Read more about the study at:

📄QMUL: www.qmul.ac.uk/sbbs/news/it...

🗞️The Independent: www.independent.co.uk/life-style/h...

4. More broadly it urges further research into the interaction between ADHD and hormonal changes to reduce diagnostic bias and improve gender equity in mental-health.

3. The study calls for PMDD screenings in women with ADHD and those with high ADHD symptom levels, particularly if comorbid depression or anxiety is present.

2. Hormonal sensitivity may be a relevant mechanism, with implications across times of hormonal change like puberty, menstruation, the perinatal period and menopause.

Findings highlight:

1. The need for greater awareness of the heightened risk of PMDD in women with ADHD.

3️⃣ The highest risk was among women with ADHD with comorbid depression or anxiety with  ≈ 4.5x increased risk.

The results:

1️⃣ Women with a clinical ADHD diagnosis were ≈ 3× more likely to meet criteria for provisional PMDD. 

2️⃣Women with high ADHD symptom levels (identified through ASRS screening) were ≈ 4× more likely more likely to meet criteria for provisional PMDD.

3. In this cross-sectional online survey of over 700 UK women, researchers assessed ADHD diagnosis and symptom levels (via the ASRS), PMDD symptoms, and comorbid depression and anxiety.

2. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a mood disorder occurring in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, associated with marked distress and functional impairment - its relationship with ADHD has rarely been examined.

1. Although ADHD is increasingly recognised in women, links between ADHD and hormone-related mental health conditions remain under-explored.

7/7 💫 That’s all from us for now — thanks for reading!

Make sure to follow us here and on Instagram @adhdlifecourselab for more updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and more on our ADHD research.

Until next time,
🧠 The ADHD Lifecourse Lab Team

6/7 🗓️ Conference Coming Up!

We’re heading to the University of Nottingham for 'Hidden in Plain Sight: Research and Clinical Update on ADHD in Girls and Women' — a conference organised by Dr. Blandine French, Michelle Beckett, and our own Dr. Jessica Agnew-Blais. Excited to learn, connect and share!

5/7 📚 Journal Club at KCL

Our postdoc, Dr. Thomas Broughton recently led a Journal Club session with the ADHD Research Group at King’s College London, presenting a paper on sex differences in ADHD. Thought-provoking discussion all around!

4/7 🌈 PHURI Women’s Health Research Workshop

Dr. Jessica Agnew-Blais also spoke at the PHURI Women’s Health Research Workshop at QMUL, presenting on ADHD in women over the life course.

A great opportunity to share our work with researchers across different areas of women’s health at QMUL.