When you look at articles about childhood ADD, the vast majority of those articles are about boys. Not surprising, since most of the children with ADD are boys.

A new study sheds light of what it is like for girls to have ADD.

Girls with Self-Harming Behaviors and ADD

Hi Connie,

Real fascinating and disturbing research findings that seem to have a lot of "face validity." Did the research suggest why the girls diagnosed with ADD had such a disproportionately high incidence of self-injurious behaviors, particularly suicide ideation and attempts?

Good question, Les. Unlike boys, who tend to externalize their disappointments with their academics and social lives, girls internalize those feelings. They don't share them. Then, when they are feeling hopeless and depressed, many of them harm themselves.

This is an amazing piece of research that produced some terrifying figures. If you know any girls with ADD, you will want to read this.

Please pass the word along about this research. I am going to do some more study on the subject. Look for another article in the future.

Have you read about this research in other places? Has anybody heard about it on NPR? With research that has such wide-ranging implications, I am surprised that it isn't featured everywhere.

Why do girls with ADD feel desperate and harm themselves?

A new study sheds light of what it is like for girls to have ADD.

Girls with Self-Harming Behaviors and ADD

Do you know a girl with ADD who has self-harming behaviors? This article can provide more information.

Girls with Self-Harming Behaviors and ADD

Boys with ADD tend to attract attention from people who can help them. Their behavior impacts others, since it can be a bit flamboyant.

Girls with ADD tend to be ignored unless they are being told that they are wasting their potential or that they can do better. They get far more negative messages, and since they are often quiet, folks don't see their desperation.

I also believe that when girls with ADD get older, they try to quit coming to school, since school is a painful place for them.