Millions of people worldwide suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a neurodevelopmental disorder. Due to the historical predominance of male perspectives on ADHD, many people have misconceptions on how it manifests in females. Due to the fact that many women with ADHD go untreated or are misdiagnosed, this gender bias has serious repercussions that affect many aspects of their lives. The purpose of this introduction is to provide some insight into the distinct way that women with ADHD present, the social and cultural aspects that lead to the underdiagnoses, and the urgent need to address this problem in order to enhance the lives of women who have ADHD.

The hallmarks of ADHD are impulsivity, hyperactivity, and persistent patterns of inattention that impede daily functioning or development. Each person experiences the illness in a distinct way, with mild to severe symptoms. Although ADHD is frequently identified in children, it is a chronic illness that affects people well into adulthood. ADHD has traditionally been linked primarily to hyperactive young males who find it difficult to concentrate in class. Because of this image, the disease is generally understood in a restricted way that ignores the experiences of girls and women. The notion that ADHD is a "boy's disorder," with boys receiving diagnoses at somewhat higher rates than girls, is a result of the male-centric conceptualization of the condition. This discrepancy, however, does not necessarily indicate a real variation in prevalence; rather, it draws attention to the limitations of diagnostic standards that fall short in explaining how ADHD manifests in females.