9 Signs of ADHD That Are Different In Girls than In Boys
In the past, ADHD was perceived as naughty
and wild behavior in boys, but it is now known that the behavior
characteristic of such disorders has a biological basis and is not the
result of just childhood whims. Moreover, contrary to what was
previously thought, according to a study published in 2014, girls have
the same chances of developing ADHD as boys, but its symptoms are
expressed differently.
As a result, it is difficult to diagnose
women with ADHD, and many girls who live with these disorders feel
confused and insecure about what to do with themselves. In order for you
to know if there is any reason to suspect ADHD in your daughters, it is
important that you recognize the 9 symptoms that are expressed
differently in them then in boys.
1. Distracted behavior
One of the revealing signs of attention deficit disorder is the
inability to focus on tasks, speech, and other daily activities. This
sign is common for both boys and girls, but girls find it harder to
focus on what is in front of them and concentrate on what they need to
do. This increased distraction makes them daydream, become introverted,
and have difficulty maintaining concentration during school.
2. Impulsivity is reduced
"ADHD children tend to behave impulsively, meaning they act without
thinking about the results," says Dr. Mark Griffin, an ADHD specialist.
"In contrast, girls with ADHD often do not exhibit such behavior and do
not behave in an uncalculated way, which often makes it difficult to
know that they are indeed dealing with this problem.
3. Minor disturbances in school
Boys, especially in elementary and middle school, who cope with ADHD
tend to stand out in class in terms of their presence and character. On
the other hand, girls with disorders of this kind behave in the opposite
way and are shy, closed and do not express themselves in any way. This
behavior, which is not usually associated with Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder, is characteristic of ADHD- girls and their lack
of participation in the classroom is a sign of such a disorder.
4. Decreased hyperactivity
One of the symptoms of ADHD is hyperactive behavior, i.e., difficulty
sitting in one place for a while and wanting to move at all times. This
is true for ADHD among boys, but girls are less likely to have this type
of behavior. Therefore, other suspicious signs should alert your
attention to the existence of ADHD in girls, as hyperactivity is not one
of the telltale signs.
5. Feelings of shame and lack of
self-confidence
Every parent wants his child to have self-confidence that will enable
them to succeed in life and to conquer various life struggles, but some
children find it difficult to do so. This is especially true with girls
who cope with attention deficit disorders that make it difficult for
them to concentrate and causes them to experience difficulties in school
and in their personal life. As a result, girls with ADHD tend to blame
themselves for the difficulties they experience, which causes them to
lose their self-confidence and to be ashamed of themselves.
6. Feelings of isolation
Children with ADHD struggle to make friends, but girls have more social
problems than boys. In today's society, although it is more modern and
progressive than it used to be, girls are expected to absorb social
clues and read situations as they are because of their supposed innate
sensitivity, but girls who suffer from ADHD find this difficult. When
they fail repeatedly to decode social cues and codes, these girls
develop social problems and often become isolated or have very few
friends.
7. Hypersensitivity
Many children with ADHD struggle with regulating and controlling their
emotions, and so, intense feelings and disorders of this kind go hand in
hand. From this common point between boys and girls with ADHD, girls
experience hypersensitivity as a result of ADHD, which causes them to
have increased feelings in a myriad of areas. The difficulty of
emotional regulation causes them to be overwhelmed by feelings that can
erupt in unexpected moments and interfere in different situations.
8. Constant talking
According to Dr. Griffin, girls with ADHD tend to be chatty because they
can’t recognize the social cues that tell them to stop talking and give
others a chance to weigh in. In addition to talking incessantly, girls
with attention deficit disorder also tend to interject while others
speak, and are therefore perceived as deviant or even insolent when the
existence of their disorder is unknown.
9. Sense of depression and anxiety
Girls with ADHD are at an increased risk of depression and anxiety,
especially in adolescence, so it is important to be alert to this
condition. In addition, young girls and adolescents with ADHD tend to be
perfectionists and are generally high achievers usually adopting a
habit of over-concentration, which ultimately creates so much stress
that makes it difficult for them to get through their day peacefully.
Conclusion:
Diagnosing ADHD in girls can be more challenging than boys because this
problem is expressed in different ways. If you notice that your
daughters are showing some or all of the signs above, you may want to
seek expert advice to see if they have ADHD and if so, help them cope
with the challenges they face more easily.
T