Countering ADHD: From Girlhood to Womanhood
Although symptoms of ADHD can manifest in girlhood and continue undiagnosed and untreated into and through a woman’s adult life, learning the Transcendental Meditation technique can effectively intervene at any time starting at age ten.
A piece published on Mar 06, 2025 on Newsweek.com stated that “ADHD affects roughly three percent of adults around the world. However, many of those with the condition remain undiagnosed, especially women…. roughly 75 percent of women with the condition are undiagnosed.”
Since girls with ADHD are more likely to internalize their behavior at school, they will be less disruptive than boys affected by ADHD and therefore the condition in girls can go unnoticed. There are other signs in girls, however, such as appearing unduly shy, getting upset easily, daydreaming, having difficulty focussing, blurting out, and being disorganized, unmotivated, forgetful, careless, or hyper-talkative. Without diagnosis and treatment, girls are likely to continue to manifest symptoms as they mature to adulthood. Fortunately, starting at ten years of age, girls can easily learn and practice the Transcendental Meditation technique and experience a significant reduction of symptoms.
NEW YORK, Aug. 23, 2013 — /PRNewswire-iReach/ — Select schools throughout the Caribbean island of Dominica have begun to employ the Transcendental Meditation® technique as a stress-management tool to help students reduce symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Teachers and parents have seen a noticeable improvement. But more important, research suggests that TM® practice may alleviate ADHD by actually changing the brain.
A test approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration measures the ratio between theta and beta waves, which are consistently shown to be correlated with severe ADHD symptoms. This diagnostic tool can determine if children have ADHD. A child with ADHD has too much theta and too little beta brainwave activity—their brain is blocking things out, and it’s hard for them to focus.
While it’s not known exactly what causes high theta/beta ratios in children with ADHD, a 2011 study found that Transcendental Meditation practice decreases these theta/beta ratios in students with ADHD. The random-assignment controlled study published in Mind & Brain and The Journal of Psychiatry (Vol. 2, No. 1) found that within three months of TM practice, the theta/beta ratios had significantly decreased; after six months of TM practice, theta/beta ratios were within the normal range. This suggests that students with ADHD who practice the Transcendental Meditation technique can experience a noteworthy reduction of symptoms within three to six months.
Stress is thought to be a major factor in learning disorders such as ADHD. Also, research gives credence to the idea that ADHD is stress-related. A study on TM and ADHD, which was published in Current Issues of Education in 2009 found a 50 percent reduction in stress.
The TM technique is effortless and involves no concentration, controlled focus, or sustained attentiveness, so girls and women with challenged attention spans are completely capable of meditating successfully.
However, reducing ADHD symptoms in a girl does not necessarily mean she won’t experience those symptoms as a woman. ADHD symptoms can fluctuate throughout her life, including during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. An individual may still experience challenges, especially if her ADHD is not fully managed or if she experiences significant hormonal changes such as low dopamine levels.
Doctor and psychologist Janina Maschke, author of the book, A Feminist Guide to ADHD, says, “It is also important to get a better understanding of how hormonal changes can impact ADHD symptoms, as this can be crucial for women, along with their physicians, psychologists, partners and friends when it comes to understanding and managing ADHD effectively throughout the different stages of life.”
Women with ADHD have reduced blood flow to the brain. The Transcendental Meditation technique combats that by increasing blood flow to the brain and creating neural connections.
TM creates a state of deep relaxation, which supports the ability to focus on the task at hand in women with ADHD. Here are examples of how the TM practice can alleviate symptoms of ADHD:
Reduced Anxiety and Stress:
ADHD is often associated with anxiety and stress, which can exacerbate symptoms. TM produces a state of deep rest that reduces these feelings, leading to a calmer state of mind and improved ability to manage ADHD symptoms.
Enhanced Executive Function:
The TM technique enhances brain function, allowing for sharp focus. It may improve executive functions like planning, organizing, and self-regulation, which are often impaired in ADHD.
Increased Brain Coherence:
The Transcendental Meditation program has been shown to increase brain coherence, meaning the brain’s different regions are working together more effectively. This can lead to improved cognitive function and emotional regulation, leading to improved mood and behavior.
Scientists attribute ADHD to a lag in the brain’s natural development. The earlier a girl can address the underlying causes of ADHD, the sooner she can start to structure a real foundation for continuing relief as she ages. In comparing the effects of ADHD medication to the TM program, Sarina Grosswald, EdD, wrote:
“Meditation is not a quick fix. But, over time, TM allows the brain to create the neural connections that correct the underlying problem. The drug is an immediate fix, but when it wears off, the problem remains—the lack of brain integration.”
Contact a certified TM Teacher near you.
About the Author
Janet Hoffman is the executive director of TM for Women Professionals, a division of TM for Women in the USA
