Girls with ADHD: A Practical Guide to Recognize the Symptoms and Help Young Women Overcome the Struggles of Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder - Tips and Organizing Solutions for Parents

By Jennifer Smith

Attention: teachers, parents, and counselors!

 

Are you looking for more profound and positive ways to help girls with ADHD?

Do you struggle to understand why things are the way they are for your little one?

Would you like to understand how they think, why they believe it, and take proven action steps to help?

If you answered “Yes” to at least one of these questions, please read on…

 

 

ADHD may not seem like a serious condition, but for people, especially children who are suffering, it can be a nightmare to deal with every single day, and as a parent, teacher, or even a counselor, it’s your duty to understand them, and have enough knowledge to help them manage it and thrive through life instead of just surviving and letting it rule their lives.

And inside this book, I will give you everything you need to help your loved one do just that and even more.

Check out what’s inside:

-Four ADHD Facts Every Parent Should Be Informed About

-Why is ADHD called a Silent Suffering for girls, and what can you do about it once you know that?

-Are Boys and Girls different when it comes to ADHD-PI? What are these differences?

-Top Three Questions Parents Have About Children With ADHD and a descriptive answer next to each one

-A Practical Guide to ADHD for Parents – here are the exact steps to help your child

-ADHD Checklist for Parents – make sure you are on track with your helping tasks daily

-The Tests for ADHD Evaluation – which ones should you consider doing?

-The most common causes of ADHD, where it really started, and why?

-How to recognize the signs and symptoms of ADHD?

-ADHD Medications for Children – what you should know about them before you go to a therapist and do you really need any

-So much more!

This book will help you a lot if you have a girl with ADHD or any concerns about her behavior and want to help her.

 

So don’t wait. Get Your Copy Today!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Publishdrive
• Release date: Jun 14, 2022

Jennifer Smith

Jennifer Smith married Aaron, her best friend, in 2007. Their first few years of marriage were challenging in many ways; however, God helped reconcile their marriage relationship. Jennifer began sharing positive encouragement for marriage through UnveiledWife.com in March 2011. With her husband’s support and help, she has traditionally published The Unveiled Wife and self-published a thirty-day marriage devotional titled Wife After God, as well as 31 Prayers for My Husband, 31 Prayers for My Future Husband, and 31 Prayers for My Son and Daughter. Aaron and Jennifer have been working together as a team for the last decade, using their giftings to produce over ten books and help others draw closer to God through their website marriageaftergod.com. The Smiths are eager to continue working together to fulfill God’s purpose for their marriage by publishing Christian marriage books and resources and hosting a weekly Marriage After God podcast as a means to inspire others in their marriage and faith journey. They live with their five young children in central Oregon.

Book preview

Introduction

There are a variety of childhood illnesses that affect children in different ways. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is one such condition. ADD is another name for ADHD, but ADHD covers a broader range than ADD. Different sorts of ADHD classifications exist to aid in diagnosing children and providing the most accurate therapy. ADHD is a mental illness that manifests itself in childhood. When a child is diagnosed with ADHD, she must learn to live with it rather than outgrow it. It's worth noting, though, that many adults who had ADHD as a child find it easier to handle as adults because they're already aware of the disorder and its symptoms. Everyone who has a child who occasionally misbehaves, or if a teacher wants a meeting with a parent to discuss a child's conduct, must wonder what ADHD is. The truth is that most children act out as part of their maturation and testing of limits at home and at school. So, how can a parent tell the difference between ADHD and typical child behavior? Parents should be aware that ADHD affects up to 5% of school-aged children. When a child reaches puberty, the symptoms may fade. When a child has ADHD, they are unable to concentrate, move around wildly, perform poorly in school, and behave in a disruptive manner in both the classroom and at home.

Moreover, if you're wondering what ADHD symptoms are, just take into cognizance that a child with ADHD may be unable to sleep, cry for no apparent reason, have no established sleeping pattern, be difficult to feed, be continuously thirsty, beat her head on anything repeatedly, and have tantrums. If a child has a short attention span, is active, appears impulsive in their movements, is fearless, has poor coordination, has short term memory, and doesn't have a personality that adjusts to their surroundings or other people, doesn't have good self-esteem, doesn't eat well or sleep well, or cannot perform well in school, that child may have ADHD.

