Calls for ADHD Research

Expert panelists call for more research on ADHD in women, girls

“We just need some more science to really better understand the experiences of women with ADHD,” Schechter said during that panel, which was moderated by Chelsea Clinton and sponsored by Akili, a prescription digital therapeutics maker whose products include an ADHD treatment.  

A panel in New York City highlighted the need for more research on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in women and girls. The National Institutes of Health funded only one study on ADHD and women in 2023, which experts find unacceptable due to the rising rates of ADHD diagnoses among women. Possible factors contributing to this increase include growing awareness facilitated by social media, such as TikTok, and major events like the COVID-19 pandemic.

The panel emphasized the challenges faced by women with ADHD, including potential missed diagnoses, leading to higher risks of low self-esteem and self-harm. The Duke Center for Girls & Women with ADHD, founded in 2021, aims to be a reliable resource hub and will launch a virtual support group for pregnant and postpartum moms with ADHD. While medications and behavioral therapy are established interventions for ADHD, more research is needed to understand potential gender differences in their effectiveness, especially concerning hormonal influences.

The panel also expressed excitement about emerging interventions like digital therapeutics but stressed the overall need for additional research to enhance existing interventions for women and explore new ones.

The full article can be found here.