Researchers have just announced results of the first long-term study of girls with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The scientists noted that although an estimated 4.4 million American children have ADHD, it has often been under-diagnosed in girls because their behavior tends to be less disruptive than that of boys with the disorder. The effects of ADHD can be just as significant, however, and can impact peer relationships, school performance, substance abuse, and psychological problems such as mood and anxiety disorders.
The good news is that researchers say girls respond just as well to treatment as boys. Treatment often consists of both medication and behavior therapy. Some doctors caution, however, that further study is needed that will lead to treatments specifically designed for the ways girls relate to the world. Seems like a worthy avenue of study.
Something quite similar happened to me! I however was first diagnosed at 27 with ADHD for the first time as well as depression. The ADHD diagnosis likely did not come sooner for the exact reason stated; I was not the type of child/teen/adult to act out. I just had a *terrible* time focusing.
Oddly enough my diagnosis was reviewed nearly a year later when I was 28 and was converted to a diagnosis of BiPolar II (which quite often presents itself as Depression adn ADHD.)
In short, all of us as parents and future parents need to be attentive to the warning signs and insist on help from professionals if we think something is wrong. Our children will thank us for it!