In a world that often views ADHD through the lens of hyperactive boys, the silent struggle of women with ADHD remains largely invisible. It’s a narrative that needs to be revisited as many women grapple with this misunderstood and frequently overlooked mental health issue.

The Overlooked Reality of ADHD in Women

ADHD in women has long been overshadowed by the misconception that it’s a condition exclusive to men or boys. This gender bias in perception and diagnosis has led to countless women suffering in silence, often misdiagnosed or dismissed. Women with ADHD aren’t just dealing with the symptoms of the disorder; they’re also battling societal ignorance and stereotypes.

Symptoms in Women: The Silent Signals

Women with ADHD often exhibit symptoms that are less overt and more internalized compared to their male counterparts:

Inattention Over Hyperactivity: While hyperactivity is the hallmark of ADHD in boys, women are likelier to experience inattention. This can manifest as difficulty in concentrating, disorganization, and forgetfulness.

Many women with ADHD struggle with intense emotions, anxiety, and depression. These emotional aspects can mask the underlying ADHD, leading to misdiagnosis or underdiagnosis.

The Compensatory Mask: Women often develop compensatory strategies to cope with their symptoms. Perfectionism, overworking, and an excessive focus on details are common. These mechanisms, while helpful in masking ADHD, can lead to increased stress and anxiety.

Empathy and Understanding: Breaking the Stigma

It’s crucial to foster an environment of empathy and understanding. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by women with ADHD is the first step in breaking the stigma. Empathy from family, friends, and healthcare providers can make a world of difference in the lives of women battling ADHD.

Seeking Support and Advocacy

If you or someone you know is showing signs of ADHD, seeking support is vital. A correct diagnosis can be life-changing, opening doors to effective treatment and management strategies. Advocacy and education about ADHD in women are also key in changing the narrative and ensuring that women receive the support and understanding they deserve.

Remember: ADHD in women is often a hidden challenge, but with increased awareness and understanding, we can ensure that women receive the attention and care they deserve. By shining a light on this often-overlooked condition, we can pave the way for better understanding, treatment, and support for women struggling with ADHD. 

The Journey to Diagnosis: A Road Less Traveled

The path to a proper ADHD diagnosis in women is fraught with challenges. The lack of awareness among healthcare professionals about how ADHD presents in women often leads to their struggles being minimized or attributed to other causes. This delay in diagnosis not only hampers effective treatment but also affects self-esteem and mental health.

Your mental health is worth more than a 60-second quiz. A professional ADHD assessment is key to understanding your brain, and ADHD Online offers affordable, accessible mental health evaluation from licensed psychologists. Start your journey with expert guidance provided at ADHD Online – take the Diagnostic Evaluation to uncover and harness your ADHD strengths.

Kim is a currently serving her first term representating Minnesota’s District 25A. Beyond her political role, she’s active on TikTok, candidly sharing her experiences as both a legislator and someone with ADHD. Kim’s journey with ADHD began in fourth grade when she was initially tested for dyslexia. Despite facing challenges, she discovered the benefits of structured programs while she was working at a local group home. 

Kim doesn’t consider herself to be a typical politician but she’s working on making space for herself, driven by a desire for a more diverse and inclusive legislature that truly represents the people of Minnesota. In her current role, Kim leverages her ADHD strengths and relies on a strong support system to navigate the demanding responsibilities of her job, fueled by a deep commitment to creating inclusive communities for individuals with disabilities.

Follow Kim on TikTok here. 

Magaly Sandoval’s lifelong relationship with ADHD began in childhood when she was diagnosed at a young age. Despite excelling academically, her impulsivity, difficulty with social situations, and rapid task completion with missed instructions signaled her ADHD challenges. As she matured, Magaly recognized the profound impact of ADHD on various aspects of her life, including bouncing between hobbies and jobs, facing academic struggles, and navigating personal relationships. 

This realization served as a wake-up call, prompting her to embrace a slowed-down life focused on continuous learning, such as exploring languages and training her puppy. Magaly acknowledges the positive aspects of her ever-changing pursuits, highlighting the valuable skills she gains with each new endeavor, contributing to her ongoing journey toward a more peaceful and fulfilling life.

