ADHD & Me

Written by Erin Cecil & Emma Lohan

Edited by Christine Boyd

Background

We created this information resource as part of a group project on the module ‘Neuropsychology’ (coordinated by Assoc Prof Michelle Downes), one of the core modules on our MSc in Cognitive Science at UCD. This resource is specifically designed for young women with ADHD, although anyone will benefit from learning more about this condition and how it affects those with a diagnosis.

We became aware during our studies of the discrepancy in diagnosis between males and females with ADHD (1). Generally, it is believed that ADHD is more common in males, and despite childhood prevalence of ADHD reporting more males than females, this discrepancy is greatly reduced in adulthood (2). Moreover, ADHD is less understood and less researched in females, with diagnoses often missed in early years (3,4). Researchers have reported that this may be caused by females being better at masking, and being more likely to present with the inattentive subtype, which often goes unnoticed during development, being less obvious than the hyperactivity/impulsivity subtypes (2, 4, 5, 6).

Therefore, since ADHD in girls is not well understood, and under researched, we wanted to develop an online resource that aims to assist girls who are beginning their journey to adulthood in understanding their diagnosis, be informed on how to manage symptoms, and navigate the possible obstacles they may face.

Access to resource

https://digistorytelling.wixsite.com/adhd-and-me

References

1.     Waite R. (2010). Women with ADHD: It is an explanation, not the excuse du jour. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, 46(3), 182–196. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6163.2010.00254.x

2.     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

3.     Mowlem F. D., Rosenqvist M. A., Martin J., Lichtenstein P., Asherson P., Larsson H. (2018). Sex differences in predicting ADHD clinical diagnosis and pharmacological treatment. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 28, 481–489. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-018-1211-3

4.     Young, S., Adamo, N., Ásgeirsdóttir, B. B., Branney, P., Beckett, M., Colley, W., Cubbin, S., Deeley, Q., Farrag, E., Gudjónsson, G. H., Hill, P., Hollingdale, J., Kılıç, Ö., Lloyd, T., Mason, P. R., Paliokosta, E., Perecherla, S., Sedgwick, J., Skirrow, C., . . . 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). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-02707-9

5.     Quinn P. O., Madhoo M. (2014). A review of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in women and girls: Uncovering this hidden diagnosis. The Primary Care Companion For CNS Disorders, 16(3), eng1015475322155. https://doi.org/10.4088/PCC.13r01596

6.     Quinn, P., & Wigal, S. (2004). Perceptions of girls and ADHD: results from a national survey. Medscape General Medicine, 6(2), 2.