Women With ADHD 'Significantly More Likely' To Have 'Overlooked' Health Condition

Woman on a rock by the riverA recent study led by scientists from Queen Mary University of London, published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, suggests that women with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are “significantly more likely” to have premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).The research, which was based on questionnaire results from 700 women in the UK, asked about participants’ ADHD diagnosis and signs, PMDD symptoms, and indications of combined anxiety and depression. From those surveys, the researchers found that women who had a clinical ADHD diagnosis were three times more likely to experience PMDD.Those whose answers suggested that they had many ADHD symptoms, even though they had not been formally diagnosed, were four times more likely to experience PMDD.The risk was also high for those who had combined depression and anxiety.What is PMDD?PMDD is a more extreme version of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). It can be so severe that it becomes “disabling,” the Mayo Clinic wrote. It can lead to feelings of despair, hopelessness, anxiety, tension, mood swings, anger, and even an increased risk of suicide. Queen Mary University calls the condition “overlooked”; the BBC reports that though PMDD affects about 8% of women, it remains “poorly understood.”The study’s supervisor, Dr Jessica Agnew-Blais, said: “Because ADHD was historically considered a condition that mainly affected boys, many issues specific to females have been overlooked, including associations between ADHD and times of hormonal change.“Our findings emphasise the need to consider issues affecting adult women with ADHD, and more specifically how females with ADHD may be at higher risk for experiencing PMDD.”You should see a GP if your mental health is affecting your daily life.More research is needed Though these results are certainly compelling, they don’t establish why ADHD may be linked to PMDD. The researchers urge clinicians to screen those with ADHD for PMDD symptoms.But Dr Broughton, part of the research team, added: “Our findings also suggest that further research is needed to improve understanding of the link between ADHD and times of hormonal change, including the menstrual cycle, and to reduce health inequalities and diagnostic bias in women and girls with ADHD.”Help and support:Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393.Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill).CALM (the Campaign Against Living Miserably) offer a helpline open 5pm-midnight, 365 days a year, on 0800 58 58 58, and a webchat service.The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email [email protected] Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0808 801 0525 (Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on rethink.orgRelated...We Have ADHD, So Do Our Kids – Here's How We Get Things DoneI Grew Up With ADHD – This Is The Worst Thing You Can Do To A Neurodivergent Kid‘They’re Simply Wired Differently’: 10 Ways To Help Teens With ADHD Get Through Exams

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