ADHD is consistently diagnosed more frequently in boys than girls. The problem is, ADHD is very common among all children, and untreated ADHD can lead to academic struggles, trouble with social relationships, and mental health issues from childhood into adulthood. Girls are more likely to be misdiagnosed or undiagnosed with ADHD since their symptoms are often less obvious than those of boys. Girls are also more likely to try to hide their symptoms so they don’t face social ridicule. As a parent or caregiver, it’s important to know what signs to look for so girls with ADHD can get a proper diagnosis and start a treatment plan. Here are 5 risks of untreated ADHD in girls and what to do if you think your daughter has ADHD.
Why Is ADHD Missed in Girls?
ADHD is often missed in girls for a number of reasons. First and foremost, ADHD can look different in girls than it does in boys. ADHD was originally thought to only affect boys because boys show more hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. These include symptoms like constant fidgeting, excessive physical movement, non-stop talking, and being unable to wait their turn. These signs are more overt and often cause disruption, making them hard to miss. They’re also over-represented in the literature.
Girls, on the other hand, tend to present more inattentive ADHD symptoms, such as forgetfulness, disorganization, and trouble following instructions, which are easier to miss and often overlooked. Girls are also more likely to “mask” their symptoms to fit in with societal expectations of being quiet and well behaved. Girls may overcompensate or try harder to cover up their symptoms, as they learn from a young age to moderate their behaviour to fit in. This can lead to their ADHD symptoms being dismissed or attributed to other factors, such as anxiety. It can also lead to a heightened risk of mental health issues in girls, including anxiety, depression, and even substance abuse.
5 Risks of Untreated ADHD in Girls
1. Low academic achievement
Common symptoms of inattentive ADHD include difficulty focusing, trouble organizing, and making careless mistakes. Inattentiveness also makes it harder to learn and retain information. This can lead to lower grades and academic incompetencies. Time management issues can also impact their academic achievement, as difficulty with planning and organization can lead to missed deadlines and other academic shortcomings.
2. Low self-esteem
When ADHD goes untreated, females are at a high risk for developing low self-esteem. They can often hide their struggles quite well, but inside they feel ashamed and suffer from low confidence. Societal expectations can make life challenging for females in general, but even more so if you’re struggling with a disorder you don’t know about. The inability to achieve academically, struggles with maintaining friendships, and feeling like you’re different, can all lead to feelings of inadequacy, lowering their self-esteem. It also doesn’t help to be unfairly labeled as lazy, spacey, or unmotivated all your life.
3. Increased risk of mental health conditions
Mental health issues like anxiety and eating disorders are more common in girls with undiagnosed ADHD. Untreated ADHD can leave girls wondering what’s wrong with them and can strain social relationships, causing young girls to feel isolated and unaccepted by their peers. This can lower their confidence, heighten anxiety and depression, and lead to issues like eating disorders.
4. Strained friendships
ADHD symptoms can make it challenging for girls to maintain friendships. They may act flighty, miss out on social cues, or make offhanded comments. If they present hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, they might be too loud or aggressive, have trouble waiting their turn, or seem immature to other girls their age. All of these things can lead to rejection from their peers, making it hard to make and keep friends. They’re also at an increased risk of bullying. This can lead to isolation and loneliness, raising the chances of developing other mental health conditions.
5. Substance abuse issues
Low confidence, self-esteem issues, and trouble making friends can make girls more susceptible to alcohol and drug use. Studies suggest that ADHD could be linked to low dopamine levels, and people with ADHD may be more inclined to abuse alcohol and drugs to make up for the lack of dopamine in their brains.
What To Do If You Think Your Daughter Has ADHD
The Lead Up
If you notice your daughter has trouble focusing, often forgets or loses things, or has issues with time management, you may be wondering if she has ADHD. It’s important to learn about the symptoms of ADHD, especially the inattentive type symptoms that are more difficult to pinpoint. It’s also helpful to look for patterns and keep track of behaviours you see over and over again, whether she regularly misplaces her belongings, is constantly doodling or often seems distracted or dreamy. While all kids may do things that look like ADHD from time to time, if you’re constantly noticing things, it’s best to keep track of them. You can also connect with your child’s teacher to see if similar things are happening at school.
Getting a Diagnosis
If you suspect your daughter has ADHD, schedule an appointment with her doctor. The doctor will do a checkup to make sure nothing else is causing the symptoms, and if not, then they’ll work toward an ADHD diagnosis. They’ll ask about your child’s health, behaviour, and activity, and you may have to fill out some checklists about your child’s behaviour. They’ll talk to you and your daughter about things you’ve noticed, and may ask you to give your child’s teacher a checklist too. After acquiring all this information, the doctor will make a diagnosis.
Post-Diagnosis
If your daughter is diagnosed, there are ways you can help. Talk to your daughter about her diagnosis and let her know everything will be okay. Learn everything you can about ADHD and her specific type, and follow the treatment plan her doctor recommends. This will typically include medicine, therapy, and a healthy lifestyle. Always talk openly and supportively about ADHD with your daughter and focus on her strengths and positive qualities.
It’s important to know the ADHD symptoms to look out for in girls to ensure they can get diagnosed and start treatment to manage their symptoms.
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