Refocused, Together is a collection of 31 stories told throughout the 31 days of October, a part of our commitment to ADHD Awareness Month. Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts so you don’t miss a single story this month!

By Mary Fetzer

In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in the diagnosis of ADHD in adults, with a particular rise in women receiving diagnoses. This has led to important discussions about the potential overdiagnosis of adult ADHD. Mental health experts caution against this line of thinking, however, and explain why the increase in diagnoses is more than just a temporary trend.

Why ADHD Diagnoses Are on the Rise

Dr. Ryan Sultan, a psychiatrist, therapist and an assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University, says there are multiple factors contributing to the rise in adult ADHD diagnoses.

• More Information and Awareness

“Greater awareness and education about ADHD, particularly in adult women, have led to more individuals recognizing their symptoms and seeking professional evaluation,” Sultan says.

Psychotherapist Leanna Greenberg, who practices in New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts, agrees and stresses that if the surge in ADHD diagnoses is only a temporary trend, that doesn’t make the diagnoses any less legitimate.

“Things that trend are things that resonate with people, things they identify with,” she says. “There’s something about attention, impulsivity and the emotional constellation that’s described with an ADHD diagnosis that’s speaking to people.”

The spotlight on adult ADHD seems to have increased awareness all around.

“We tend to see a lot more of something when we’re primed for it,” Greenberg says. “People — help-seekers and providers alike — are primed for ADHD right now and more likely to see the symptoms.”

• Better Diagnostics and Assessments

As more research on adult ADHD is conducted and information and awareness grow, the need for guidelines in diagnosing ADHD has become evident.

Medical and mental health providers base ADHD diagnoses on specific criteria outlined in diagnostic manuals, including the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The DSM is a handbook that the American Psychiatric Association created to set out standards for diagnosing various mental health conditions. The most recent version of the DSM is the DSM-5-TR. Another diagnostic manual experts sometimes use is the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, or ICD-10.

The specific criteria outlined in the manuals inform the established procedures health professionals use to diagnose ADHD. Those procedures include comprehensive evaluations that include interviews, behavior rating scales and medical history assessments. Guidelines for diagnosing ADHD in adults, while only just emerging, are contributing to the rise in diagnoses.

“Advances in these diagnostic tools and assessment methods have improved the accuracy of ADHD diagnosis in adults,” Sultan says. “The improvements, combined with continual research, have enabled a broader understanding of ADHD and led to a rise in diagnoses.”

• Previously Missed ADHD Diagnoses

Among school-age children, boys are three times more likely than girls to be diagnosed with ADHD. And because ADHD can persist into adulthood, women who were undiagnosed in childhood may continue to experience symptoms as adults.

The symptoms most often associated with ADHD — hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattentiveness — tend to show up differently in females than in males, according to research.

“Historically, this is why ADHD has been underdiagnosed in women and girls,” Sultan says. “But increasingly, the recognition of gender differences in the way ADHD presents is playing a role in rising diagnoses.”

Women, along with their health care providers, are becoming more likely than before to consider ADHD as the source of behaviors such as forgetfulness, talkativeness, fidgeting or difficulties with time management. In prior years, women and their providers might have attributed such symptoms to other causes.

• Consideration of Comorbidities

“Many adults seeking ADHD diagnoses may also have co-occurring mental health conditions, such as anxiety or depression,” Sultan says. “This can complicate the clinical picture.”

In fact, experts believe half or more of people with ADHD also suffer from one or more accompanying mental health conditions — what are called “comorbidities.”

Sometimes, that has meant providers have evaluated symptoms and diagnosed only the non-ADHD condition. A provider should consider all symptoms. That will — in some cases — correctly lead to diagnoses of both ADHD and other mental health conditions.

It Matters How the Rise in Diagnoses Is Framed

The increasing prevalence of ADHD in adult women is not evidence of overdiagnosis, according to Julie Landry, a clinical psychologist specializing in the assessment of ADHD and autism in adults.

