Dismissed as just a “chatterbox”

Examining Childhood Symptomatology, Educational Costs and the Effects on Mental Health of Delayed Diagnosis of ADHD in Women

Authors

  • Leanne Chrisostomou School of Psychology, Sport & Health Science | University of Portsmouth, England
  • Merijn Schellekens School of Psychology, Sport & Health Science | University of Portsmouth, England

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.82005/NC_03.02.03

Keywords:

ADHD, Gender Bias, Female Symptomatology, Delayed Diagnosis, Consequences

Abstract

The diagnostic criteria for ADHD were historically constructed on male, cis gender, presentations that
make female symptoms atypical in comparison. This has contributed to a poor understanding of
female presentations of ADHD and underpins the diagnostic gender gap varying from 2:1 to 16:1 in
childhood.
Semi-structured interviews with ten late-diagnosed women, aged 25-64 (M = 41.70; SD = 11.26). were
conducted. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, this study examined the lived experiences
of women diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood to retrospectively explore childhood symptomatic
ADHD behaviours and how gender influenced delayed diagnosis. Findings indicated participants
exhibited symptoms from early childhood and struggled with feelings of otherness and shame.
Hyperactive tendencies were reported as objectionable in females from an early age leading to
concealment and internalisation of perceived flaws.
Adolescence was marked by mounting scholastic difficulties, low self-esteem and poor mental health.
Participants remembered suffering from overwhelm, rumination and incessant mental activity as well
as a structural inability to sustain attention and maintain composure; symptoms highly indicative of
ADHD but missed. ADHD medication, post-diagnosis, brought mental clarity and focus. Future
research should investigate female specific indicators of ADHD and how hormonal fluctuations
escalate symptoms.

Author Biography

Leanne Chrisostomou, School of Psychology, Sport & Health Science | University of Portsmouth, England

Biography

I am a Teaching Fellow. I was awarded my PhD in 2024 from the University of Portsmouth, an MSc Social Research Methods with Psychology from the University of Southampton, a BSc (Hons) Psychology with Clinical Psychology and a Graduate Certificate in Humanistic and Psychodynamic Counselling from Goldsmiths, University of London. I have also worked in various applied psychology roles across the NHS, county council, and neurodevelopmental charities.

Research interests

I have research interests in neurodivergence, diagnosis, clinical psychology, and child, neurodivergence, and family flourishing. My research has primarily utilised qualitative methods to explore the experiences of autistic children/young people and examiners/clinicians within autism diagnosis.

Teaching responsibilities

As a Teaching Fellow on the Distance Learning MSc Psychology (conversion) course, I teach all subjects, I am the qualitative research methods lead, and I supervise dissertation students (current topics include neurodivergence, the experience of diagnosis, education, and wellbeing for parents and teachers. Since 2018, I have had various teaching roles within the Psychology Department at the University of Portsmouth across a variety of subjects.

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Published

2026-10-17

How to Cite

Chrisostomou, L., & Schellekens, M. (2026). Dismissed as just a “chatterbox”: Examining Childhood Symptomatology, Educational Costs and the Effects on Mental Health of Delayed Diagnosis of ADHD in Women. NeuroConverse, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.82005/NC_03.02.03

Issue

Volume 3 Number 2

Section

Articles