Ep 196 Seeing the Invisible: ADHD in Girls and Women with Dr Lotta Skoglund Part 1
Mar 26, 2025
auto_awesome
In this engaging discussion, Dr. Lotta Skoglund, a Swedish psychiatrist and author, tackles the often-overlooked topic of ADHD in girls and women. She sheds light on the biological, social, and psychological factors contributing to the frequent misdiagnosis and underrecognition of female ADHD. Dr. Skoglund also delves into the impact of hormonal fluctuations on symptoms and stresses the need for tailored medical approaches. Additionally, she calls for greater awareness among healthcare professionals to better support women navigating the challenges of ADHD.
Dr. Skoglund emphasizes the importance of recognizing female-specific ADHD symptoms and the impact of hormonal fluctuations on diagnosis and treatment.
The podcast highlights systemic biases in healthcare that contribute to the underdiagnosis of ADHD in women, necessitating improved education and awareness among professionals.
Deep dives
Understanding Invisible Illnesses
Invisible illnesses, such as fibromyalgia and ADHD in women, present unique challenges that often remain unacknowledged in healthcare settings. These conditions are complex and are misattributed to psychosocial issues rather than biological factors. For instance, women with ADHD may exhibit symptoms differently than men, often leading to underdiagnosis or misdiagnosis. This misunderstanding emphasizes the necessity for education and awareness surrounding these conditions to empower patients and improve healthcare outcomes.
The Impact of Hormonal Changes
Hormonal fluctuations significantly affect the presentation and treatment of ADHD in women, particularly during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. Research shows that symptoms can intensify due to changing hormone levels, leading to a higher incidence of anxiety, depression, and even ADHD mismanagement. As these hormonal changes are often overlooked, healthcare professionals need to recognize that women require tailored assessments and treatments that differ from the standard protocols established primarily on male norms. By considering hormonal influences, practitioners can enhance their understanding of female-specific symptoms and improve the quality of care.
The Need for Holistic Approaches
A holistic approach to treatment is essential for women facing ADHD and fibromyalgia, as these conditions frequently co-occur with other health issues. Women often navigate a complex healthcare journey, facing barriers to appropriate diagnosis and treatment, which leads to a missed opportunity for effective management. For instance, many seek assistance only to have their concerns dismissed as psychosomatic or purely emotional. Recognizing the interconnectedness of ADHD, chronic pain syndromes, and women's unique health experiences allows healthcare providers to develop comprehensive care plans that address the root of these overlapping conditions.
In this episode, the host interviews Dr. Lotta Skogland, a Swedish psychiatrist and author of 'ADHD Girls to Women: Getting on the Radar.' Dr. Skogland shares her extensive experience in ADHD and addiction, discussing the significant comorbidities and the unique challenges faced by girls and women with ADHD. The conversation delves into the biological, social, and psychological aspects that contribute to the underdiagnosis and mischaracterization of ADHD in females. Dr. Skogland emphasizes the importance of recognizing female-specific symptoms, the impact of fluctuating hormones, and the need for tailored medical approaches. The discussion also highlights systemic biases and the critical need for better awareness and understanding among healthcare professionals.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:45 Dr. Skogland's Journey into ADHD Research 03:07 Understanding ADHD in Women 05:27 Challenges in Diagnosing ADHD in Women 08:24 ADHD Symptoms in Girls and Women 12:43 Societal Biases and ADHD 14:30 Hormonal Influences on ADHD 18:31 Healthcare System Failures 22:38 The Importance of Listening to Patients 29:07 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
A Fibromyalgia Starter Pack, a great companion to the book Conquering Your Fibromyalgia, is now available. Dr. Michael Lenz practices general pediatrics and internal medicine primary care, seeing patients from infants through adults. In addition, he also will see patients with fibromyalgia and related problems and patients interested in lifestyle medicine and clinical lipidology. To learn more, go to ConquringYourFibromyalgia.com. Remember that while Dr. Lenz is a medical doctor, he is not your doctor. All of your signs and symptoms should be discussed with your physician. He aims to weave the best of conventional medicine with lifestyle medicine to help people with chronic health conditions live their best lives possible. Dr. Lenz hopes that the podcast, book, blog, and website serve as a trusted resource and starting point on your journey of learning to live better with fibromyalgia and related illnesses.
Junior Producer- Brooklyn Lenz
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode