ADD, More Girls than Boys?

“ADD Affects More Boys than Girls” ?     It is generally accepted that there is a much greater incidence of ADD in boys than in Girls.  The DSM-IV states that the ratio of males to females ranges from four to one to nine to one .  We contend this is an incorrect notion and may reflect a misunderstanding of the disorder.     We agree that males have a higher incidence of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and oppositional and aggressive behavior, but when it comes to attentional problems, the ration may favor girls.  They sit quietly gazing out the window while the teacher lectures.  A girl like this is labeled disinterested, stupid, or indifferent.  She may never be given a diagnosis of ADD; she may never even come to the attention of a health-care professional  Yet everyone labels the “wild child” on the other side of the classroom ADD.     Incidentally “he”-the hyperactive boy-gets all the attention while “she” is often ignored.  The quiet, hypoactive child gets little, if any, attention, while the hyperactive, impulsive ones get everyone’s.  We need to rethink this notion of ratios.  We need to look more closely, and with fresh eyes, at the dull, bored, sleepy, disinterested child.  That glazed-over look in her eyes may be as telling as the non-stop hyperactivity of another child.”  From Getting Rid of Ritalin.  By Robert Hill, Ph.D. and Eduardo Castro, M.D.     The Brain Map (qEEG) is the most sure way to identify ADD in females.  They respond well to neurofeedback.  Drs. Kelsey