CADDRA Expert Series 2023 Session 1: ADHD Throughout the Reproductive Cycle

1. Describe and recognize symptoms of ADHD in girls and women throughout the lifecycle.
2. Analyze the ways ADHD fluctuates throughout the menstrual cycle, perimenopause and menopause.
3. Explore some treatment options for women with ADHD at various points of the reproductive cycle.

Historically, ADHD was considered a disorder specific to boys and was described as such in the diagnostic manuals. We will explore the prevalence of the condition across the lifespan and discuss what why the prevalence is for boys and girls in clinical and population settings.

Throughout their lives, many girls and women experience the symptoms of ADHD in a way which differs from boys and men. This presentation will describe the clinical presentations at different moments of a woman’s lifespan, including in the older adult population. We will explore the possible influence of the reproductive hormones on ADHD symptoms, with a refresher on the menstrual cycle.

Comorbid depressive symptoms fluctuate premenstrually, post partum and during the perimenopause, when oestrogen levels rise and fall. Our research findings on mood disorders in a changing hormonal environment will be described, as well as the possible treatment approaches.

Finally, ADHD symptoms themselves appear to fluctuate in response to oestrogen levels. Research exploring this new topic will be addressed.

Dora Wynchank, MBChB, MMed, FCPsych, PhD works as a psychiatrist at the Intensive Specialist Program for ADHD and as a researcher at the Expertise Centre, ADHD, The Hague.
Originally from South Africa, she studied medicine in Cape Town and Johannesburg, where she was active in student politics. Until 2014, she worked as a consultant psychiatrist in state hospitals and in private practice. During this time, she was a clinician, conducted pharmacological research, served on the Executive Committee of the Society of Psychiatrists and was Director of the patient advocacy group for Depression and Anxiety. In August 2014, she relocated with her family to The Netherlands, where she completed a PhD on adult ADHD and biological rhythms, at the Free University of Amsterdam. During the last 6 years, she has researched, published widely and presented her research internationally. She is also editor of the DIVA Foundation. The DIVA is a diagnostic interview for the diagnosis of ADHD, available in 30 languages.
She is currently working in the field of Adult ADHD at a psychiatric clinic called PsyQ and is a proud member of ADHD Europe.

CADDRA – Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance has been approved by the College of Family Physicians, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the Canadian Psychological Association to offer 1 continuing education credits for this session.  CADDRA maintains responsibility for the program. Participation in a discussion forum and completion of a reflective exercise are required for certification.