Silent Suffering: The Gender Disparity in ADHD Diagnosis and Its Mental Health Implications for Females

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorLowey, Christy-Ann
dc.date.accessioned2024-04-15T23:09:42Z
dc.date.available2024-04-15T23:09:42Z
dc.date.issued2024-04
dc.description.abstractAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has historically been understood through the lens of research primarily focused on males, owing to the externalized symptomatic presentation commonly associated with the condition. Diagnosis and treatment protocols for ADHD have largely evolved from studies predominantly involving male participants. However, there is a growing recognition of the need to understand how ADHD manifests in females. Beyond the commonly explored symptoms, such as inattention and hyperactivity, a nuanced examination reveals a profound impact of emotional dysregulation, particularly among women. The ability to emotionally regulate is often cited in the literature as the most impairing deficit associated with ADHD that prolongs throughout the lifespan for both males and females. This underexplored area emphasizes a narrative of underrecognition and while suggesting a potential for further research within the domain of mental health. This paper reviews the nuanced relationship between ADHD, emotional regulation, and associated factors such as rejection sensitivity and the autonomic nervous system. While drawing on polyvagal theory to provide a framework into the ADHD presentation in females, suggesting a need for internal safety.
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11803/2430
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisher.institutionCity University of Seattle (CityU)
dc.rightsAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States
dc.rightsopenAccess
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/
dc.subjectattention deficit hyperactivity disorder
dc.subjectrejection sensitivity
dc.subjectemotional regulation
dc.subjectpolyvagal theory
dc.subjectcomorbidity
dc.subjectautonomic nervous system
dc.titleSilent Suffering: The Gender Disparity in ADHD Diagnosis and Its Mental Health Implications for Females
dc.typeCapstone
thesis.degree.disciplineCounselling
thesis.degree.grantorCity University of Seattle (CityU)
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Counselling
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
ChristyLoweyCapstone.pdf
Size:
2.33 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Download
Collections
CityU Scholarly Work (Open Access)