When people imagine ADHD, they often picture restlessness, visible disruption, or academic struggle. But for many high-achieving girls and women, ADHD looks nothing like that. Instead, it hides in plain sight—behind good grades, high performance, responsibility, and a reputation for being organised and reliable. These are the women who appear to “have it all together” while privately using every ounce of energy to cope.

For this group, ADHD isn’t a lack of ability. It’s the invisible mental load required to function at a level that masks the symptoms entirely. And because their struggles don’t match the usual stereotypes, diagnosis is often delayed until adulthood—sometimes long after burnout, anxiety, or exhaustion have already taken hold.

 

The hidden reality of high achievement with ADHD

Many girls with ADHD grow up hearing they’re bright, capable, or mature for their age. And they often are. But high intelligence and strong verbal skills can …