What You Need to Know
• Kate Jarvis, a former straight-A student, struggled with undiagnosed ADHD throughout her school years.
• Jarvis was diagnosed with ADHD in her late 30s, which she described as a revolutionary moment.
• Research indicates that ADHD often presents differently in girls, leading to underdiagnosis and misunderstanding.
Kate Jarvis, a former straight-A student, experienced significant academic struggles due to undiagnosed attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) during her school years in the 1980s. Initially, she excelled in school, but as she entered puberty, her focus waned, and her grades declined, leading to feelings of low self-esteem. Jarvis was diagnosed with ADHD in her late 30s, a revelation that helped her understand her lifelong challenges. Experts, including Julia Schechter, a clinical psychologist and co-director of the Duke Center for Girls and Women with ADHD, emphasize that ADHD often manifests differently in girls, who may appear distracted or disorganized rather than hyperactive, resulting in many cases going unrecognized.
Why It Matters
Understanding ADHD is crucial, particularly as awareness grows about its different presentations in genders. Historically, ADHD was viewed primarily as a childhood disorder affecting boys, leading to a lack of research on how it affects girls. This oversight has contributed to many women, like Jarvis, receiving late diagnoses, which can complicate their educational and personal development. Recognizing the unique symptoms in girls can improve diagnosis rates and support for those affected.
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