“The idea of ADHD as a trend and intentional feigning of symptoms in order to access stimulant medication have been cited as concerns for the rise in ADHD diagnoses,” she says. “But empirical evidence suggests that this increase is due to the evolution of diagnostic criteria and the increased awareness of ADHD within marginalized populations, including females.”

Greenberg says there will always be “bad actors” who seek a diagnosis not because they have ADHD but for some more nefarious reason, such as having access to stimulant medication.

“To achieve a legitimate ADHD diagnosis from a licensed professional, someone must be experiencing functional impairment,” she says. “The purpose of the diagnosis is to access resources to alleviate that impairment.”

Despite the talk of overdiagnoses, adult ADHD remains underdiagnosed, many experts believe. And Landry says that’s why it’s important to frame the rise in ADHD diagnoses as the positive thing that it is.

“Undiagnosed ADHD significantly impacts mental health, physical health and functioning in occupational, academic and social situations,” Landry says. “Focusing on possible overdiagnosis of ADHD will likely be harmful, creating barriers to accessing care and increasing stigma, especially among females and marginalized communities.”

Today’s guest Rach Burton struggled to access information about ADHD in the months after her diagnosis. So she jumped into researching the condition on her own and then started sharing what she learned on social media. Today, Rach is a mental health advocate focused on improving access to resources and encouraging medical professionals to become more aware of the needs of the Deaf ADHD community. As a mom of two, she hopes to continue fostering greater understanding and acceptance for future generations through meaningful conversations. 

Refocused, Together is a collection of 31 stories told throughout the 31 days of October, a part of our commitment to ADHD Awareness Month. Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts so you don’t miss a single story this month! 

Connect with Rach Burton on her website SuchALovelyRed.com and on Instagram and TikTok. 

READ: Why Transitions are Hard When You Have ADHD

Listen in to hear Katy share her ADHD experience and “pandemic mom meltdown” diagnosis, and get more about how she helps countless individuals with ADHD find hope, inspiration, and practical tools to help them thrive.

Connect with Katy Weber online:

Women and ADHD 

Women and ADHD on Instagram

Katy Weber on Instagram

The ADHD Lounge

READ: CHADD talks ADHD Coaching + Resources to Help You On Your Search

Women with ADHD are at a higher risk than women without ADHD to be diagnosed with postpartum depression (PPD), according to a recent study conducted in Sweden. Researchers found that mothers with ADHD who have no history of depression are 24% more likely to be diagnosed with PPD than mothers without ADHD who have no history of depression.

The Study

Postpartum depression can happen during pregnancy or the first year after a mother gives birth. It can include strong feelings of worry, sadness, shame and fear. It is the most common complication after having a baby, affecting about one in seven mothers who are pregnant or have recently given birth.

More than 77,000 pregnant women participated in the Swedish study to determine whether pre-pregnancy ADHD was correlated with a risk of developing PPD. Those with ADHD were compared to those without ADHD. And the researchers considered — and removed any possible effects from — the participants’ race and ethnicity, social vulnerability, maternal age, single or multiple births, and whether they reported substance use, food scarcity, intimate partner violence and stress. The rate of PPD diagnoses was 6.4% among mothers with an ADHD diagnosis versus 5.2% among mothers without an ADHD diagnosis.

The researchers’ work was prompted by both a March 2023 study that found an increase in ADHD diagnoses among women of childbearing age and 2018 research from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that self-reported postpartum depression symptoms were increasing.

Living with ADHD means managing symptoms like impulsivity, inattention and emotional regulation issues on a daily basis. During the postpartum period, these challenges can be amplified by hormonal fluctuations, sleep deprivation, disrupted routines and the additional stressors of caring for a newborn. All of this can contribute to feelings of overwhelm, anxiety and depression. Women from the Swedish study diagnosed with PPD described struggles with overwhelming sadness, anxiety and a sense of disconnect from their newborn.

Real Mom Experiences

Daniela Aachen, a travel expert and co-founder of Discover Italy, based in Berlin, Germany, has ADHD and experienced postpartum depression after the birth of her child.

