Mood: educational, empowering, validating, insightful, mental health

Has TikTok diagnosed you with ADHD? Have you actually been diagnosed with ADHD?

If you're female, there's an extra hurdle for you. The gender gap in research and diagnoses leaves many women and girls undiagnosed and untreated... sometimes for their entire lives.

This episode takes in four accounts of adult women who were diagnosed with ADHD at different stages in their lives, from their 20s to their 60s.

We interview Terry Matlen, MSW, psychotherapist and acclaimed ADHD expert. Terry has a clinical and personal perspective: she and her adult daughter both have ADHD. Terry is also the author of The Queen of Distraction and Survival Tips for Women with ADHD: Beyond Piles, Palms & Stickers — check these out if you've been recently diagnosed or are pursuing a diagnosis!

Accounts from Lori (diagnosed 65), Jenny (diagnosed 32), Caroline (diagnosed 28), and Avery (diagnosed 31) will provide personal context about what life was like before and after diagnosis.

Sources and tools mentioned in this episode:

• CHADD
• Adda (ADD.org)
• ADDitude Magazine
• Russell Barkley
• John Ratey, Driven to Distraction
• Undiagnosed ADHD Ruined My Life (reddit)

Time stamps:

0:02:00 - Lori (personal account)

0:10:20 - Terry Matlen, MSW (interview with the expert)

0:58:20 - Jenny (personal account)

1:06:05 - Caroline (personal account)

1:26:45 - Avery (personal account)