“När du hör ADHD tänker du inte på en flicka, du tänker på en pojke.” - Kitty Lassinantti (2014, s.12) Könade erfarenheter av ADHD: Strukturellt våld, normativ femininitet och rätten till hälsa i svensk hälso- och sjukvård.

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to contribute to the growing literature and research regarding ADHD in girls and women. The study aims to emphasize the importance of studying this subject through a perspective that takes account of justice and rights in regards to the Swedish healthcare system. This is done by analyzing qualitative data that has been generated through empirical insight from semistructured interviews with three women that have an ADHD diagnosis, as well as quantitative data that comes from statistics generated by Swedish organizations, through analytic theories. These theories include Johan Galtung’s theory about structural violence, Michel Foucault’s theory about power/knowledge and the theoretical framework that is known as the “Right to health” framework which was developed as an international framework that aims to create preconditions in which good health is promoted in the healthcare system. The study also aims to consider a perspective on existing prejudices about ADHD in girls and women associated with preconceptions based on gender and what is seen as normatively feminine in society. This is done by analyzing the qualitative data from the semistructured interviews through the conception of gender theory, normative femininity and theories about what is seen as normal regarding behavior. It also shines a light on how these prejudices reproduce through ignorance, distribution of power and marginalization of those who deviate from the norm that society has created. The results show that the Swedish healthcare system falls in short when it comes to providing girls and women with ADHD good quality healthcare. This is manifested through a lack of accessibility of healthcare, signs of gender inequalities and structural discrimination in the Swedish healthcare system which originates from prejudices about gender, specifically those about women with ADHD, and through a prevailing lack of knowledge about how ADHD affects girls and women. These findings have led to the conclusion that the Swedish healthcare system fails to provide equal and good health for everyone, and proceeds to show the importance of studying ADHD through a gender perspective.