“As a woman with ADHD, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to manage the stressors of life while also managing symptoms of a mental health disorder,” she says. “I was fortunate enough to have a good support system in place after my child was born to help me cope with the feelings of depression I was having, but I know that not all women with ADHD are so lucky.

Aachen believes it makes sense that women with ADHD are more likely to experience PPD.

“Women with ADHD can feel overwhelmed as a result of the shift in lifestyle that often occurs after having a baby, and there can be a lack of understanding from partners or friends,” she says. “My ADHD symptoms were heightened, and I struggled more with organization and staying on task.”

Ginelle Krummey is a licensed clinical mental health counselor at Growth Point Collaborative Counseling and Group Facilitation in Marshall, S.C. She’s also the mom of a one-year-old who experienced the interaction of ADHD and PPD.

“I do not have severe ADHD, but I do have neurodivergent traits,” she says. “I experience

plenty of ADHD struggles: impulsiveness, prioritization difficulties, low frustration tolerance, problems following through, errors in executive functioning and hyperfocus.”

The responsibilities of caring for a newborn clashed with Krummey’s typical approach to getting things done, which she describes as a more spontaneous and follow-your-nose approach, doing one thing after the other in a string of impulses.

“Doing this with a child was nearly impossible,” she says. “With the brain fog of hormonal shifts and resulting emotional instability from loss of sleep, nothing felt good or satisfying.”

Krummey says these feelings led to depression, and she would reach the end of each day feeling let down by her circumstances.

“I found myself grieving that I hadn’t done anything I considered valuable,” she says. “It was impossible to be satisfied by the miraculous reality that I was keeping a child alive with my body alone because there was a new set of demands impeding my ability to follow my own interests.”

Recognizing the Symptoms of PPD

Postpartum depression can interfere with a mother’s ability to care for her baby and handle other daily tasks. There are many symptoms; and while they often occur immediately after someone gives birth, they can appear during pregnancy or for up to a year after delivery.

• Depressed mood, severe mood swings or crying too much
• Difficulty bonding with baby
• Withdrawing from family and friends
• Inability to sleep or sleeping too much
• Overwhelming tiredness or loss of energy
• Intense irritability and anger
• Hopelessness
• Feelings of worthlessness, shame, guilt or inadequacy
• Reduced ability to think clearly, concentrate or make decisions
• Restlessness
• Severe anxiety and panic attacks
• Thoughts of self-harm or harming the baby
• Recurring thoughts of death or suicide

Left untreated, PPD can last for months.

Getting Support

Not all women with ADHD will experience PPD, and there are steps that can be taken to manage symptoms, says Aachen. Those steps include seeking help from mental health professionals and engaging in supportive activities like attending therapy or support groups. Focusing on coping strategies and developing healthy relationships can create an environment of support and understanding that helps mothers manage their mental health, she says.

“I found comfort in talking to other mothers who had gone through similar experiences and this helped me feel less alone,” Aachen says. “It gave me strength and helped me to manage my feelings of depression. Not only did I have a better understanding of how to cope, but I also had an invaluable support system in place.”

Ila Dayananda is chief medical officer and obstetrician at Oula Health maternity clinics in New York City. She says that, while every mind is unique, it’s important to understand that ADHD is a significant risk factor to consider for postpartum depression.

“Every woman — but especially those with known risk factors like ADHD — can benefit from a solid support system of family, friends and medical professionals, particularly in the postpartum period,” Dayananda says. “Consultation from not just an OB/GYN but also a mental health professional can offer necessary guidance, diagnosis and resources.”

Amy Braun, a licensed clinical professional counselor with a private practice in Chicago, encourages women who are having issues to look for care designed for new moms.

“The good news is that there are perinatal mental health-certified therapists who specialize in working with new moms with both ADHD and postpartum depression,” she says. “ADHD symptoms during the postpartum period are unique and can have different presentations. It is important that moms with ADHD know that there is help and they can feel better.”

By Diana Kelly Levey

An editorial recently published in the Journal of Attention Disorders highlights a significant spike in ADHD stimulant prescriptions from 2016 to 2021 — with an especially steep increase from 2020 to 2021. And, the data shows, that spike was especially pronounced among women.

