Women with ADHD:Between Diagnostic Invisibility and Psychosocial Overload. Analysis of the Determinants of Late Diagnosis from a Pedagogical Perspective
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/SPI.2026.3.009Keywords
ADHD in women, late diagnosis, educational difficulties, masking, diagnostic process, sociocultural factorsAbstract
For many years, ADHD was perceived primarily as a disorder affecting boys, which contributed to the limited recognition of its symptoms in girls and women. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the specific functioning of women with ADHD and the factors influencing late diagnosis.
This article examines the determinants of late diagnosis of ADHD in women and the psychosocial consequences of delayed diagnosis. The aim of this study was to analyze the current state of knowledge regarding factors associated with the underdiagnosis of ADHD in women, with particular emphasis on the specificity of the female ADHD phenotype, the phenomenon of symptom masking, and the importance of social and cultural factors in the diagnostic process.
The research focused on the question of what mechanisms contribute to late diagnosis of ADHD in women and what psychosocial consequences are associated with functioning for many years without a diagnosis and adequate support.
This article is a theoretical review. A narrative review of the scientific literature published between 2015 and 2025 was used. Empirical articles, reviews, and expert opinions from the Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar databases were analyzed, addressing ADHD in women, gender differences in the presentation of the disorder, and the diagnostic process.
The results of the analysis indicate that late diagnosis of ADHD in women is the result of the coexistence of specific symptoms, compensatory and masking strategies, gender stereotypes, and diagnostic patterns based primarily on the male ADHD phenotype. Delayed diagnosis is associated with a greater risk of emotional difficulties, reduced self-esteem, educational and professional problems, and the comorbidity of other mental disorders. The findings emphasize the need to consider gender differences in diagnostics, increase professional awareness, and develop initiatives that promote earlier diagnosis of ADHD in girls and women.
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