Women are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD later in life due to gender biases, male-oriented diagnostic criteria, and differences in symptom presentation.
This often results in years of misdiagnosis, self-blame, and missed opportunities for support.
Understanding the unique challenges women face in obtaining an ADHD diagnosis is crucial for improving early detection, providing appropriate interventions, and mitigating the long-term negative impacts on mental health,self-esteem, and overall life outcomes.
Key Points
Rationale
This study addresses a significant gap in research on women’s lived experiences of late ADHD diagnosis in adulthood.
Understanding women’s perspectives has been identified as crucial for improving outcomes for women with ADHD (Chronis-Tuscano, 2022).
Previous research has shown thatlate diagnosisis associated with detrimental impacts on women’s self-esteem, mental health, identity, and life chances (Attoe & Climie, 2023; Gershon, 2002; Stenner et al., 2019; Young et al., 2008).
However, there is limited qualitative research exploring the impact of late diagnosis on women’s lives from their own perspectives.
Method
The study employed aqualitative approach using narrative interviews. Fifty-two women aged 19-56 who had been diagnosed with ADHD as adults participated in the study.
Interviews were conducted online via Microsoft Teams between March 2022 and March 2023. The interviews lasted an average of 1 hour and 15 minutes and were transcribed verbatim.
Thematic analysis was used to generate themes from the data.
Sample
The majority of participants were university students, with some having completed their studies and working.
Over half of the participants identified as white. Many reported co-occurring conditions and previous contact with mental health providers.
Results
The study identified six main themes:
“The things I used to do, like study last minute and panic cram, was no longer working in higher education, my grades started to drop, and I couldn’t balance the deadlines anymore.”- Rachel
“Seeking medical care as a person with ADHD is not ADHD friendly.” – Participant quote
“Getting the diagnosis was a big thing for me. I understand my life now, I feel that I have got the power back; I have an opportunity to rebuild, unlearn a lot of things that I’ve thought about myself, try to get back some confidence.” – Sharon
“I look back on what I went through as a child and I am so angry and bitter about it, I was crying out for help. My life has been harder than it needed to be.” – Esther
“It is so painful, I am finding it hard to cope with, there are 42 years of pain that I must deal with, and no support and I am fearful of people’s reactions to it and their judgements. I was just offered medication and that was it, no support.” – Kate
“Girls are always expected to be perfect and not a problem, and boys making mistakes is fine. Girls are better at hiding things to fit in with this idea.” – Jenny
Insight and Depth
This study provides insights into the lived experiences of women diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood.
It highlights the complex interplay of gender, societal expectations, and healthcare systems in the late diagnosis of ADHD in women.
The research reveals the profound impact of late diagnosis on women’s lives, including mental health struggles, academic difficulties, and challenges in relationships and self-perception.
The study also sheds light on the inadequacies in post-diagnosis support and the need for specialized psychologicalinterventions for women with ADHD.
Strengths
This study had several methodological strengths, including:
Limitations
This study also had several methodological limitations, including:
Implications
The findings of this study have several important implications:
Conclusion
This study provides crucial insights into the experiences of women diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood.
It highlights the significant impact of late diagnosis on women’s lives and the challenges they face in seeking diagnosis and support.
The research underscores the need for increased awareness, improved diagnostic processes, and better post-diagnosis support for women with ADHD.
Future research should continue to explore the experiences of diverse groups of women with ADHD and evaluate interventions designed to address the unique needs of this population.
Understanding and addressing the complexities of ADHD in women is essential for improving outcomes and quality of life for this often overlooked group.
References
Primary reference
Morgan, J. (2023). Exploring women’s experiences of diagnosis of adhd in adulthood: A qualitative study.Advances in Mental Health.Advance online publication.https://doi.org/10.1080/18387357.2023.2268756
Other references
Attoe, D. E., & Climie, E. A. (2023). Miss. Diagnosis: a systematic review of ADHD in adult women.Journal of attention disorders,27(7), 645-657.https://doi.org/10.1177/10870547231161533
Chronis‐Tuscano, A. (2022). ADHD in girls and women: a call to action–reflections on Hinshaw et al.(2021).Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry,63(4), 497-499.https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.13574
Gershon, J., & Gershon, J. (2002). A meta-analytic review of gender differences in ADHD.Journal of attention disorders,5(3), 143-154.https://doi.org/10.1177/10870547020050030
Stenner, P., O’Dell, L., & Davies, A. (2019). Adult women and ADHD: On the temporal dimensions of ADHD identities.Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour,49(2), 179-197.https://doi.org/10.1111/jtsb.12198
Young, S., Adamo, N., Ásgeirsdóttir, B. B., Branney, P., Beckett, M., Colley, W., … & Woodhouse, E. (2020). Females with ADHD: An expert consensus statement taking a lifespan approach providing guidance for the identification and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in girls and women.BMC psychiatry,20, 1-27.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-02707-9
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Saul McLeod, PhD
BSc (Hons) Psychology, MRes, PhD, University of Manchester
Saul McLeod, PhD., is a qualified psychology teacher with over 18 years of experience in further and higher education. He has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Clinical Psychology.
Olivia Guy-Evans, MSc
BSc (Hons) Psychology, MSc Psychology of Education
Olivia Guy-Evans is a writer and associate editor for Simply Psychology. She has previously worked in healthcare and educational sectors.