The editorial’s authors suggest the increase in these prescription stimulants could be due to a number of factors. Factors include overall efforts to improve education about adult ADHD and expanding access to ADHD care. Other factors include overwhelmed patients seeking treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic and more neurodiversity awareness movements and ADHD information online. And a final factor is likely more companies working with mental health providers and prescribing stimulants online.

The editorial’s authors, and ADHD experts throughout the U.S., are asking other questions about the reasons for the stimulant spike in females. Was it because women bore the brunt of the COVID-19 crisis from an economic standpoint? Was it because mental health issues, including symptoms of anxiety and depression, increased in women during this time?

Or, were doctors prescribing these stimulants to women because they were finally asking for them, or doctors were finally recommending them, after years in which women were underdiagnosed with ADHD?

Stephen P. Hinshaw, PhD, distinguished professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley and author of Straight Talk about ADHD in Girls: How to Help Your Daughter Thrive, says he thinks more stimulants are being prescribed to new populations for a few reasons.

“One, because of a legitimate recognition that women can and do display ADHD,” he says. “Second, the pandemic has placed a premium on self-regulation, fast tasking, and adaptation to new norms of communication and work — all of which are challenges for people — especially women — with ADHD.”

Another possible contributor, Hinshaw says, is people are increasingly able to receive stimulant prescriptions online without an in-depth assessment and careful diagnosis. (Read here about ADHD Online’s comprehensive and rigorous assessment and treatment processes.) A final possible contributor, he says, is that too many medical doctors are most familiar with ADHD medications — and not as familiar with other evidence-based, non-medication treatments for adult ADHD like cognitive behavioral therapy.

Over the past 25 years, things have changed in understanding of ADHD, particularly with more research recognizing that populations other than young boys have it, Dr. Hinshaw says.

“Girls can and do have ADHD in childhood … and girls are more likely than boys to show the exclusively inattentive ‘form’ of this condition,” he says. “Yet it’s precisely such inattentive, distractible, and/or poorly self-regulated behavior patterns that are more likely to persist into adulthood.”

In the past decade or so, experts have increasingly come to understand that many adults have ADHD, even though this neurodevelopmental disorder may not have been recognized during childhood or adolescence. And recognition of ADHD in women has particularly increased, because females have been so underdiagnosed historically.

Dr. Hinshaw says girls may have compensated, “with a lot of family support and with a lot of anxiety, to ‘cope’ with underlying ADHD.

Maura Charles, a product management consultant based in Long Island, N.Y., received an ADHD diagnosis last year — at age 48. She has been trying various treatment options to manage the symptoms.

Some of her symptoms came to light during the pandemic. Charles had difficulty completing household tasks despite the extra time at home, found herself devouring books (and going down research rabbit holes in the process), and struggled with to-do lists. But she now understands that some of those issues had been happening for a long time, as far back as she can remember.

In 2022, after less than a year of working with her, Charles’ psychiatrist suggested an ADHD assessment and found that she was at or above the threshold for all of the behaviors that indicate ADHD.

After receiving her ADHD diagnosis, Charles says, she felt relieved in some ways that her behavior and distracted tendencies “weren’t personal flaws.” It took a while to accept her diagnosis, she says. But after reading a lot about adult ADHD and working with her therapist, she came to truly understand that ADHD is a biological condition that wasn’t linked to her personality.

She also says she felt “angry” that previous therapists and psychiatrists never suggested the possibility of ADHD as they worked with her on managing anxiety throughout her 20s and 30s.

The increase in stimulant prescriptions for women has become especially noticeable over the past several years. But for a decade, the fastest-growing market for ADHD medications has been women, Dr. Hinshaw says.

“That’s largely because of the heretofore hidden nature of ADHD in women, along with delayed recognition until beyond adolescence, when post-secondary education, independence, vocational skills, etc. are at a premium,” he says.

For many years, providers assumed that the problem was “anxiety and/or depression” in women — not ADHD, Dr. Hinshaw says. This turned into a historical failure to recognize ADHD in women, he says.

