AN EXPLORATORY CASE STUDY OF THE EXPERIENCE OF EMOTIONS IN ADULT WOMEN WITH ADHD
ADHD is often seen through the lens of attention and behaviour—but what about emotion? For many women diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood, the most challenging symptoms aren’t just inattention or impulsivity, but difficulties with understanding, managing, and expressing emotions. This study explores how women with ADHD experience both emotional dysregulation and emotional competence—and how those emotional patterns shape their self-image, relationships, and daily life.
Study design
Participants will share their experiences through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, helping researchers uncover how emotions are used, suppressed, or misunderstood—and what women wish they’d known earlier in life. This research goes beyond the diagnostic checklist to ask bigger questions: What if emotional competence could be the missing piece in ADHD treatment? What if early support in this area could change the trajectory for girls at risk of being overlooked?
Why this matters:
Findings from this study may help clinicians, educators, and caregivers recognise the emotional signs of ADHD earlier—especially in girls who often go undiagnosed. It could also reshape how we treat ADHD, by promoting strength-based interventions that build emotional awareness, regulation, and resilience. The ultimate goal? To not only reduce distress, but to help women and girls with ADHD thrive—socially, academically, and emotionally—at every stage of life.
Want to participate or learn more?
Contact Principal Investigator Alina Lyons at alina.lyons@mail.utoronto.ca.
Study approved by the University of Toronto Research Ethics Board.