ADHD in Girls

Molly S. McLaughlin, MA, LMFT

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurological disorder affecting the parts of the brain that control attention, impulses and concentration.  Current statistics estimate that 9.4 percent of school aged children have been diagnosed with ADHD. Historically it has been thought of as primarily a “boy’s disorder” due to their higher rate of diagnosis.

Today we understand that ADHD is not linked to gender and that girls are just as likely to have the disorder.  Despite these findings however, boys are 3 times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD. Even worse, girls with ADHD are diagnosed on average five years later than boys (boys at age 7, girls at age 12) prolonging their suffering.

The main reason for this discrepancy between genders is that ADHD presents itself differently in girls than in boys. Girls are more likely to have the “inattentive type” of ADHD. They may lose or misplace things often, forget their homework, daydream, or seem “spacey”. Boys on the other hand  show the more “classic” symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsiveness, difficulty sitting still, and disruptive or aggressive behaviors that are more externally noticeable (and troublesome) to others.

Because they cause fewer problems in the classroom and at home than their male counterparts, girls with ADHD are less likely to be referred for diagnosis and treatment.

Socialized to please their parents and teachers, girls can be very good at compensating for the disorder, making it difficult to recognize. When others do notice this behavior in girls it is often misunderstood as immaturity or lack of academic ability rather than ADHD.

What dangers do girls with undiagnosed and untreated ADHD face?

• Social pressures. Girls with ADHD experience more peer rejection than do boys.
• Low self-esteem.  Girls with ADHD often sense that they are "different" from other girls. Frequent criticism and repeated social blunders may lead to shame or humiliation, forming a negative self-image that can persist into adulthood.
• Difficulty meeting social expectations.  Social norms for girls in our society encourage neatness, gracefulness, sensitivity, and compliance with adults. These expectations can be difficult for the often disorganized, clumsy, and emotionally reactive girl with ADHD to meet.
• Greater risk for depression.  Girls with ADHD can be five times more likely to suffer from a co-existing mood disorder and three times more likely to have anxiety compared to girls without ADHD.
• Risky sexual behaviors.  Teenage girls with ADHD may be at greater risk for pregnancy and STDs than are other teenage girls. Many of these girls are prone to have unprotected sex, use birth control inconsistently, and/or have multiple partners.
• Greater risk for substance abuse and other addictive behaviors.  Adolescent girls with ADHD are more likely to abuse addictive substances, vape, smoke cigarettes, and develop eating disorders.

Because the majority of research on ADHD thus far has focused mainly on boys, we are only just beginning to understand more about ADHD in girls. If you suspect that your child may have ADHD, contact a mental health provider to inquire about testing.

Molly S. McLaughlin, MA, LMFT is a psychotherapist with Central Wisconsin Counseling Associates in Wisconsin Rapids, WI. Licensed in marriage and family therapy, she enjoys working with couples, families and individuals of all ages. She has been practicing in the local area for almost 15 years.