“But only a trained clinician, experienced in differentiating anxiety and/or depression from ADHD — or realizing that they can occur together — can make the real call for their patient,” he says.

In their Journal of Attention Disorders editorial, the authors wrote: “ADHD needs to now take its rightful and more central place in adult mental healthcare.”

Perhaps it’s starting to and that’s why more stimulant medications were prescribed since 2016.

The editorial authors also hypothesize that the increase in stimulant prescriptions may relate to a wider range of providers writing the prescriptions — including primary care physicians, nurse practitioners and professionals working with online providers.

The authors suggest that high-quality education about ADHD and its symptoms is important as these new groups of providers may be more involved in treating people.

“Despite its prevalence, clinicians rarely receive relevant specialized training, and may have misconceptions about, or not even recognize, adult ADHD,” the editorial authors wrote.

Practitioners must understand that ADHD is typically chronic and persists into adulthood, but is often overshadowed by other conditions and disorders that often come with it — including addiction, depression, anxiety and personality disorders, the authors wrote. Practitioners must also understand that people not traditionally associated with ADHD — women, people of color and older adults — can have it.

Although Charles was prescribed a stimulant at first by her psychiatrist, she experienced adverse side effects and quickly went off it. Soon after, she started taking a nutritional supplement — Rhodiola rosea — upon her psychiatrist’s suggestion and her primary care physician’s supervision.

Some clinical trials have indicated the supplement may have anti-fatigue and anti-anxiety effects. Clinical trials are underway to study any possible positive effects for ADHD.

Charles was already taking the supplement to help with perimenopausal symptoms like night sweats. So her psychiatrist simply increased the dosage. So far, she says, she thinks it’s helped with cognitive functioning, like alertness and attention.

She’s also working on getting help beyond medications and supplements. “I started working with an ADHD coach who specializes in helping adults with ADHD,” she says. “So far, it feels very positive and like a way forward.”

Dr. Hinshaw recommends that adults recently diagnosed with ADHD should talk with their psychiatrists and primary care doctors about medication options, as well as meet with a mental health professional to talk and learn about coping mechanisms. They can also find help online or in-person support groups, and seek help and support through work.

He says people find the best results through a combination of medication plus cognitive behavioral therapy, learning organizational skills and time management, and a balanced lifestyle.

“It’s important that adults diagnosed with ADHD understand that there are clear side effects, and addiction potential, from stimulants,” he says. “So work with a trusted and experienced clinician.”

When looking for lists of famous people with ADHD, you’re likely to find them dominated by men. Even our October 2022 blogpost about well-known ADHDers included only seven women among 22 men.

This disparity may come in part because of the historical disparity in ADHD diagnoses for females. According to CDC data, around 13 percent of boys were diagnosed with ADHD between 2016 and 2019, while only 6 percent of girls received the diagnosis during the same time period.

Girls with ADHD may experience or display symptoms differently than boys. That may be why many females are first diagnosed later in life. It may also be why many females live with undiagnosed and untreated ADHD.

As awareness grows and access to assessment improves, females of all ages may receive a diagnosis that helps them make sense of their challenges — but also their superpowers.

Here are seven more famous females — in addition to those on our first list — who are currently thriving with ADHD:

• Solange Knowles, musician

A Soul Train award winner, Knowles joined the musical group Destiny’s Child as a backup singer at age 15 (the group included her older sister, Beyoncé Knowles). Knowles states in ADDitude magazine that she was diagnosed with ADHD twice. She began writing songs at age 9 and now has several top dance songs in her repertoire. She is also a passionate advocate for ADHD, particularly around racial disparities in diagnosis.

• Lisa Ling, journalist

While filming a TV episode about ADHD for the Oprah Winfrey Network, renowned broadcast journalist Ling started questioning whether she too had the disorder. According to a story from ADDitude magazine, Ling’s own reporting for the show “Our America with Lisa Ling” led her to get an evaluation, and she was diagnosed at the age of 40. She states it was “a little bit of a relief” to understand why she’d been fighting with — and frustrated by — a long-time inability to focus.