When a parent needs to know what ADHD is, it's crucial that they not only comprehend the condition and the symptoms it creates but also learn how to cope with it. There are a variety of symptoms associated with ADHD; however, these symptoms can also be associated with other disorders that must be cleared out. Therefore, the child's doctor will perform a set of tests to identify whether the child has ADHD or another condition. By and large, when a child is diagnosed with ADHD, a treatment plan must be developed and strictly followed in order to help the child learn to cope with the illness. If children don't understand why they're feeling this way, they may blame themselves and become even more depressed. It's vital to remember that a child with ADHD can live a normal life if the condition is recognized and treated with love and understanding

Chapter 1: Things to Know About ADHD

woman in white knit sweater lying on dried leaves

What Is ADHD?

ADHD is real and valid. The sooner we recognize the patterns and learn to work with these kids, the better assured we will be that they as adults will be healthy members of society.

– Rhonda Van Diest

The term ADHD is often used, yet few people truly understand what it entails. A child's hyperactivity does not necessarily imply that they have ADHD. ADHD is a developmental disorder that causes inattentiveness, overactivity, impulsivity, or a combination of the above, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Various sources dispute the exact number of children who suffer from this illness, although it is estimated to be between 5 and 10% of the population. To put it another way, in a school of 25 children, it's probable that 1-3 of them will be affected. Interestingly, males are diagnosed with ADHD more frequently than females, but some experts believe this number is skewed since it is generally believed that guys are more susceptible to the illness than girls. ADHD is a problem that affects people of all ages. It is just as likely to affect girls as it is to affect boys.

In the same vein, ADHD, is among the most divisive afflictions of the 21st century. The politics and money surrounding the condition and its treatment make it particularly divisive. It also doesn't help that, despite the fact that millions of children and people around the world have been diagnosed with ADHD, no doctor or expert has been able to determine a clear cause, reason, or remedy. In addition, as new scientific discoveries are made, the definition of ADHD evolves. So, what exactly is ADHD? Despite the fact that doctors and specialists on the issue have differing perspectives on how ADHD develops and should be treated, there are two primary schools of thought on how to manage this condition effectively.

The perspective of traditional Western medicine is the most often employed. ADHD is a developmental condition caused by an imbalance in the brain's neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that carry messages and signals between brain cells. When a person's neurotransmitters are insufficient, she will experience uncontrollable hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention, which are the three primary symptoms of ADHD. To be diagnosed with ADHD, a child or adult must meet at least 12 of the 18 criteria. After receiving a diagnosis, the client will be prescribed ADHD drugs to alleviate the symptoms.

The second school of thought looks at ADHD in a way that goes beyond what typical Western medicine has to offer. The holistic approach sees the problem as the outcome of imbalances in the individual's body and psyche rather than just a chemical imbalance in the brain. According to this viewpoint, ADHD is a spectrum condition, meaning that it affects everyone differently. There are no two people with ADHD who have identical symptoms. This is why some ADHD children run around and never sit still while others daydream excessively and have difficulty concentrating. Aside from the 18 diagnostic criteria, ADHD is associated with a slew of additional health and behavioral issues, including sleeplessness, oppositional behavior, and anxiety issues. Although the holistic approach acknowledges that a neurotransmitter imbalance may play a role in the development of ADHD, it is far from the only explanation for the disorder. An individual is prone to ADHD due to a chemical imbalance. The illness is triggered when the person is exposed to particular environmental variables, and the three fundamental symptoms appear.

According to the holistic school of thought, medication is an ineffective treatment for ADHD. This is because medications merely address the symptoms of the condition and disregard the environmental causes that cause it to begin with. Rather than simply prescribing medicine, the holistic approach focuses on learning about the individual's medical history, symptoms, and environment before developing a treatment plan based on natural ADHD alternatives. Your knowledge of ADHD is entirely dependent on which school of thought you subscribe to. However, suppose you think of ADHD as a body-mind imbalance brought on by environmental triggers rather than a condition that can be cured with a pill. In that case, it's much easier to come up with a natural treatment that has a lot of benefits without the negative side effects of ADHD medication.

Types of ADHD

ADHD is a disorder that affects about 4% of children worldwide. ADHD is a group of symptoms that impact a child's behavior and are frequently related to inattention, poor impulse control, and hyperactivity. Constant fidgeting, difficulties paying attention, leaving most jobs undone, and impulsiveness are among the most typical symptoms. Because there are numerous types and severity levels of ADHD, not all children with the disorder have the same symptoms.

Most clinicians divide ADHD into three categories based on the presence of symptoms and the severity of those symptoms:

Predominant inattentive

Hyperactive-impulsive in nature

ADHD with a mixture of symptoms

Traits and behaviors in the first type of ADHD (predominant inattentive type) are more likely to be based on inattention; the world is difficult to pay attention to. In their thoughts, there is just too much going on. As a result, they forget tasks, make casual mistakes, and don't seem to understand what's being said to them. Because the symptoms appear to be the result of apathy rather than a cognitive malfunction, this type of ADHD is the most likely to go unnoticed for a long time. Distractedness and forgetfulness are normal in everyone, but it is a chronic problem for persons with inattentive ADHD. As a result, they can't pay attention even if they truly want to.

The Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive type is the second. Victims of this type do not exhibit attention deficit symptoms. They are jittery, hyperactive, restless, and impulsive instead. They frequently act without thinking and are frequently seen interrupting others and spouting replies to issues that have not even been fully posed. They have trouble staying in one location for long periods of time; they frequently chat excessively and become agitated when in line for anything. This individual is a ball of energy who never seems to run out. Finally, the mix of inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive tendencies is the third type. There are six or more symptoms of inattention and another six or more signs of hyperactivity-impulsivity in this subtype. People appear to have difficulty concentrating, staying on task and are quickly distracted and forgetful.

In addition, psychiatrist Daniel Amen is one of those medical specialists who, long ago, discovered that some symptoms are really delicate and difficult to discern. Dr. Amen developed six subtypes of ADHD (he called it ADD) based on SPECT brain scans of ADHD children, allowing doctors to pinpoint the appropriate treatment method/s better. According to her, there are six forms of ADD:

Classic ADD

ADD with inattentiveness

ADD with an overabundance of attention

ADD in the temporal lobe

Limbic system ADD

Ring of fire ADD

Those with classic ADD are disorganized, inattentive, and easily distracted. Because they are energetic, impulsive, and restless, people with class ADD are difficult to deal with.

Inattentive ADD is characterized by inattentiveness and disorganization.

If you come across persons whose attention span wobbles, who are locked in negative thoughts, who are excessively compulsive, worrying, hardheaded, oppositional, and argumentative, they are most likely suffering from over-focused ADD.

People with temporal lobe ADD have gloomy ideas, are prone to fights, and exceedingly rebellious and violent. They have difficulty learning new things and are unable to write appropriately.

People with Limbic system ADD require special attention since they are not only inattentive but also have mood problems and are constantly depressed.

Ring of fire ADD is challenging since it is a ball of energy that can erupt in all directions. They are abrasive, overly vocal, have mood swings, are inattentive, and might be excessively sensitive to their surroundings. However, they can be successful in school and in life if they are properly treated with certain drugs. Researchers are employing modern techniques like brain imaging to create and find more effective therapies and interventions, which can lead to a better understanding of ADHD.

ADHD Fallacies

To some, ADHD is just a result of poor parenting. Either that or the child is merely a usual handful, which is not surprising behavior in children. According to popular belief, children overcome their hyperactive tendencies as they grow older. In most people's eyes, a wayward child is not distinguished from the rest, no matter how odd she may be.

As a result, parental guidance and discipline provide the much-needed motivation for a hyperactive child to grow up to be the productive individual her parents desire. From a bystander's perspective, the inevitable onset of adulthood appears to be the panacea for every behaviorally difficult child. For most of us, overcoming childhood inner turmoil equates to just growing out of it, as if time has a particular way of removing people from whatever inner turbulence they may have had. However, contemporary science has demonstrated that failing to address psychological issues early on only increases the illness as the individual grows older. And if a child with ADHD is left undiagnosed, she cannot be expected to improve over time.

The extremeness of a person's distinguishing qualities, which are, in fact, typical traits exhibited by everyone, distinguishes a person with ADHD from others. ADHD usually appears in childhood and might last until adolescence or adulthood. The majority of persons with ADHD go undiagnosed until they are in their teenage years. However, for some, their failure to control their tendencies was not diagnosed until maturity, when it had already had such a significant impact on key aspects of their lives that it could no longer be ignored.

The Fallacies

Because it's so difficult to diagnose ADHD in people, it's sparked a lot of debate when compared to other mental illnesses. Despite this, there are still misconceptions about the true nature of ADHD circulating among the general public. Here are some common ADHD fallacies and the truths that everyone should know to help clear things up:

ADHD is not regarded as a true medical diagnosis: As previously said, ADHD is a recognized medical illness that requires a formal diagnosis. However, according to a study, psychiatrists worldwide acknowledge it as a medical condition caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain's neurotransmitters.

Girls are not affected by ADHD: Although boys are thought to be more prone to have ADHD since they exhibit its symptoms more frequently than girls, the truth is that both genders have nearly equal risks of developing it. On the other hand, scientific investigations have revealed that ADHD is more common in boys than in girls.

ADHD is caused by poor parenting: A child's development of ADHD has nothing to do with how parents raise their children in terms of imposing discipline and teaching good behavior. Instead, a child with ADHD lacks complete control over her impulses and is more