ADHD: why do women like me get diagnosed late?
From nature video
The discussion centers on the late diagnosis of ADHD in women, particularly highlighting Emily Bates' personal experience of receiving her diagnosis at age 34. It emphasizes that women often face a delay of about five years compared to men, which can lead to heightened emotional and functional challenges due to societal stereotypes that overlook female presentations of ADHD, commonly associated with inattention and procrastination rather than the more visible hyperactivity.
Key Takeaways
- Delayed ADHD diagnoses for women often lead to years of misattributed laziness and anxiety – a double whammy.
- While boys' ADHD can be disruptive, girls' symptoms fly under the radar, masked as 'chatty' or 'daydreamy.'
- Women with ADHD face unique setbacks, including higher rates of anxiety and depression before receiving proper diagnosis.
- Hormonal fluctuations may exacerbate ADHD symptoms in women, yet research lags behind due to historical oversight.
- The 'model student' stereotype can keep ADHD hidden in women, creating a facade that masks real struggles.
Mentioned in This Episode
- Brian Bates (person)
- Dr. Jessica Agnew-Blais (person)
- Eve Holden (person)
- Helena Kobayashi-Wood (person)
- 2023 TikTok Study (event)