• Marta Bota, makeup artist

The NYC-based model turned makeup artist Bota has a two-decades long career in the industry and believes that artistic expression — through makeup — is therapeutic for her. Bota received her diagnosis later in life while pursuing a diagnosis for her young son. She currently runs a large Facebook group — the ADHD Help and Hope Network — to encourage thousands with ADHD via information and inspiration.

• Brookley Wofford, advocate and social media influencer

Diagnosed with ADHD in second grade, Wofford was in a gifted student program and spent a lot of classroom time doodling. During recess, she would withdraw to a corner to read a book instead of engaging with peers. During her career, she’s worked with start-up firms, nonprofits, and Fortune 500 companies and was the first columnist for an online magazine dedicated to empowering women with ADHD.

• Michelle Rodriguez, actress

Perhaps best known for her roles in the popular Fast & Furious films, Rodriguez revealed her ADHD diagnosis in a 2006 interview with Cosmopolitan magazine. While she struggled in high school and for years after, Rodriguez has enjoyed incredible success as an actress, receiving many accolades and awards for her work.

• Mel B, singer/performer

The famous Spice Girls singer has ADHD, along with anxiety, dyslexia and dyspraxia — which is a chronic condition that causes difficulties with motor skills and coordination. Mel B told Paul McKenna’s Positivity Podcast that exercise and meditation are her top ways of coping with her diagnoses. She says these tools help her focus and alleviate her anxiety.

• Simone Biles, gymnast

Olympic medalist Biles says she isn’t ashamed of her ADHD, and she’s comfortable with people knowing she takes medication to help her manage the symptoms. With 32 total Olympic and World Championship gymnastic medals to her name, Biles also was the youngest person to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, an honor bestowed on her in 2022.

More info:

https://www.additudemag.com/slideshows/famous-people-with-adhd/

https://www.additudemag.com/adhd-wonder-women/

https://www.additudemag.com/famous-women-with-adhd-work/

https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/health/g38642452/celebrities-with-adhd/

By Maria Romaszkan

If you’re female and have ADHD and you feel miserable when your period is about to start, you’re not alone. It seems that the menstrual cycle and ADHD affect each other in significant ways, though scientists are still figuring out why.

What is Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder?

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or PMDD, is a mood disorder arising in the premenstrual phase of the menstruation cycle. Often described as a more severe form of premenstrual stress, or PMS, the symptoms can appear one or two weeks before your period starts.

“PMDD affects one in 20 menstruators and is often described as a Jekyll and Hyde condition — where for up to half of every month, the person experiencing PMDD doesn’t recognize who they are,” says Ally Mchugh, a psychotherapist from the United Kingdom and co-founder of The PMDD Collective, a team of mental health professionals focusing on treating PMDD. “It impacts relationships, careers and can destroy a person’s sense of identity and self-esteem. They spend half the month feeling disconnected, angry and lost, then often spend the other half feeling guilt and regret, having to put the pieces of their lives back together, then experiencing anxiety about the next cycle that will come around all too quickly.

Symptoms of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

PMDD is a serious condition that can affect your daily functioning every month, causing severe psychological discomfort, such as:

• Mood swings
• Anxiety
• Irritability or anger
• Depressive episodes
• Brain fog — difficulty concentrating
• Hopelessness
• Feeling tense
• Feeling out of control and overwhelmed
• Suicidal thoughts

Physical symptoms can also be present. They include:

• Fatigue
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Nausea, vomiting
• Breast tenderness
• Stiff and aching body
• Feeling bloated
• Changes in appetite and sleep patterns.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and ADHD

A Jan 2021 study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research shone a light on a connection between ADHD and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. The study looked at women with ADHD after their first childbirth. It found a higher rate of conditions like premenstrual dysphoria and postpartum depression among the study participants, compared to the general population. It also underlined that many women with ADHD may suffer worsened symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

Though science is only starting to look more closely at the connection between these two conditions, people with ADHD have been eager to speak out about these difficulties for a long time.

