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(This is coming from my series on @functionalish over on “The Instagram” called #thisisourstory. Feel free to take a peek!)
I put this post over here because it got waaaaaaayyyyyyy toooooooooooo loooooooooooooonnnnnnnngggggg. A word of explanation, too—it also has LOTS OF CAPS because you cannot bold or italics on Insta and I’m feeling WAY too lazy to undo them all right now.)
As we started our various experiments with homeschooling, which we’ll get to tomorrow, it became quickly apparent we needed to once again address the attention struggles Keira had been diagnosed with in 5th grade. Because there are a variety of subtypes, I’m going to describe specifically what my daughter is diagnosed with: attention deficit disorder, inattentive type, and I’m going to talk about how it particularly impacts girls with changing hormones.
First, it’s important to note that not all attention disorders (and can we just agree we hate the word “disorder?”) include hyperactivity, yet for some reason the vast majority of the literature does. Therefore, although it is equally if not more common for girls to be diagnosed with ADD than ADHD (such as my daughter), I’m going to follow what’s in the literature.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as I’m sure most of you are aware, is one of the most common childhood disorders, affecting between 8-10% of children and teens. More boys than girls are diagnosed with ADHD, but this may be because ADHD often looks different in girls. In girls, and especially teens, you tend to see less outward, disruptive (and therefore “diagnosable”) behavior and more things like:
Inattention: Girls with ADHD may find it hard to concentrate, unable to focus long enough to complete a task at home or school—unless they find something interesting; then they can be wholly absorbed by it.
Distractibility: Girls with ADHD may be easily distracted by what is happening outside, or by their own thoughts. (Or by doodling. But I’m ahead of myself.)
Impulsivity: Girls may experience strong emotions, and this may leave them unable to slow down or to think about what they say or do. It can be hard for them to know what is and is not safe or socially appropriate, which can get them in trouble at times.
Executive malfunctions: Organizational skills may pose a challenge—things like time management skills and following multi-step directions or completing a task. They also may often lose items, such as a PHONE or important papers. (Keira lost/broke FIVE.)
In addition to these difficulties, puberty poses another interesting challenge for young women with ADHD because they not only experience the initial onset of hormonal changes but they then also experience monthly hormonal changes, ALL of which impact their ADHD symptoms. Research shows the symptoms of ADHD often intensify for girls during puberty when estrogen increases in their bodies. Sleep problems may develop or worsen, and difficulties such as distractibility, inability to focus, disorganization, and feeling overwhelmed may become more prevalent. All of this can lead to increased self-consciousness and feelings of inadequacy. Self-esteem may plummet as a girl begins to internalize negative thoughts about herself. (Doesn’t THAT sound fun?)
PMS becomes an interesting cycle (no pun intended) (well, maybe just a LITTLE) because the hormonal fluctuations that occur throughout a female’s menstrual cycle can worsen symptoms of ADHD AND girls with ADHD ALSO tend to have more problems with PMS symptoms, which becomes a NOT FUN THING for EVERYONE.
It’s helpful to know that many girls first begin to have their most significant struggles with ADHD when they reach high school—which is interesting, because I had always been taught it was 4th grade. But apparently, because grades K through six aren’t as challenging as higher grades, a girl with undiagnosed ADHD might do fine in elementary school—and then falter in HS because they could no longer get by with working at 50 percent efficiency. (Especially if being home schooled by a mother who doesn’t know how to home school and leaves you with your work to do for the day and goes off to work. OOPS.) And it can often be difficult for a teacher who has a student an hour a day, or a parent who is working with her back to you and doesn’t know you’re actually just doodling for hours, to pick up on the problem (or know how to handle it).
And while I know this is already long, I would be remiss to not mention that for girls with this diagnosis, ADHD is a constant stimulation-regulating challenge for them. (Think of caffeine and Dramamine battling it out in your brain.) When their brains are optimally aroused with stimulation from the environment, they focus incredibly well (e.g., when they’re engaging with social media). Sometimes seeking greater stimulation, sometimes avoiding it, their hyper-sensitive physiology is difficult to balance.
When overstimulated, they may become irritable, impatient, and yell, “leave me alone!” When understimulated, they may become lethargic, unmotivated, and complain that they’re bored. Seeking “high stim,” many girls impulsively turn to food, caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, drugs, sex, and other high-risk activities. THIS IS BAD and can often lead to painful trial-and-error. Ideally, they discover the right balance of healthy stimulation that allows them to be successful. But this is not always the case, unfortunately. So catching it early and getting ADHD-informed help is IMPERATIVE.
Finally, it is VERY interesting to note that, in addition to POSSIBLE issues like chronic stress, low self esteem, anxiety and depression, and underachievement, girls and women with ADHD MAY ALSO BE AT A HIGHER RISK OF STRESS-RELATED DISEASES SUCH AS FIBROMYALGIA, A DISORDER THAT CAUSES TIREDNESS AND PAIN.
DID. YOU. JUST. READ. THAT? Let me say that again:
Girls and women with ADHD MAY ALSO BE AT A HIGHER RISK OF STRESS-RELATED DISEASES SUCH AS FIBROMYALGIA, CHRONIC PAIN, TICS OR TOURETTE’S, DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, EMOTIONAL DISTRESS SYNDROME, EATING DISORDERS, AND OTHER ISSUES.
SHUT. THE. FRONT. DOOR.
Because did I mention *I* also have ADD?
And how many of YOU do TOO?
?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
I’ve already gone WAY TO LONG (speaking of impulse control—but ALL THIS INFORMATION!!!!!) and I can’t think of how to close this, because my Adderal is wearing off, so I’ll leave you with this:
Our bodies are mysterious things, my friends.
And it’s ALL INTERCONNECTED.
ALL. OF. IT.