Linguistic Dynamics: Women vs. the General Population in Reddit’s ADHD Discussions

Understanding how language reflects the experiences of individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is important for developing targeted support strategies. This research investigates the linguistic patterns exhibited in discussions within women-centric and general ADHD population on Reddit, exploring how gender influences language use. By analyzing language, the study uncovers unique linguistic patterns and illuminates how women with ADHD express themselves, share experiences, and seek support compared to the general ADHD population. By leveraging deep learning-based embedding, clustering and named entity recognition, the study conducts a comprehensive analysis. Results reveal that women with ADHD emphasize themes like “ADHD Awareness and Diagnosis” and “Emotional Well-being”. Conversely, the general population highlights “Medication and Treatment”, and “Work and Academic Challenges”. Statistical tests confirm significant differences in both linguistics and emotional expression between the two groups, emphasizing the importance of gender considerations in understanding ADHD language nuances and tailoring interventions accordingly.