Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - ADHD in Teens - Centered Health
By Dr. Theo Miller
ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a medical condition that affects the way a child or teen can focus, sit still, and pay attention. It’s entirely normal for people to space out during a boring test, jump into a conversation midway through, or leave their homework at home once in a while. However, people who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have much more trouble staying focused and controlling behaviors that will affect their emotions and their ability to do well in school and maintain interpersonal relationships. ADHD in teens is often a disablity that interferes with an adolescent’s ability to learn and study.
While symptoms of ADHD often begin in childhood, it may not be diagnosed until the teens or adult years. Sometimes, the symptopms of ADHD decrease in severity as a persona ages. Hyperactivity particularly tends to dissipate as a person ages, while problems with organization remain. Over half of the childred diagnosed with ADHD continue to have symptoms as adolescents and teens.
There is no cure for ADHD, so doctors who treat ADHD in teens help by effectively managing the symptoms in an individualized appraoach. Most doctors follow a multimodal approach, using several different methods at the same time to help a teen reach his or her full potential. Common treatment approaches include medication, family therapy, individual counceling, and making changes in school that are more appropriate for the teen’s learning style.
ADHD is a very common disorder affecting many adolescents in the United States. ABout one to three children in a classroom of 30 students has ADHD, with boys being three to six times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls. It has been shown that ADHD affects between 5% and 7.5% of school aged students. According to the CDC, in 2011 about 11% of children between the ages of 4 and 17 (or 6.4 million) have been diagnosed with ADHD.
CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS FOR ADHD IN TEENS
As a brain disorder, researchers believe that ADHD is not the result of a single factor, but rather the interplay of genetics, brain chemistry, and environmental factors. It’s worth noting that current research does not support the claim that ADHD is caused by eating too much sugar or watching too much television.
The most common cause of ADHD in teens includes:
Genetic: Research shows that ADHD likely has a familial component, which means that if a close relative has ADHD, the chances are higher that a person will develop the disorder. However, not all people who have ADHD have a close relative with the disorder.
Physical: ADHD is caused by the deficiencies of certain neurotransmitters in the brain that are responsible for the brain’s ability to focus and pay attention. Low levels of dopamin, in particular, are noted in teens who have ADHD.
Environmental: There are several environmental factors noted in the development of ADHD. Exposure to toxins such as lead, maternal drug or tobacco use during pregnancy, and maternal exposure to environmental toxins during pregnancy all can play a role in the development of ADHD.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ADHD IN TEENS
As ADHD is a broad disorder that affects many aspects of a person’s life, it can showcase symptoms in different ways in different teens. As ADHD occurs more frequently in boys than girls, the behaviors and symptoms may be markedly dissimilar. Boys, for example, may display more hyperactive symptoms, while girls may tend to be quietly inattentive. Some of the most common signs and symptoms of ADHD in teens and adolescents include:
Loses or forgets homework and other important things
Interrupts and intrudes on other people
Difficulty waiting when taking turns
Fidgetw with hands or feet
Squirms while sitting
Challenges engaging in activities quietly
Problems with academic achievements
Risk-taking, thrill-seeking behaviors
Easily distracted, even when doing something enjoyable
Trouble staying focused or paying attention on a task
Trouble following and focusing on instructions
Challenges organizing tasks and activities
Problems paying close attention
Prro Judgement
EFFECTS OF ADHD IN TEENS
Untreated, the effects of ADHD in teenagers can range from mildly irritating to life-threatening. While ADHD cannot be cured, proper treatment of ADHD in teenagers can be quite effective and help to effectively control the symptoms. Common effects of untreated ADHD include:
Negative judgement by peers and other adults
Increase car accidents than others who do not have ADHD – teens with ADHD are two to four times more likely to have a car accident
Many teenagers andadolescents who have ADHD are also struggling with co-occurring mental health disorders, which can complicate diagnosis and treatment of ADHD. The most common co-occurring disorders include:
Learning disabilities – which include problems with comprehension and communication
Anxiety disorders – which worsen the symptoms of ADHD