Attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder casts a long shadow: findings from a population‐based study of adult women with self‐reported ADHD

Abstract

Our results suggest that women with ADHD are particularly vulnerable to early adversities, health and mental health problems.

Sleep disorders in patients with ADHD: impact and management challenges

“…Individuals with ADHD reported prolonged sleep latencies (>30 minutes) on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index compared with controls 102. Adult women with ADHD reported higher prevalence of insomnia (43.9% vs 12.2%) compared with women without ADHD 103…”

Attention‐Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Clinical Considerations for Women

“…Findings supported significant lifetime hazard ratios (HRs) for antisocial disorders (HR, 7.2; 95% CI, 4.0‐12.7), mood disorders (HR, 6.8; 95% CI, 3.7‐12.6), anxiety disorders (HR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.6‐2.9), eating disorders (HR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.6‐7.3), addictive disorders (HR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.6‐4.3), and developmental disorders (HR, 3.2; 95% CI, 2.0‐5.3) among the ADHD group compared to the control participants . On a more positive note, however, women with ADHD tended to report higher levels of physical activity than their peers without the disorder …”

“…Adverse health outcomes in women with ADHD include sleep impairments, chronic pain, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. A recent population‐based study examined the demographic, mental health, and physical health characteristics of women aged 20 to 39 years with self‐reported ADHD (n = 107) compared to women without ADHD (n = 3801). The study found that compared to women without ADHD, women with self‐reported ADHD had a higher prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ie, sexual abuse , P < .001), lower educational attainment ( P = .02), and a lower income ( P < .001) that, in turn, could not meet their basic expenses compared to .…”

“…A recent population‐based study examined the demographic, mental health, and physical health characteristics of women aged 20 to 39 years with self‐reported ADHD (n = 107) compared to women without ADHD (n = 3801). The study found that compared to women without ADHD, women with self‐reported ADHD had a higher prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ie, sexual abuse , P < .001), lower educational attainment ( P = .02), and a lower income ( P < .001) that, in turn, could not meet their basic expenses compared to . As a group, women with ADHD were significantly more likely to report sleep‐related problems (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 5.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.36‐7.69), chronic pain–preventing activity (aOR, 3.86; 95% CI, 2.43‐6.13), impairment in daily activities (aOR, 3.85; 95% CI, 2.54‐5.83), and lifetime history of suicidal ideation (aOR, 4.79; 95% CI, 3.17‐7.22), as well as more likely to meet criteria for a lifetime substance or alcohol use disorder (aOR, 2.82; 95% CI, 1.84‐4.30), lifetime major depressive disorder (aOR, 2.47; 95% CI, 1.59‐3.84), and lifetime generalized anxiety disorder (aOR, 4.52; 95% CI, 2.94‐6.95), than their female counterparts without ADHD.…”

“…16 On a more positive note, however, women with ADHD tended to report higher levels of physical activity than their peers without the disorder. 15 A small body of literature also suggests that women with ADHD face specific challenges as parents. For example, greater ADHD symptomatology in mothers has been found to be associated with more psychosocial difficulties, poorer parental self-esteem, and less effective disciplinary behavior.…”