Managing ADHD with Routine and Alarms
Layla Kornota, a teaching assistant diagnosed with ADHD during childhood, relies heavily on phone alarms to navigate her daily routine. She sets multiple alarms throughout the day, including four to wake up, one to get dressed, and another to pack her work bag.
"There's a million different ones. Different times of the day,"
the 30-year-old explains as she reviews the alerts on her phone.
"It feels like overkill to a lot of people, but I have these markers that I need to hit,"
Layla adds, emphasizing that this system helps her maintain focus and establish structure despite the challenges posed by her ADHD.
However, this sense of control diminishes as Layla approaches the peak of her menstrual cycle.
"It's like you're clinging on, for dear life, onto the ball that is continuing to roll, and sort of cursing yourself and the world the entire time."
Understanding ADHD and Its Challenges
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is characterized by differences in brain function that affect concentration, emotional regulation, and physical restlessness, according to the NHS.
There is growing discussion on social media and online forums about how menstrual cycles may exacerbate ADHD symptoms in women.
A pioneering study conducted by King's College and Queen Mary University in London is investigating this connection. The research involves 50 women diagnosed with ADHD who are on medication. Participants track their menstrual cycles alongside their ADHD symptoms and overall daily experiences.
Approximately 2.5 million people in the UK are estimated to have ADHD, with many awaiting diagnosis through the NHS.
Increased awareness, particularly regarding how ADHD manifests in women, has led to a surge in requests for assessments.
NHS data from December of the previous year indicate a 23% rise in prescriptions for stimulants and other ADHD medications compared to the prior year.
Despite this, a government taskforce report released in November found that ADHD remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. The BBC has reported that some regions in England have closed NHS waiting lists due to overwhelming demand.
Medication and Symptom Patterns During Menstruation
Héloïse, a 19-year-old university student pursuing three degrees, describes her experience with ADHD medication.
"I call Ritalin—the medication I take for my ADHD—a lifeline which gives me a three-hour window of focus to study. I take the pill, sit in the library, and wait for it to kick in."
However, during her menstrual period, she experiences a notable change.
"I just wait and wait for a reaction that never comes. It feels like losing a walking stick or something you use to support yourself. All of a sudden it's broken,"
she says.
It was only after mapping her symptoms for the King's College study that Héloïse recognized the pattern linking hormonal fluctuations to her ADHD symptoms.
Other women involved in the research have reported similar experiences, with some describing feeling "disabled" by their symptoms at specific points in their cycle.
Participants maintain electronic diaries documenting hormone levels and the intensity of ADHD symptoms, including anxiety, depression, and impulsivity.
Researchers are analyzing these records to determine whether consistent patterns emerge in symptom severity and medication effectiveness throughout the menstrual cycle.
Monthly Impact of Hormones on ADHD
Psychiatrist Sally Cubbin, a neurodiversity specialist involved in the King's College study, asserts that hormones and ADHD are closely connected and hopes the trial will provide evidence supporting this link.
She explains that during certain phases of the menstrual cycle, such as the premenstrual period when estrogen levels are low, dopamine—the brain's 'feel-good' neurotransmitter—is affected, intensifying ADHD symptoms.
Dr. Cubbin notes that these hormonal dips not only impair focus and task management but also increase the likelihood of risky behaviors.
"Women are also more likely to make dodgy decisions and take risks,"
she says, citing examples such as binge eating, impulsive spending, and neglecting contraception.
Layla is familiar with such impulsivity, particularly regarding food cravings during her period.
"I love pickles. I know that if I eat too many pickles I'm gonna feel ill,"
she explains, clarifying that this is not due to hunger but an impulse that becomes difficult to resist once it takes hold.
"It's this impulse to do it and then once it's in your head it's really difficult to shut it down or turn it off."
Research and Recognition of ADHD in Women
Dr. Jessica Agnew-Blais, lead academic on the King's College project, emphasizes the importance of studying ADHD in adult women, a relatively new research area. ADHD was historically viewed as a childhood condition predominantly affecting boys until the late 1990s.
Dr. Catherine Durkin of the Royal College of Psychiatrists notes the increasing number of women seeking diagnosis and treatment.
"Thanks to increasing awareness of how ADHD symptoms can present in women, more are recognising where they have struggled throughout their lives and are now asking for help."
Women are particularly interested in understanding how major hormonal transitions, such as menopause and peri-menopause, influence their ADHD symptoms. Dr. Agnew-Blais suggests her ongoing study could serve as a foundational resource for these inquiries.
She clarifies that the goal is not to change one's identity but to better integrate ADHD management into daily life.
"It can help just fit ADHD into your life a little bit better."
Layla reflects on her experience participating in the research.
"I've always given myself a hard time for not 'coming up to scratch' but taking part in the research project has felt validating and freeing."
"Understanding that this is something that a lot of women are going through every month for most of their life. It's good to have kind of community and feel like that it's okay, this isn't just me."
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