Diagnosis Delayed: Women and ADHD
The diagnosis of ADHD in women can be complicated by many factors. Here are some signs you may have ADHD and what you can do about it.
Girls, ADHD and Self-Injury
Recent studies confirm that girls with ADHD are at high risk of non-suicidal self-injury. Here’s how parents can recognize and handle the issue.
An Inward Spiral: Emotional Withdrawal in Women with ADHD
One of the ways that women with ADHD may cope with the difficulties of having the condition is to withdraw emotionally from those around them. This can negatively impact all their relationships, but especially with those closest to them, who could be a source of emotional support and understanding. If you are a woman with ADHD and suffering from emotional withdrawal, one of the most important steps you can take is to seek the help of a therapist. They can help you understand the why of your withdrawal, validate your feelings and develop better coping strategies.
Seeing the Signs of ADHD in Girls
For many years, ADHD was believed to be a childhood issue that mostly affected boys. But as our knowledge of ADHD has grown, we now know that girls are just as likely to have it as boys. The fact that boys are more frequently diagnosed may be due to the differences between how girls and boys experience ADHD. Here are some tips for recognizing ADHD in girls.
The Subtle Signature of ADHD in Adult Women
Researchers are now beginning to understand that ADHD manifests differently in adult men and women. ADHD in women is often difficult to spot. For this reason, many women unnecessarily suffer the feelings of overwhelm, exhaustion, depression and inadequacy that come with ADHD. There are signs which may indicate whether a woman has the condition, and steps she can take to get a diagnosis and treatment to improve the quality of life.
Important Information for Parents of Girls with ADHD
For 10 years a UC Berkeley team, led by Stephen Hinshaw, has been following a group of racially and socio-economically diverse group of girls with ADHD in the San Francisco Bay Area. The group was compared to 88 girls of similar backgrounds who do not have ADHD. Some of the study findings were alarming and concerning, Parents should be aware of the special issues and long term effects of ADHD on girls.
Girls with ADHD: An interview with Dr. Patricia Quinn
An interview with Dr. Patricia Quinn explores the special challenges faced by girls and women who have ADHD.