Are women with ADHD more likely to have PMDD?

Background: Due to historical under-recognition of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among girls and women, little is known about female-specific factors that may affect individuals with ADHD, including those related to changes in ovarian hormones (e.g. across the menstrual cycle). Aims: We investigated whether females with a self-reported clinical diagnosis of ADHD are more likely to experience premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). We also examined associations between PMDD and ADHD defined by a symptom and impairment threshold. Method: Participants were aged between 18 and 34 years, were assigned female at birth and were recruited via Prolific.com ( n = 715). Participants self-reported clinician diagnosis of ADHD, depression and anxiety. ADHD symptoms were assessed via the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS), to which we applied a DSM-5-based symptom and impairment cut-off ('ASRS-based ADHD'). PMDD symptoms were assessed via the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST), which identifies provisional PMDD. Using Poisson regression models, we compared risk for provisional PMDD among females with ADHD (self-reported clinical diagnosis [ n = 102] or ASRS-based [ n = 229]) with a non-ADHD reference group ( n = 305). We additionally compared risk for provisional PMDD among individuals with ADHD and depression/anxiety diagnoses, ADHD only and a non-ADHD reference group. Results: The prevalence of provisional PMDD was elevated among individuals with a self-reported clinical ADHD diagnosis (31.4%), and among participants with ASRS-based ADHD (41.1%), compared with the non-ADHD reference group (9.8%). Individuals with ASRS-based ADHD and depression and/or anxiety diagnoses were at highest risk for provisional PMDD (relative risk 4.53 [3.10, 6.61]) compared with the non-ADHD reference group. Conclusions: Clinicians should be aware that individuals with a diagnosis of ADHD, or with high ADHD symptom levels, and who have a menstrual cycle may be more likely to experience PMDD. Future research should investigate the underlying mechanisms that link ADHD and disorders associated with hormonal sensitivity, such as PMDD.

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