WOMEN with ADHD have a much greater vulnerability to perinatal depression, a 2026 systematic review has concluded.
Researchers found a strong association between ADHD and depressive symptoms in the perinatal period.
ADHD and Perinatal Depression
ADHD is characterised by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, and is commonly comorbid with other mental health conditions.
Despite increasing numbers of women entering reproductive years with a diagnosis of ADHD, there is limited research on it during the perinatal period.
Scientists identified 10 studies that met the inclusion criteria.
The review found a prevalence of approximately 17% to 58% of perinatal depression in women with ADHD.
It found that women with ADHD are around twice as likely to experience perinatal depression compared to those without symptoms.
Although, researchers emphasised the need for higher-quality studies to replicate, and further explore, the relevant findings.
ADHD in Offspring of Mothers with Perinatal Depression
Further, offspring of mothers who have experienced perinatal depression are significantly more likely to exhibit symptoms of ADHD.
A large systematic review and meta-analysis from 2024, of almost 800,000 mother-offspring pairs found a near 70% increased risk of ADHD symptoms in the offspring of mothers experiencing antenatal depression.
It also found a more than 50% elevated risk of ADHD symptoms in the offspring of mothers experiencing postnatal depression, compared with mothers who didn’t experience depressive symptoms in the relevant period.
Researchers highlighted the importance of early screening and targeted intervention programmes for children and adolescents in high-risk groups.
Underdiagnosis of ADHD in Women
ADHD is underdiagnosed in women more than in other gender identities or in children.
On average, men are diagnosed with ADHD between the ages of 11 and 22, whilst women are later to be accurately diagnosed: around ages 16 to 28.
This is largely due to an interplay of gender biases and cultural expectations of women and girls.
Research has consistently shown that early treatment and detection can dramatically change outcomes for children with ADHD as they continue into adulthood, now carrying implications for women’s perinatal mental health.
References
Pierotti N, Jayakody K. Maternal attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and perinatal depression: a systematic review. J Atten Disord. 2026;30(3):300.314.
Tusa BS et al. The risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms in offspring of mothers with perinatal depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Asian J Psychiatr. 2024;DOI:10.1016/j.ajp.2024.104261.
Platania NM et al. Bias by gender: exploring gender-based differences in the endorsement of ADHD symptoms and impairment among adult patients. Front Glob Womens Health. 2025;DOI:10.3389/fgwh.2025.1549028.
Attention Deficit Disorder Association. ADHD in women: signs, symptoms, and treatment. 2025. Available at: https://add.org/adhd-in-women/. Last accessed 9 March 2026.
Featured image: Татьяна Ивашкова on Adobe Stock
