Founded in 2021, the Duke Center for Girls & Women with ADHD is one of the nation’s only programs dedicated specifically to advancing knowledge about Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in girls and women. The center is part of the Duke ADHD Program, founded 30 years ago.

Mission

Our mission is to advance education among patients, families, clinicians, educators and the public about the unique needs of girls and women with ADHD across the lifespan.

Two smiling girls

Understanding ADHD in Girls and Women

Girls and women with ADHD face distinct challenges throughout their lives. Studies show that girls are more likely to suffer delays in diagnosis and treatment – especially compared with boys – and have difficulties that last well into their adult years.1 By their older adolescence and early adulthood, girls with ADHD are at a significantly increased risk for serious outcomes, such as suicide attempts,2-3 self-harm,3 unplanned pregnancies,4 mood disorders,2and eating disorders.5

Holding hands

The Center is committed to enhancing the lives of all individuals who identify as female, regardless of their sex assigned at birth.

Older woman painting

Empowering and Informing

The Duke Center for Girls & Women with ADHD seeks to address these unique challenges through educational resources and outreach that will help individuals and their families make informed decisions about treatment and care. The center also promotes cutting-edge research to improve diagnosis and treatment.

References

1Young S, Adamo N, Ásgeirsdóttir BB, et al. Females with ADHD: An expert consensus statement taking a lifespan approach providing guidance for the identification and treatment of attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder in girls and women. Bmc Psychiatry. 2020;20(1):404. doi:10.1186/s12888-020-02707-9

2Babinski DE, Neely KA, Ba DM, Liu G. Depression and Suicidal Behavior in Young Adult Men and Women With ADHD: Evidence From Claims Data. J Clin Psychiatry. 2020;81(6). doi:10.4088/jcp.19m13130

3Meza JI, Owens EB, Hinshaw SP. Childhood predictors and moderators of lifetime risk of self-harm in girls with and without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Dev Psychopathol. Published online 2020:1-17. doi:10.1017/s0954579420000553

4Owens EB, Hinshaw SP. Adolescent Mediators of Unplanned Pregnancy among Women with and without Childhood ADHD. J Clin Child Adolesc Psychology. 2019;49(2):1-10. doi:10.1080/15374416.2018.1547970

5Biederman J, Ball SW, Monuteaux MC, Surman CB, Johnson JL, Zeitlin S. Are Girls with ADHD at Risk for Eating Disorders? Results from a Controlled, Five-Year Prospective Study. J Dev Behav Pediatrics. 2007;28(4):302-307. doi:10.1097/dbp.0b013e3180327917