‘Understanding and harnessing differences in women with ADHD: A qualitative study’ by Dr Lauren Powell, Sarah Bradley, Izabela Parzych and Jessica Platts has been published in Neurodiversity Journal.
Their study outlines some important takeaways:
- Communication differences, not deficits, can help women create meaningful relationships
- They recommend impulsivity be reframed as ‘adaptive risk taking, as ‘impulsive’ actions can be positive depending on the context such as being spontaneous and booking a last minute holiday
- Self identity, ADHD can play a big part in making sense of one’s identity
- Language matters, language can make or break stigmatised and gendered views of ADHD in women
- We should recognise the unique challenges and strengths of ADHD in women and change the narrative from deficits to differences
Women with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) experience challenges that are different to men with ADHD. However there is little research around women with ADHD and the research that does exist usually focuses on their deficits, not their differences or how their differences can facilitate positive experiences.
Dr Lauren Powell et al argue that more research into the experiences of women with ADHD will be beneficial for them These benefits include improved self-esteem, reduced stigma and improved support and understanding of women with ADHD.
Their study was based on interviews with 11 women with ADHD about their experiences, with a focus on how differences can facilitate rewarding and positive experiences.
Participants shared how their ADHD-related differences can help them to gain positive life experiences through pursuing hobbies, developing meaningful relationships and making rewarding decisions around their studies and occupations.
Participants also shared challenges they had with gaining their ADHD diagnosis, and others misunderstanding their ADHD which was often reflected through use of negative language by others. By including the lived experience voices in this work, we can improve understanding of the differences experienced by women with ADHD and share how society can adapt to support women with ADHD.
Read the full article in Neurodiversity Journal.