For years, ADHD and autism were thought to mainly affect boys and men. Boys are still diagnosed with these conditions at a rate about five times higher than girls. However, new research reveals that these conditions also impact girls and women, though they are often underdiagnosed.
Historically, most research on neurodivergence has focused on boys, leaving women’s experiences largely overlooked. Swedish psychiatrist Dr. Lotta Borg Skoglund, who has dedicated her career to changing this, is working to bridge the gap. Dr. Skoglund is the founder of Smart Psychiatry, a clinic in Sweden specializing in ADHD and autism. She recently launched a new company, Letterlife, aimed at supporting women with neurodivergent conditions.
Letterlife: An App for Women with ADHD and Autism
Letterlife is an app specifically designed for women with ADHD and autism—collectively referred to by Dr. Skoglund as “AuHDH.” This term reflects the overlap in symptoms of both conditions, and the app helps women manage the unique challenges they face. The app assists with tracking symptoms, managing medications, and understanding how hormonal fluctuations affect daily life.
One of the app’s standout features is its focus on the menstrual cycle. Hormonal shifts can impact women’s health, and these effects are often more pronounced for those with ADHD or autism. Many girls with autism struggle more with puberty’s physical and emotional changes compared to their peers. Similarly, women with ADHD often face more severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and Dr. Skoglund believes autistic women may experience similar challenges.
Dr. Skoglund’s research has found that women with ADHD are five times more likely to develop depression when using hormonal contraception. This highlights the complex relationship between hormones and mental health, which Letterlife directly addresses by helping users adjust to hormonal changes and understand how they impact medications and daily routines.
Addressing Women’s Health Needs
There is ongoing debate about whether too many people are being diagnosed with ADHD or autism. However, Dr. Skoglund emphasizes that people are not seeking a diagnosis for the sake of a label—they are looking for help. Many neurodivergent women struggle in a society that often feels mismatched to their needs, especially with the rising cognitive demands of modern life.
The goal of Letterlife is to raise awareness about the difficulties these women face. For too long, their struggles have been dismissed as exaggeration or imagination. Dr. Skoglund wants to ensure women receive the proper support to manage their health.
In one of her studies, Dr. Skoglund and her team surveyed 40,000 women diagnosed with neurodivergent conditions in Stockholm. Over half of these women also suffered from anxiety, underscoring the widespread nature of mental health challenges within this group. The strain on the healthcare system is significant, but the true cost is borne by the women themselves, who often feel misunderstood and unsupported. As Dr. Skoglund explains, helping these women feel better today is key to building a healthier society. Women play crucial roles not just in their families but in the workforce, particularly in healthcare. When they are not well, the effects ripple through society.
Letterlife’s Rapid Growth and Future Plans
Since its launch, Letterlife has seen rapid growth, expanding fivefold in just three months. The app is growing at a rate of 20% each month, with 55% of users continuing to use it after three months, indicating it is meeting a real need in the market.
The team is now planning a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the app’s effectiveness and its impact on users’ daily lives. One of the app’s most valuable features is its ability to help women understand how their medications interact with their menstrual cycles. This can be especially challenging for women with AuHDH, who may struggle with medication adherence or not realize how different phases of their cycle can affect their treatment.
Dr. Skoglund is optimistic about the future of Letterlife. She hopes to expand its reach and continues to push for greater attention to the unique needs of women with neurodivergent conditions. Through both her clinical work and research, Dr. Skoglund is dedicated to advancing understanding of neurodivergence in women and finding better ways to support them. She believes that future research must prioritize women to fully understand the spectrum of neurodivergent conditions and to offer effective solutions for those affected.
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