First let's review the primary symptoms of ADHD: inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity/restlessness.
Since ADHD in girls is a topic just starting to come to the forefront it probably comes as no surprise that this condition goes unnoticed and ultimately untreated much more often in girls than in boys.
While inattention is the main diagnostic symptom, hyperactivity is the ADHD symptom that tends to draw the most attention, thus forcing many parents to seek professional help.
While girls can be just as hyperactive as their male counterparts, they tend to not cause as much trouble or create as many problems.
Hyperactivity in girls often takes on the form of excessive talking, emotional behaviors, or silliness.
Girls with ADHD tend to talk constantly and can't seem to stay quite even when they get in trouble for talking.
They have a tendency to interrupt others constantly and jump from subject to subject during a conversation.
Does any of this sound familiar? Looks like a clear cut diagnosis of attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity, right? Not so fast screams the doctor! His professional opinion is that rather than having ADHD her behavior is simply a product of emotional or family problems.
He goes on to mention that she could be just feeling the effects of her parent's divorce a few years ago and acting out appropriately.
After all ADHD is only found in one out of every ten girls.
The above story clearly demonstrates that not only are girls less likely to be recognized as having ADHD symptoms they are also fighting the statistical battle as well.
Girls who do not show hyperactivity tend not to be behavioral problems, thus leading to a misdiagnosis.
This is almost always the case unless a learning disability is involved.
Another reason girls fail to get diagnosed is that when one eliminates the symptom of hyperactivity they fall into the nice, quite, and shy stereotype.
This nice little girl stereotype meets cultural expectations so people overlook their subtle learning difficulties.
This leads to such generalities such as slow to mature or will disappear with age.
For young girls there are many reasons why ADHD can go undetected for years.
With every passing year where ADHD goes undiagnosed the risk of serious long term damage to their self esteem, ability to achieve, relationships, and emotions is being done, leading to long term consequences.
These consequences may follow them for the rest of their lives.
In summary, ADHD in girls is still a condition that many experts are reluctant to acknowledge.
Hopefully, as more information becomes available this will start to change.
If you feel like you or your child many be plagued by ADHD symptoms such as inattention, impulsivity or hyperactivity don't hesitate to pursue a professional opinion.
Additionally, many parents and adults alike are opting for a natural treatment for ADHD symptoms rather than risk the chance of potentially harmful side effects associated with ADHD prescription medications.
These all natural treatments are extremely safe and have been shown to be effective in relieving such common symptoms as hyperactivity, distractibility and impulsivity.
Since ADHD in girls is a topic just starting to come to the forefront it probably comes as no surprise that this condition goes unnoticed and ultimately untreated much more often in girls than in boys.
While inattention is the main diagnostic symptom, hyperactivity is the ADHD symptom that tends to draw the most attention, thus forcing many parents to seek professional help.
While girls can be just as hyperactive as their male counterparts, they tend to not cause as much trouble or create as many problems.
Hyperactivity in girls often takes on the form of excessive talking, emotional behaviors, or silliness.
Girls with ADHD tend to talk constantly and can't seem to stay quite even when they get in trouble for talking.
They have a tendency to interrupt others constantly and jump from subject to subject during a conversation.
Does any of this sound familiar? Looks like a clear cut diagnosis of attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity, right? Not so fast screams the doctor! His professional opinion is that rather than having ADHD her behavior is simply a product of emotional or family problems.
He goes on to mention that she could be just feeling the effects of her parent's divorce a few years ago and acting out appropriately.
After all ADHD is only found in one out of every ten girls.
The above story clearly demonstrates that not only are girls less likely to be recognized as having ADHD symptoms they are also fighting the statistical battle as well.
Girls who do not show hyperactivity tend not to be behavioral problems, thus leading to a misdiagnosis.
This is almost always the case unless a learning disability is involved.
Another reason girls fail to get diagnosed is that when one eliminates the symptom of hyperactivity they fall into the nice, quite, and shy stereotype.
This nice little girl stereotype meets cultural expectations so people overlook their subtle learning difficulties.
This leads to such generalities such as slow to mature or will disappear with age.
For young girls there are many reasons why ADHD can go undetected for years.
With every passing year where ADHD goes undiagnosed the risk of serious long term damage to their self esteem, ability to achieve, relationships, and emotions is being done, leading to long term consequences.
These consequences may follow them for the rest of their lives.
In summary, ADHD in girls is still a condition that many experts are reluctant to acknowledge.
Hopefully, as more information becomes available this will start to change.
If you feel like you or your child many be plagued by ADHD symptoms such as inattention, impulsivity or hyperactivity don't hesitate to pursue a professional opinion.
Additionally, many parents and adults alike are opting for a natural treatment for ADHD symptoms rather than risk the chance of potentially harmful side effects associated with ADHD prescription medications.
These all natural treatments are extremely safe and have been shown to be effective in relieving such common symptoms as hyperactivity, distractibility and impulsivity.