ADHD FOR WOMEN & GIRLS
Attention Deficit - Hyperactivity Disorder
WHO GETS ADHD?
- ADHD develops in childhood and can happen to anyone, but your genes play a strong role
- It's estimated that between 5% to 11% of children have ADHD & many of them are girls
- Some kids outgrow it, but more than 3/4s of people who had ADHD in childhood will continue
to have it as adults
STATS ARE MISLEADING
- Boys are diagnosed with ADHD at least twice as often as girls are, but that doesn't necessarily mean that more boys have it
- Some experts say girls don't get diagnosed as much because their symptoms can be harder
to spot
LESS TO GO ON
- There isn't nearly as much research on ADHD in females as there is in males
- As a result, less is known about how it affects them
- ADHD always starts in childhood, but many females don't find out they have it until they're adults, if they find out at all
ADHD CAN BE DIFFERENT IN FEMALES
- There are 3 main kinds of ADHD
1. Inattentive,
2. Hyperactive-impulsive
3. Combined inattentive & hyperactive-impulsive - The inattentive type is most common in girls
- It doesn't always catch the attention of teachers & parents
HOW IT CAN SHOW UP
- Common symptoms of inattentive ADHD include
1 .Lack of focus & trouble listening & paying attention
2. Being easily distracted, disorganized & frequently forgetting & losing things
3. Failing to follow through
4. Making mistakes that seem careless
THE IMPACT OF ADHD IN SCHOOL
- As with boys, girls with ADHD often have trouble in school
- But they're less likely to get in trouble for acting out
- Girls with ADHD tend to be seen as day dreamers
- They may have a harder time socializing, too
EMOTIONAL & PHYSICAL TOLLS
- Girls with ADHD are more likely than boys with the disorder to blame themselves when they have problems getting things done
- Having ADHD can also make it hard to read social cues, which can make some girls feel insecure & it can interfere with their ability to make friends
- That can leave them prone to depression, anxiety & eating disorders
- Girls with ADHD are more likely to develop anorexia or bulimia than girls without the condition
DON'T IGNORE IT
- A diagnosis is the first step to getting the right treatment
- Medications & behavioral therapy can help you manage ADHD
- If you see signs of a problem, talk to a doctor
- Teachers don't suggest ADHD evaluations for girls nearly as often as they do for boys
- If a teacher refers your daughter, take it seriously
- If your child has ADHD, it's not going to go away
THE IMPACT FOR ADULT WOMEN
- ADHD can make it hard to stay on top of a job & handle the stresses of day-to-day life
- Women with ADHD might struggle to manage personal finances, complete household
tasks & care for children
MEDICATION & HORMONES
- Symptoms can change over time but hormones can make them change, too
- You might find that hormonal changes during your menstrual cycle, while pregnant or as
you enter menopause will impact how well medications work - If you notice a difference, talk to your doctor who will be able to adjust your medication
as needed
LIVING WITH ADHD
Having ADHD can be a challenge,
but it's one that children & adults alike can learn to handle
♦♦♦♦♦
ADHD | Health Challenges Directory
♦♦♦♦♦
Copyright © 2012 - 2017 KosherWoman.com
All rights reserved