Recently published research points to the fact that girls can be ADHD and that girls with ADHD often go unrecognized or undiagnosed. Likewise, as I noted in previous posts, girls with thyroid problems and/or depression are at increased risk for ADHD misdiagnosis and wrongful labeling.

Several differences between the behavior of ADHD boys and behavior of ADHD girls exist and often account for behavior-disordered girls being underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed:

• The majority of ADHD girls will have primarily inattentive type and will often be accused of being daydreamers, air-headed, spacey, or “just plain blonde”
• ADHD girls are less likely to be hyperactive as compared to ADHD boys
• ADHD boys are more likely to be impulsive, have legal problems and suffer academic-learning problems
• ADHD girls tend to hide their symptoms well and have fewer social problems.

As you can see, it’s little wonder that ADHD in girls is so easily missed and misdiagnosed! Many ADHD girls have symptoms that are so mild as to be missed by the best of ADHD-behavior medicine trained doctors. I caution parents, educators and health professionals to fully evaluate all behavior-disordered kids before labeling and treating them as ADHD, especially girls!
Dr. Frank

Previous posts on this topic:
Girls misdiagnosed with ADHD often suffer thyroid disorders

http://www.mistakenforadhd.com/414/girls-misdiagnosed-with-adhd-often-suffer-thyroid-disorders/

ADHD Misdiagnosis and Screening for Teen Depression

http://www.mistakenforadhd.com/287/adhd-misdiagnosis-and-screening-for-teen-depression/

Signs of Teenage Depression

http://www.mistakenforadhd.com/114/signs-of-teenage-depression/

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2. Signs of Teenage Depression
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4. Girls Can Be ADHD, Too
5. Teen Depression may be Misdiagnosed as ADHD