Girls are less likely to get diagnosed with learning disabilities and attention deficit disorder–often until college or adulthood they suffer in silence. A new study out this week finds that girls with attention deficit disorder, ADD, many of whom often turn to using street drugs–DO NOT turn to street drugs as often when they get treatment for their ADD. The researchers found that the impact of ADD on the risk of substance abuse in the 114 girls they studied who had enrolled at the ages of 6 to 18 were significantly less likely to start using street drugs. The full article appears in the October Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.

As seen on The Huffington Post:

You don’t have to be Jamie Lynn Spears or Bristol Palin to understand that today’s teen girls are conflicted about their responsibilities and overwhelmed with tough decisions. Between raging hormones and a not-so-healthy dose of media and peer pressure, there’s still school work, the Homecoming Dance, soccer practice, family commitments, drooling over the hottie in algebra class, planning for college and getting used to their brains on PMS. It’s a wonder any woman makes it into her 20s as a functional member of society.

I remember my own highs and lows quite vividly. The cute surfer guys hanging out at the lunch tables at Oceanside High School, who never seemed to notice us girls, and the daily battle with an embarrassing pimple, jealousy of prettier or smarter girls, a bad hair day or cramps, not to mention the heartbreak the year my boyfriend’s parents sent him away to New Zealand. Dealing with the daily intrusions of what seemed like an unbearably strict father and a well-meaning but perfectionistic mother didn’t help my self-esteem much either.

These personal memories coupled with what I see daily at the Women’s and Teen Girl’s Mood & Hormone Clinic at UC San Francisco, which I founded in 1994, have compelled me to help young women understand and manage their emotions. Since my book, “The Female Brain,” was published, I have received so many questions on my web site from teen girls who have read the chapter called “The Teen Girl Brain” and are confused about everything from their periods to their changing relationships with their mothers and fathers to the truth about sex. This week I’m proud to announce my new site, TeenBrainPower.com, a place for girls to learn about what’s really happening to their brains, emotions and bodies during this confusing time. (more…)

Today we’ll hear from a dietician who is concerned about her personal weight gain and a 17-year-old experiencing intense PMS. Also we’ll discuss Dr. Brizendine’s comments in a recent issue of “O” magazine about a critical time in childhood development to address self-esteem in young girls.

To listen click the play button on the blue Blog Talk Radio box on the right >>.

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When I read this excellent New York Times magazine story on “Adventures in Equal Parenting,” I recalled the days when my then-boyfriend and I were in medical school and we were adamant that 50-50 tag-team parenting was going to be our strategy. Interestingly, however, when my son was born we were in for a big shock, as he unequivocally preferred the adult with the breasts—me!  So much for 50-50 in those early months.  (more…)

We got a letter to the site last week from a woman in her 50s who was irritated by the sudden appearance of unwanted belly fat (listen to my response here), and I couldn’t share her sentiments more myself! I was telling a friend the other day that for most of my life, I’ve been gaining or shedding the same 15 pounds over and over and over and over.   (more…)