ADHD differs from ADD whereby people with ADHD are more constantly active and show symptoms like excessive talking, squirming/fidgeting, and are unable to do "quiet activities," among other symptoms. Typically, these two disorders are put together and will be referenced in this article as ADHD/ADD. This is also a complex disorder with many symptoms, and you can read more here. This disorder must also be diagnosed by a professional.
Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder and Attention Deficit Disorder are neurological disorders that may cause children (and adults) to have trouble focusing on tasks and be overly active. This disorder is commonly associated with boys who are disruptive during class, but what about girls?
Boys exhibit more disruptive symptoms than girls, which makes boys seem more like the "trouble-makers" and "problem children" of classrooms. This is because boys are more likely to demonstrate hyperactive (H) symptoms of ADHD/ADD than girls. Symptoms of ADHD/ADD in boys include fidgeting, physical aggression, and interrupting the conversations and activities of others. Although these symptoms are sometimes In a classroom setting, it is obvious why ADHD/ADD are more easily identified in boys: they are more disruptive.
Girls, on the other hand, present quiet symptoms. The girl in the corner who always stares out the window with her head in her hands may not just be "zoning out." Rather, she may be exhibiting symptoms of ADHD. Girls typically fall under the Attention Deficit (AD) part of ADHD/ADD rather than the hyperactive. Many times, girls struggle with anxiety and may appear to be withdrawn or have low self-esteem. This makes ADHD/ADD more difficult to detect in girls because these are often written off as character traits. This leads to less diagnosis and ultimately less help for girls with the disorder.
For girls, the lack of ADHD/ADD treatment is also perpetuated by stigma. A girl zoning out in class can often fall under the stereotype of "dreamy" or "ditzy" when, in actuality, it is a disorder that affects every aspect of life. A girl who doodles on her papers may appear as just a girl doing "girly things," not a girl who needs help. The stereotype for ADHD/ADD is the little boy running around a classroom or a house, but we need to look beyond that and recognize that ADHD/ADD manifests itself differently between the genders.
ADHD/ADD is not limited to childhood, it is a disorder that persists throughout adulthood. If left untreated, it can harm girls psychologically with self-esteem issues, anxiety, and depression. It's not too late to receive a proper diagnosis if you think this might apply to you (by a proper medical professor, of course).
Here are some resources on ADHD/ADD in girls:
American Psychological Association
- ADHD in Girls: What to Know ›
- Future - Why is ADHD missed in girls? - BBC ›
- ADHD in Girls: How to Recognize the Signs & Symptoms of ADHD ›
- Girls with ADHD Face Unique Challenges | Smart Kids ›
- ADHD in Girls | Signs of Attention Disorders | Child Mind Institute ›
- How to Recognize ADHD in Girls ›
- ADHD in Girls: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments, and More ›
- ADHD in Girls and Women: Symptoms and Treatment for ADD in ... ›
- ADHD in girls: Symptoms, early warning signs, and complications ›
- 20 Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Girls ›