How Does ADHD Affect Teen Girls?
When you hear about ADHD, does the image of a boy come to mind? One who is hyper, doesn’t pay attention, or is generally what some would call “rowdy?” What comes to mind when you hear the words ADHD and girl muttered in the same sentence? *crickets.*
If you find that you are having trouble associating ADHD with a female, then you aren’t alone. The truth is, many people commonly just associate ADHD as something that boys can experience, not girls. However, both girls and boys are equally susceptible to experiencing ADHD.
Let’s take a look at how teenage girls typically experience ADHD.
ADHD And Teenage Girls
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is most commonly associated with children or teenagers. However, ADHD is commonly experienced by people of all ages, even adults. Teenage boys experience the hyperactivity part by constantly moving around, being fidgety, or being overactive. ADHD in teen girls, however, is a little bit more difficult to spot.
Symptoms Of ADHD In Girls
Some classic signs of ADHD in a teen girl may include:
Daydreaming often
Being shy or inattentive to their peers
Feeling sad or anxious more frequently than others
Being silly a lot or what some may call “ditzy”
Perfectionism
Difficulty with maintaining friendships
Unable to concentrate for long periods of time
Hyperactivity In Girls
A boy may exhibit ADHD by constantly moving around or being really fidgety and restless. A girl, on the other hand, will show her hyperactivity by talking a lot. However, this is often more seen as being “chatty” than anything else, which makes an ADHD diagnosis even more challenging for girls.
Inattentive ADHD
Teen girls are more likely to experience a specific sub-type of ADHD, known clinically as “ADHD, Predominantly Inattentive Presentation.” Someone with the predominantly inattentive subtype of ADHD may experience:
Short attention span
Forgetfulness
Being easily distracted
Difficulty finishing assignments or projects
Not being detail orientated
Why Do Girls Go Undiagnosed More Frequently?
If you looked at any of the above symptoms without seeing this post, would your mind immediately jump to ADHD for your teenage girl? We are betting not. Part of it is due to the fact that ADHD is commonly associated with more behavioral signs, such as the fidgeting and restlessness that boys will display.
And for whatever reason, boys are just more likely to be tested for ADHD than a girl will. Part of this is the stigma surrounding ADHD. And a lot more has to do with girls showing fewer outward signs of ADHD. Because of this, girls suffer from ADHD underneath the surface. Even though there may be fewer outward, disruptive, or “showcase-y” types of symptoms, that doesn’t mean that girls aren’t dealing with ADHD as well. They just exhibit it very differently than a boy would.
How To Help Your Teenager Deal With ADHD
If you are starting to think that maybe your teenage girl is dealing with ADHD, you may be wondering about what to do next. Even though ADHD is challenging and makes life different, it doesn’t mean it’s a terrible diagnosis.
First, it’s important to recognize that teachers or other professionals in their lives won’t immediately suspect ADHD. As a parent, it’s important to be more proactive and reach out for help for their teenage girls. You can begin by visiting their family physician and expressing your concerns about their child. From there, they can help you find referrals such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. Medication, in some cases, may be prescribed to help them.
In any case, talk therapy can be powerful in helping your teen learn how to cope with their symptoms, and self-advocate for their needs at school, especially commonly co-occurring symptoms of depression or anxiety. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help with teen therapy.
