A Burden or a Benefit? The Subjective Experiences of Women with Late ADHD Diagnosis
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| Year of publication | 2025 |
| Type | Appeared in Conference without Proceedings |
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| Description | Women with ADHD are often diagnosed later than men, receive a proxy diagnosis or remain undiagnosed. ADHD can affect many aspects of their lives, whether personal, relational or professional. The challenges posed by ADHD and its late diagnosis in women remain under-researched. This study explores the subjective experiences of women diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood. Five semi-structured interviews were conducted with Czech women aged 24 to 51 years who were diagnosed with ADHD as adults by a psychiatrist. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis, allowing for an in-depth understanding of women's lived experiences. Six key themes emerged: (1) Experiences with diagnosis and treatment, (2) Perception of self and the diagnosis, (3) Active approach to ADHD, (4) Studies and occupation, (5) Relationships, and (6) Attitudes of close others. Each theme comprised several subthemes and reflected commonalities across participants, as well as individual nuances. This study contributes to the limited body of research on late ADHD diagnosis in women and offers deeper insight into their subjective experiences. The findings highlight the complex psychological and social impact of late ADHD diagnosis in women. The study may also provide a foundation for follow-up research and improvements in understanding, diagnosis, and support of women with ADHD. |