Understanding and harnessing differences in women with ADHD: A qualitative study

Women with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are often misunderstood which is reinforced by deficit-focused research and gendered societal expectations that overlook neurodivergent women. Grounded in the neurodiversity approach, this work views ADHD as a cognitive difference, not deficit. Authors recognise the importance of sharing and understanding these differences as they can harness achievements, empowerment, self-advocacy skills and identity acceptance. This study invited 11 women with ADHD, to share their voices to contribute to a holistic understanding of ADHD in women with particular focus on how differences can facilitate rewarding and positive experiences. Reflexive thematic analysis identified four themes: (1) Social and communication differences can facilitate positive relationships in women with ADHD; (2) Rewarding experiences in women with ADHD are driven by differences, not deficits; (3) ADHD diagnoses in women can be ‘massive’ for identity sense-making and (4) Gendered challenges create barriers to support for women with ADHD (subtheme: Language can reinforce harmful and stigmatised views of ADHD in women). This work will facilitate improved outcomes for women with ADHD by sharing their differences, and how society can adapt to harness these differences through more gender-sensitive approaches.

Lay abstract: Women with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) experience challenges that are different to men with ADHD. 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. It is important that this changes, because we know this can be beneficial for women with ADHD. Benefits include improved self-esteem, reduced stigma and improved support and understanding women with ADHD. Therefore, this study interviews 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.