Understanding Girls with ADHD

Did you know that girls with ADHD are more likely to:
• Be diagnosed with depression or anxiety?
• Experience a worsening of symptoms in their teens?
• View their difficulties with organizing and prioritizing as character flaws?
• Suffer from low self-esteem because of their ADHD symptoms?

ADHD can contribute to unique challenges that only girls with the disorder confront. Learn what you can do, anchored in the latest research, to guide girls through the challenges of ADHD.

Ellen B. Littman, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and has been involved with the field of attention disorders for more than 27 years. Described by the American Psychological Association as a pioneer in the identification of gender differences in ADHD, she has a particular expertise with issues affecting women and girls.

Dr. Littman is co-author of the book Understanding Girls with ADHD and contributing author of Understanding Women with ADHD. In her private practice Dr. Littman focuses on high IQ adult and adolescent ADHD populations. She specializes in identifying and treating complex presentations of ADHD that may be misinterpreted or overlooked.

Resources:

For additional information on ADHD:

Book Link: Understanding Girls with ADHD

#ADD #ADHD #GirlswithADHD

[rubberbiscuit]

This speaker describes my childhood. Finally diagnosed with inattentive ADHD, age 47.

[TheRealMrsMVP]

I want to cry. Every single thing that I see as a character flaw....it's ADHD. (Inattentive). I figured this out MYSELF!. I went to a psychiatrist and got diagnosed. Once I knew for sure, I started reading about it. There are so many things that make sense now!

[sumernoel]

I feel tears welling up. I started researching this topic for my son who is very outwardly displaying the hyperactive ADHD. But this popped up & I was curious. OMG 😳 This is me! More importantly, this is my daughter (inattentive)! I’ve seen nearly all these behaviors but didn’t recognize them as ADHD…trouble with relationships, very sensitive, emotional reactivity - especially as puberty was approaching- at the same time started the lack of organization/forgetfulness, etc. OMG And I’ve been so hard on her. 😞 Then, I realize that I have these symptoms younger & now…a little differently now. Friends called me spacey, I have trouble following through & feel shame about it, definitely difficulty when hormones play up. Holy crap! This is a game changer. I’m really sad that I didn’t recognize this & deal with it better. BUT, I feel hopeful that I can change my approach & perspective towards all of us. Thank you so much for this information 🙏🙏🙏🙏💙💙💙💙💙

[Heather-xmul]

I have watched myself fly into rages over absolutely miniscule things, and now watch my daughter burst into tears over absolutely everything. I would say that ADHD's emotional reactivity OFTEN manifests as being TOO sensitive.

[Sarah-Gee]

This has to be the best video on ADD/ADHDin girls/women I have heard. This really should have views in the millions. Dr Littman’s expertise shone in this presentation and she covered so much! 👏👏👏

[lauralerro]

My daughter is 13 and has ADHD. I’m so thankful for information such as this. I do not have ADHD but do have bipolar disorder so I understand the seriousness of this subject matter.
My daughter has a doctor’s appt. next month with a neurologist. She was seeing a therapist until the pandemic hit. She’s quite shy, so she’s not comfortable with telehealth sessions.
Thank you so much for posting this invaluable information.

[quotidian]

This is me with allergies, I was hospitalized almost put on a ventilator, I shut down often, I was very very shy, dont sleep well, always doodling to stay awake in class. So much.

[LivesOnStars]

I've transcribed and translated this so my mother could read it. I'm an adult now, so the tips for managing me are a little too late, but it's exactly what my experience during my childhood has been like.

[katietheskeptic]

Wow. Listening to this explained my childhood, my adolescence and adulthood. Things I didnt know where even related to adhd and that have made me feel like somewhat of a freak my whole life. This was both depressing in that it's coming to me so late in my struggle, but so very encouraging that theres hope!

[annekaenglish]

I am crying as I listen to this. Everything makes so much sense. I am 42 years old and I had a substance use problem and I was told I was possibly ADHD at the rehab center. And I ignored it and thought it was just my pill use. But now I am 4 years clean and I am in school to be a substance use counselor. But I am thinking I am ADHD for real. I have an appointment with a psychiatric nurse practitioner this next Monday 11/15. I am hoping my whole life will finally come to an explanation of what my life has been like. Because everything you said is so spot-on for me as a child and a woman. Thank you for making this video.

[CC-kkyh]

It's difficult to power through the audio quality. Helpful content though! This resonates as an adult woman with ADHD struggling to be understood by both myself and my support network..

[KristensMusicCorner]

Wow. This is me. 100%. First 10 mins. I’m nearly 30, and still haven’t been formally diagnosed. No matter what I achieve, I don’t feel more competent or good about myself. I experienced early trauma. Just wowowowow.

[sammylove]

1:03:00 The point that Dr. Littman makes at this point in the video is so important to know and to spread the word about so others can do this for their daughters.

[joannemiller]

Thankyou for this. My 11 yr old was diagnosed today. I had no idea because my only knowledge of ADHD was the hyperactive boy who couldn't behave. I didn't know inattentive type existed. Nobody said anything because nobody noticed. She's so well behaved but in recent years has been suffering so much. I wish we'd known sooner. But I'm so glad we know now.

[sammylove]

My niece is 8 and has ADHD. She used to take Ritalin but she got really skinny, like frail-skinny and would not eat while on it. Now she doesn’t take it anymore but still doesn’t eat much. Her weight did go back to normal though. Anyhow, I’m always researching the best ways to help her become strong and happy and confident. This has been such a helpful and knowledgeable presentation! Thank you.

[sunajohnson]

this is so me. I am 52 years old and this explains me . I hope for young ladies who are treated to understand themselves and thrive. Society please dont treat these females like outcast, we are born this way, even when on adhd medication I still struggle with wanted to be well adjusted .

[HostileWorkplaceEXPOSED]

55in diagnosed a year ago. This is one of the best podcast I have listened to. I listened to hundreds of them. Explains my life as a child and even as an adult

[Rasheens-Story]

I’m 25 and just figured it out now I have to go get diagnosed. Now all my behavior during puberty makes sense I wish I was diagnosed sooner. I’m one of the gifted adhd with the high in so now I know why it took soooo long to get diagnosed but it still makes me sad to finally know. I don’t have to live in my head a lone anymore.

[jhizall]

The dopamine hot from working out makes my brain function much better. I’d rather get it from doing something healthy than doing it with drugs alcohol or food

[MizzAri]

I suspect my 8 year daughter has adhd. I talked to her doctor about everything and her doctor said it sounds like adhd. I'm in the process of getting her diagnosed and getting therapy. She tends to mask in front of other people but not with her family.