Flickor med ADHD - en kvalitativ studie utifrån unga kvinnors återberättelser av sina identiteter i relation till rollförväntningar

Sammanfattning: The purpose of this study is to investigate how women with an ADHD diagnosis, who were diagnosed in the ages between 12-17, see their own experiences and identities in relation to role expectations of females. The ambition is to bring light to the stories of women, who have been in the shadow of the stereotypical ADHD man in society as well as in studies. The method chosen for empirical material is qualitative-semi structured interviews where 8 women between the ages of 18-26 participated. For the analysis, theoretical conceptions as stigma, identity and gender is used to analyze the interview answers. Findings in the study indicate that being a girl with an ADHD diagnosis have led them to feel stigmatized and divergent during parts of their schooltime. When it comes to the confirmation of their diagnosis, the women's stories differ. Some viewed the adhd diagnosis as relief and could quickly identify themself with it, while it took more time for some who struggled with feeling connected to their diagnosis. One reason as to why they could not identify themselves with adhd seemed to be because they knew adhd as a diagnosis exclusively for men. Another reason was the feeling of disgrace because of their symptoms. Other findings reveal that several of the women identified themself with being a “tomboy” because of not fitting into the role expectations of women. Several women chose to cover their symptoms rather than being or feeling stigmatized. On the other hand a few women told stories about making resistance against femininity norms instead of covering their symptoms. Important patterns in the stories of these women are the experienced feelings of being stigmatised due to the diagnosis and not being able to live up to the role expectations.