In Women’s Month, the South African Society of Psychiatrists is highlighting how ADHD in women and girls is often misunderstood or missed entirely.
Speaking on Late Edition – SABC News South Africa, Dr. Melane van Zyl explains that while ADHD in boys is usually visible through hyperactivity and impulsive behaviour, girls often internalize symptoms—daydreaming, forgetting, losing things, and striving for perfection to fit in.
These subtle signs can be overlooked, leading to untreated ADHD, which can cause anxiety, depression, and social difficulties.
Symptoms in girls may include inattention, procrastination, difficulty completing tasks, emotional dysregulation, and strained relationships.
ADHD doesn’t disappear in adulthood—yet women are still diagnosed far less often than men. Motherhood can further intensify challenges, as women juggle more responsibilities without adequate support or treatment.