ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that impacts cognitive functioning like focus, organization, and motivation. It’s often underdiagnosed in females since their symptoms tend to be less disruptive than their male counterparts. Daydreaming, forgetfulness and disorganization are a few signs that may go unnoticed. However, there are certain signs to look for to determine if your teen has ADHD. In this post, we discuss what to look for as well as ways to manage ADHD in teen girls.
What is ADHD?
ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactive disorder. It’s a common brain/developmental disorder that disrupts a person’s ability to manage their own emotions, thoughts, and actions. Those with ADHD experience trouble with impulse control, focusing and organization. Symptoms typically develop in childhood and can affect daily life including social relationships and school performance.
There are three subtypes of ADHD: hyperactive-impulse, inattentive, and combined.
- Hyperactive-impulse: Feel the need for constant movement. They often fidget, squirm or struggle to sit in one place. They may talk non-stop, blurt out answers or interrupt others, and they struggle with self control.
- Inattentive: Have difficulty maintaining attention, following detailed instructions, and organizing tasks and activities. They have weak working memory, are easily distracted, and often lose things.
- Combined: They demonstrate 6 or more symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity, and 6 or more symptoms of inattention.
ADHD In Teen Girls vs Teen Boys: What’s the Difference?
Symptoms of ADHD affect males and females differently, and because of this, ADHD is continuously underdiagnosed in females. Teen boys tend to be diagnosed with hyperactive-impulsive presentation, which means they’re more likely to act out, not sit still, and blurt out answers to questions. These are more recognizable signs of ADHD that are noticed at home and in the classroom.
Teen girls are more likely to exhibit inattentive presentation, which can easily be missed as it isn’t as disruptive. It’s commonly misinterpreted as a personality trait, such as being shy, moody, or socially awkward. Especially in the teenage years, once puberty hits, girls can be dismissed as being overly emotional or hormonal. Undiagnosed ADHD can lead to emotional and behavioural challenges that affect teen girls in everyday life. Getting a proper diagnosis can help teen girls manage their ADHD and work towards being more productive and feeling happier.
ADHD In Teen Girls: 14 Signs and Symptoms
- Short attention span and difficulty focusing
- Daydreaming
- Anxiety/sadness
- Forgetfulness and losing things often
- Picking at cuticles/nails
- Difficulty organizing tasks and activities
- Messy room, locker or book bag
- Extremely sensitive
- Social awkwardness and sometimes problems keeping friends
- Perfectionism
- Over reliance on social media
- Appear to be unmotivated
- Excessive issues with timeliness
- Tendency to procrastinate and trouble meeting deadlines
6 Ways to Manage ADHD In Teen Girls
1. Create a Routine
Having a daily routine with set times for meals, sleep, extracurriculars, chores and homework will help with your teen’s sense of well-being. It provides stability for them and can help them stay on top of tasks at hand. It can also help with timeliness and procrastination tendencies. If they know they should be doing chores or homework at a certain time each day, it can improve their time management skills and their commitment to responsibilities.
2. Help with Organization Hacks
Since teen girls with ADHD tend to have difficulty with organization, help them by using tools like planners and phone apps to help them organize tasks and activities. A day planner can help them stay on top of their homework and assignments and can be a creative outlet for them (use coloured highlighters, pens, etc.). There are also specific ADHD planners designed to help them organize their goals, beat distraction, and get simple tasks done.
3. Talk with Your Teen
One of the best things you can do is continuously talk to your daughter about her ADHD, how she’s managing it, and how you can help. Talk to her about how it affects her at school, at home, and with friends, and show understanding. Create goals together, and help her see that it’s her job to manage her emotions, attention, and actions, and that you’ll help. Start by working on one goal at a time so it’s not too overwhelming but you’re still making progress.
4. Prioritize Sleep
Healthy sleep habits can help your teen in every area of her life. Poor sleep can further affect your teen’s ability to concentrate and stay productive, enhancing her symptoms. Proper sleep can help with academic performance, motivation, and energy levels. Establish a consistent bedtime routine, make sure the temperature in her room is comfortable, and avoid heavy meals and screen time at least an hour before bedtime. Engaging in daytime physical activity and exercise can also help your teen get a better sleep at night.
5. Encourage Exercise
Speaking of physical activity, daily exercise can improve attention and school performance in those with ADHD. If your teen isn’t enrolled in a sport or activity they love already, work with them to find one they really enjoy. This may be soccer, basketball, gymnastics, dance, skiing, swimming or martial arts. Physical activity also helps boost your mental state, lowering anxiety and making you feel happier overall.
6. Help Her Discover Her Strengths
Teens with ADHD can get a lot of criticism, which can impact their self-esteem and make them feel like they can’t do anything right. However, those with ADHD have many strengths, including quick thinking, creativity, and playfulness. Not to mention any personal talents that don’t have to do with their ADHD. Helping your teen discover her strengths and finding ways to use them on a regular basis can help boost her self-esteem.
If your teen has recently been diagnosed with ADHD, these are some things you can do to help her manage it.
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