ADHD in Girls
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was once a disorder usually assigned to boys, and thought to be highlighted by aggression and hyperactivity. But in recent years, doctors have begun realizing that girls, too can suffer from ADHD, with their own unique set of symptoms.
In girls, ADHD often (but not always) manifests itself with signs of — believe it or not — inattentiveness and withdrawal. Because for whatever reason girls are able to keep things together academically better than boys, they are often able to just retreat and fight the forces of ADHD on a daily basis in a quiet way. Usually, when school becomes more stressful and challenging, girls with ADHD seem to lose control, which is why girls are generally diagnosed later than boys. So what does it look like in girls? Some girls, of course, show the same characteristics as the “classic” ADHD boy: hyperactivity, aggressiveness, and risk taking. Girls with ADHD who show these signs may throw things or jump from high places; they may tend to get in more fistfights than many boys do. Other girls, and doctors claim this is the majority of girls with ADHD, tend to be moody, bored, and unable to cooperate in simple situations. These girls are retreating into themselves as a way to fight the feelings they have.
Another type of ADHD girl tends to be a big talker. This is the type who, some say, never shuts up. And while this sounds sociable on the surface, such girls can be “annoying” to other children because they jump from topic to topic and always want to talk the most. The chatty girl with ADHD may be the most overlooked before diagnosis, because of the cliché of chatty girls in our society. Think Gidget, or even Jan Brady. Girls are supposed to be chatty and funny and sometimes, a bit too much. But if you find your daughter's chatting is scattered, endless, and tends to annoy others, a closer look is warranted.
Question
If my daughter is moody, does she have ADHD?
Not necessarily. As most parents can tell you, every adolescent girl is moody (and they are lying if they claim otherwise of their child). Look for extreme or deep moods and changes and as always, seek medical advice.
It's a question that comes up all the time now: are people overmedicating children? With more and more children diagnosed with ADHD, it's hard to know what is right and what is good. For your daughter, you'll want to make sure she is in the care of a qualified medical team who uses behavior management techniques, medication, or a combination of the two to help her adapt to life with ADHD. Behavior management can be as simple as reward systems and as complicated as setting up a schedule for your child. Have a medical team help you to put together a program that works for her and works for you. If the program is supplemented with medications, talk to her medical provider about the chances of working toward a lifestyle and way of working within ADHD without them. If it comes down to the medication making her life better though, you'll want to choose the better life for your child. Another important issue with girls who have ADHD is self-esteem. Girls internalize more than boys. Make sure she understands the ramifications of her condition, and that you'll do all you can to give her all the tools she needs to be successful in life.
