– It gave me an explanation as to why I have done things differently. It was quite nice to hear, laughs 22-year-old Felicia Naomi Chadis Wells. She is one of many young women in Norway who have been diagnosed with ADHD. She was diagnosed in September last year. – It has been easier to accept what I previously thought of as an irrational me. I have realized and learned that it is not my fault. – I got scolded a lot at school New figures from FHI show that several young girls and women between the ages of 16 and 24 have been diagnosed with a form of ADHD. Felicia describes an everyday life that is now a little more liberating than it has been in the past. – After understanding how I learn better, I have become less frustrated that I don’t get certain things. The former dental student will soon start medical studies. She also works at both a secondary school and a training centre. The 22-year-old says that her way of dealing with the diagnosis is to be active. Felicia uses tablets actively in her everyday life. Photo: Bård Nafstad / news – After I started with routines that are more ADHD-friendly, it has made my everyday work much easier, and I don’t forget as many things as before. But had she received the diagnosis earlier, she believes she would have spent less time blaming herself. – I remember sitting as a young girl and blaming myself a little for not being able to sit still. I got yelled at a lot at school and couldn’t concentrate in class. – I was seen as different without knowing why I was different. For Felicia, receiving the ADHD diagnosis last year was a confirmation. – I understood much more about myself. – Not surprised Between 2019 and 2022, the proportion of girls and young women with an ADHD diagnosis has gone from 1.5 per cent to 3.1 per cent in girls aged 16 to 19. Among girls aged 20 to 24, the proportion has gone from 1 per cent to 2.2 per cent. Gry Lunde, secretary general of ADHD Norway, is not surprised by the figures. Gry Lunde, secretary general of ADHD Norway Photo: ADHD association – We have had a large increase in inquiries both during and after the pandemic. We have also received the same signals from professional communities and the specialist health service, she says. She thinks it is positive that this is coming to light. – It is important that those who need help and accommodation get it as early as possible. Almost 80 per cent increase in the number of ADHD diagnoses among women Increased knowledge At the Institute of Public Health, department director Heidi Aase sits. She works in the department for children’s health and development. Aase believes that increased knowledge may have contributed to more girls receiving the diagnosis than before. – It may be that many girls and young women have “gone under the radar” because they do not have the same symptoms of ADHD as boys, says Aase. Gry Lunde in ADHD Norway believes that a discussion about whether there are enough resources will come now that more people will need help. – It is positive that more people are being offered help, and of course you can also discuss whether that help is good enough everywhere, says Lunde. For Felicia, everyday life became easier. She believes that an increase in diagnoses can contribute to less taboo around ADHD in girls and women. – It can make it a little easier for people to seek help.
ttn-69
More young girls and women get ADHD diagnoses – news Oslo og Viken – Local news, TV and radio
