattention, internalised symptoms, and a learned ability to mask.
Why it gets missed
Quiet kids get called shy. Strict routines look like good habits. Sensitivity gets ignored. And life just… continues — until something changes (a new job, a loss, a relationship) and the ways you were coping stop working.
Many women learn to mask — copying others, fitting in, working twice as hard to look organised. They are often better at hiding their symptoms, sometimes even from themselves. Most autistic and ADHD women remain undiagnosed by age 18; many only find out in their thirties — after years of anxiety, exhaustion, or wrong diagnoses.
What an assessment looks like
At IASO, we assess adults — including people who have been masking for years and never knew it. A proper assessment takes time and cannot be completed in a single session. We use structured clinical interviews, validated tools, and review of life history to build a complete picture.
For many women, a diagnosis is a relief. It finally explains things that never made sense before.
How we treat ADHD at IASO
Treatment begins with a thorough psychiatric assessment to understand the full picture — your development history, your reported symptoms from childhood through to adulthood, and what you actually need.
Care may include screening and a comprehensive neuropsychiatric assessment. Everything is discussed openly, and all treatment options are explored together to reach a mutually agreed treatment plan.