ADHD in Teenage Girls: Signs & Symptoms

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts essential cognitive functioning like focus and motivation.

It is most often diagnosed during childhood. Symptoms of ADHD include a consistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity. In addition, boys are diagnosed with ADHD at a higher rate than girls.

This article will provide insight into what ADHD is, how to spot ADHD in teenage girls, and why ADHD in girls can go undiagnosed until much later in life. 

How Does ADHD Impact Life in Childhood? 

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that can impact daily functioning and responsibilities like school, work, and interpersonal relationships in boys and girls.

While this disorder is most commonly diagnosed amongst children and adolescents, it is also possible for adults to receive this diagnosis, although they would have had undiagnosed symptoms in childhood. It is a disorder that can impact folks throughout their lifespan, but finding the proper treatment and support can significantly decrease the intensity of this condition.

According to the CDC, boys make up 12.9% of all children diagnosed with ADHD. Just 5.6% of girls are diagnosed with ADHD, meaning boys are diagnosed with this condition at double the rate of girls. 

Symptoms of ADHD include:

• A short attention span
• Missing minor details
• Inability to complete tasks
• Struggles with meeting deadlines
• Difficulty regulating emotions
• Appear to be unmotivated
• Excessive issues with timeliness
• A distracting level of restlessness or jitteriness
• Tendency to procrastinate
• Difficulty waiting for turns, interrupts conversations, impulsively blurts out answers

Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Teenage Girls 

While the symptom checklist for ADHD is the same for both boys and girls, how the symptoms present can be quite different. There are three subtypes of ADHD, and a recent study states that girls more commonly tend to have ADHD with an inattentive presentation. More boys are diagnosed with the hyperactive-impulsive presentation than girls. 

When looking out for signs of ADHD in the classroom, teachers are much more likely to notice a child who is acting out, can’t sit still, and is consistently speaking out of turn. These signs of ADHD align with the hyperactive-impulsive presentation of ADHD that boys tend to present with more frequently. This means that more boys are evaluated and eventually diagnosed with ADHD. 

Inattentive presentation, which girls commonly exhibit, can be easily missed since it isn’t as disruptive as hyperactive-impulsive presentation. It can be misinterpreted as a gendered personality trait, such as assuming a girl is shy, moody, or socially awkward.

Symptoms of inattention among girls include:

• Anxiety/sadness
• Being overly silly
• Daydreaming
• Picking at cuticles/nails
• Perfectionism
• Shyness
• Stimming
• Trouble maintain friendships

How Does ADHD Affect Teenage Girls? 

ADHD, especially when untreated, can significantly impact teenage girls. When puberty begins, for example, they can be written off as being simply overly emotional or even hormonal rather than experiencing symptoms of ADHD.

In turn, this can cause girls to become anxious and withdrawn and internalize these symptoms. Undiagnosed ADHD can lead to significant emotional and behavioral issues and challenges in school.

Why Can ADHD in Girls Often Go Undiagnosed? 

Girls tend to develop coping strategies that help them mask their ADHD symptoms. For example, if they struggle with focusing, they may instead direct their energy toward a subject or hobby where they excel. This can lead teachers, parents, and professionals to overlook attentional challenges in other realms.

Of note, in one study, adult women reported more severe symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity than men, suggesting that childhood symptoms of ADHD may have gone unnoticed in girls.

How You Can Support Your Child 

It is important to learn about ADHD and how it might present in girls. You can support your child by becoming attuned to how they present at home, with friends, and at school.

Checking In With Others That Spend Time with Your Teen

Checking in with your child’s teachers, coaches, extracurricular leaders, and other parents who spend time with your child is a great place to start when gathering more information about whether attentional challenges are present.

Support a Healthy Lifestyle

Living a healthy, balanced lifestyle as a teenager can be challenging. However, to avoid making ADHD symptoms worse, it is essential to get adequate rest and maintain a healthy lifestyle. As a parent or caregiver, it is crucial to ensure the availability of nutritious food and drink options, encourage physical activity (sports, nature walks, etc), and help your teen create a schedule that will optimize their health and well-being.

Be Patient and Provide Non-Judgmental Support

Maintaining a non-judgmental and open line of communication with your child is also very important. This can encourage your child to be honest with you and regard your relationship as one place where they don’t have to mask their symptoms.

Seek Professional Help

Your teenage daughter may need to see a counselor or therapist to sort through their feelings and develop skills to manage their ADHD symptoms. There are also alternative treatment methods to explore, such as neurotherapy.

Don't Forget to Take Care of Yourself

Finally, seeking support for yourself as a parent is also vital. Finding your own therapist can ensure that you’re tending to your emotional needs so you can be as present as possible for your child. You might also consider looking for a support group to learn and share with others in similar circumstances.

Final Thoughts

Being a parent is one of the greatest gifts and most challenging roles. While it can be scary to consider if your child is suffering, it can be life-changing for your child to receive unconditional support during a tough time. That being said, it is equally important you provide yourself with the same level of support. You're not alone, and you deserve the same amount of care you give to others.