ABSTRACT
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in girls tends to be of the inattentive variety, which tends to be overlooked—sometimes until middle school, high school, or even adulthood. One of the most upsetting characteristics of ADHD in girls is this—there is a far higher rate of major depressive disorders and anxiety disorders among young women with ADHD than among young men, and the rate of mood disorders continues to climb into adulthood. Women with ADHD suffer disproportionately from bipolar disorder. New research has shown that over the long term, ADHD in adolescent girls is a persistent disorder with symptoms that can carry into adulthood. As schoolwork gets more challenging and demands grow greater, the performance gap between students with ADHD and their friends without ADHD tends to widen. Extracurricular activities are a valuable part of the middle school and high school experience.