All of this may relate in part to the known connections between ADHD symptoms and the menstrual cycle. ADHD is associated with dysfunction in the dopamine neurotransmitter system, which experts believe is affected by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle. Research has shown that estrogen levels can affect dopamine levels in the brain, and fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone levels during the menstrual cycle may contribute to changes in ADHD symptoms.

Emerging research suggests that that fluctuation in estrogen during the menstruation cycle can be crucial in how ADHD and premenstrual dysphoric disorder are connected.

“There is an undeniable neurodivergence and PMDD cross-over, but it’s not yet clear why,” says Emily Holloway, a UK-based psychotherapist and the other co-founder of The PMDD Collective. “Estrogen plays an important role in the receptors that produce dopamine and serotonin — so it’s no surprise that when estrogen levels are lower, ADHD symptoms may be increased.”

How To Manage Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder?

Here are some important steps that you can take to help manage PMDD:

• Know your cycle

You can use a mobile app or a calendar to track your cycle and notice when and which symptoms will most likely appear and how long they usually last. This will help you prepare in advance.

You can adjust your plans and avoid stressful events during this period.

Consider making a care box so you have everything you need at hand — food, medicine, favorite blankets, comfort books or movies.

“Living cyclically can be a game changer in managing the impact of PMDD — planning work, social plans and even exercise routine around the menstrual phase,” says Holloway. “Living with premenstrual dysphoria is at times excruciating; self-care and self-compassion are vital.”

• Mind your diet and sleep

A healthy and balanced diet may help you manage your premenstrual dysphoric disorder and ADHD symptoms.

You probably crave carbs in the form of sugary treats before your period. However, avoid processed foods and refined sugars, and reach for healthier alternatives, such as whole grains or protein. They will help you keep your energy levels and mood more consistent.

Remember also to drink plenty of water and limit coffee and alcohol. What’s more, try reducing the amount of salt in your diet to avoid excessive fluid retention.

Certain vitamins and minerals may help improve your condition, such as:

• Vitamin B6
• Calcium
• Magnesium

Consult your doctor to see if you should consider taking any supplements.

• Engage in regular physical activity

Regular physical activity can help improve your mood and manage ADHD symptoms, as it boosts dopamine production and releases endorphins.

Exercise may also be beneficial for premenstrual symptoms, both mental and physical.

You don’t have to start with high-intensity training or running marathons. Light or moderate exercise such as brisk walking, swimming or jogging is a great starting point.

• Find support

It may be embarrassing to talk about your period with friends or family. For trans or nonbinary people, it may also bring up painful emotions connected to their gender and body.

Remember that you don’t have to share anything you’re uncomfortable with, but try to open up about your feelings and needs.

You can also try reaching out to nonprofit organizations, such as the International Association For Premenstrual Disorders, which offers helpful resources and peer support.

• Learn strategies for managing stress

Stress can worsen your symptoms of both ADHD and PMDD, so it’s good to have strategies that help you cope with anxiety and overwhelm.

Try learning a few grounding techniques, such as breathwork or progressive muscle relaxation.

Meditation or yoga are also great ways to self-regulate or come down before bedtime.

If possible, spend time in nature, even if it’s a short walk in a local park.

• Consider medication

There are several types of medication commonly used to treat PMDD.

Antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, can effectively reduce symptoms and are usually the first choice in treating this condition.

It’s also possible to start taking birth control to stop ovulation and fluctuating hormones. This method can give you relief from PMDD symptoms.

If you’re struggling with swelling and bloating during this time, your doctor may prescribe diuretics, commonly known as water pills, to help you expel excess water from your body.

You may also take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, before your period starts to ease pain and cramping.

Be aware that estrogen levels may impact your ADHD medication’s effectiveness, worsening your symptoms. You might talk to your provider about a temporary stop in taking your ADHD medication during thus time, and using other non-medical therapies for help.

• Try therapy

“Therapy really helps take the sting out of the worst PMDD feelings and helps grow resilience and self-awareness,” Holloway says.

Cognitive behavioral therapy has shown especially promising results in helping manage the symptoms.

Certain studies suggest that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy can be helpful as well.