Awareness of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in women is growing, yet many continue to go undiagnosed until adulthood. For decades, ADHD was viewed primarily as a condition affecting boys, leaving countless girls without recognition or support.
ADHD, which affects roughly 5% of the Irish population, impacts brain functions related to planning, focus, and task execution. Core symptoms include poor concentration, impulsivity, hyperactivity, disorganization, and emotional challenges. While often obvious in boys, the signs in girls can appear more subtle—such as excessive people-pleasing, masking, or heightened empathy.
Three Irish women who received their ADHD diagnoses later in life shared their experiences of missed warning signs, the challenges they faced, and how recognition changed their lives.
Paula Rave: “ADHD was never spoken about”
Secondary school teacher Paula Rave grew up in Dublin as what she calls “a ball of energy.” Despite her mother raising concerns with doctors when Paula was a toddler, the behaviors were dismissed as determination rather than ADHD.
At school, Paula was described as “excessively chatty” and eager to please—traits now recognized as common among girls with ADHD. While she thrived in activities that captured her interest, she struggled with academic focus and carried a deep sense of empathy that often left her emotionally drained.
Only as an adult, after recognizing similar traits in her son, did Paula pursue an assessment. A psychologist confirmed her ADHD, and courses with ADHD Ireland gave her tools to better manage her energy and emotions.
Paula now relies on exercise, naps, and art therapy to maintain balance. Still, she grieves the opportunities lost due to late diagnosis. “My education was impacted. I think, imagine if I had been able to manage myself better,” she reflects. Yet she views her condition as a strength: “I’d never change myself. This is the only brain I’ve ever known, and I like how it operates.”
Vikki Martin: “I always knew I was different”
For presenter and events manager Vikki Martin, the signs were evident as early as six years old. Growing up in the 1990s, ADHD was rarely discussed in relation to girls. She recalls masking her struggles by being chatty and funny, hiding her sense of not fitting in.
Racing thoughts, difficulty managing daily tasks, and academic challenges followed her into adulthood. It wasn’t until she was pregnant during lockdown that she began researching her symptoms, leading to an ADHD diagnosis at 38.
Vikki describes feeling both relief and grief: “I mourned the young girl who had to suffer for so long.” Yet, she also recognizes the strengths ADHD brings, such as creativity, quick thinking, and resilience.
She stresses the importance of diagnosis, particularly for women who may still be struggling in silence. “There’s a whole lost generation out there. A diagnosis gives you the freedom to be honest and kind to yourself.”
A Call for Greater Awareness
Experts and advocates continue to warn that ADHD remains underdiagnosed in women and girls. Symptoms often present differently from the stereotypical hyperactive boy, leading many women to spend years compensating or masking their struggles.
For both Paula and Vikki, late diagnosis brought not only answers but also self-acceptance. They emphasize that while ADHD presents challenges, it also comes with unique strengths—if women are given the recognition and tools they need.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
Missouri Cuts Tax on Period Underwear, Diapers to Ease Costs
Weight Loss Key to Effective PCOS Management, Experts Say
Mediterranean Diet May Ease Menopausal Symptoms, Study Finds
