ADHD Teenager

Whether you are an ADHD teenager, or live with one, it is important to understand how this disorder affects the life and education of an individual.

What is ADHD?

Certainly the term, ADHD and ADD before it, receives ample attention in the media, doctor and school system. Unfortunately all this “information” hasn’t always translated into more knowledge about this disorder and how it affects kids and families.

ADHD is a psychological term known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The term ADHD is severely overused, often in disgraceful ways to describe anybody who is hyper or disorganized. Although it may feel like every kid on the street is an ADHD teenager or child, in reality, the American Psychiatric Association says true cases of ADHD only occur in 3 to 5% of the population.

ADHD has become a catchall phrase for all kids whom are having trouble in a typical school environment. It is often “diagnosed” by non-professionals to help describe classic children behavior. Sadly, all of this attention actually only undermines the true disorder and treatment.

Three Main Groups

The actual Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is comprised of three main groups of behavior problems.

• Inattention: Appearing to not listen even when spoken to directly.
• Hyperactivity: The reluctance to participate in activities, which require sustained mental efforts.
• Impulsivity: Often distracted by environmental stimulus.

Diagnosis is often complicated. As these standard symptoms must not only happen relatively consistently, they must also be present for at least six months. Additionally, not all ADHD teenagers exhibit all three groups or show symptoms the same way. Some kids with ADHD don’t appear hyperactive at all, although this is often a common media characteristic.

Inconsistency in behavior is also very common in ADHD, and often sets it apart from similar disorders such as depression or bipolar. One day an ADHD teenager will perform eloquently, staying on task and doing great at school, the next day the same teen will shift completely to be disorderly and uncooperative.

The ADHD Teenager

Even if a teen is diagnosed with ADHD later in their teenage years, symptoms almost always have appeared before the age of seven. Often it is the intensity of the teen years that brings a diagnosis to the surface.

Whether this is the first diagnose of ADHD or if it has been a part of your life since grade school, this disorder can morph into new problems and issues during the troublesome adolescence.

Typical expressions of ADHD found in the average teen:

• The symptoms of ADHD and situations around the problem often lead a teen to feel angry and misunderstood. This frustration will cause the stereotypical anger that teens feel towards the “world”, but multiplied by the ADHD.
• Being an ADHD teenager in a society that is constantly critical will quickly degrade ones self-esteem. The constant negativity a teen internalizes will show up as a poor sense of worth and lack of confidence.

These symptoms are also common with other disorders, as well as temporary hormonal conditions found in teens. It is important if you or your child has not been formally diagnosed with ADHD that any severe changes in negative behavior be explored with a licensed professional.

Peers

Another significant change in the teen years is the importance of the peer group. Relationships with friends and others in the school environment become substantial in a teens' life and affect their sense of self. A pressure to conform to the group is particularly challenging when you already feel different.

Ways to Deal with ADHD

Teenagers are at an interesting time in their lives. They are growing into self-sufficient adults, learning to function on their own. When a teenager has ADHD, he or she will need to learn skills to help them both understand and cope with the disorder – now and when on their own.

Key abilities to focus on for the ADHD teenager are:

• Organizational Proficiency

Learning to improve your organization will help battle the struggle common with ADHD of staying on task. Common tips include: list making, breaking projects into smaller manageable parts, setting time limits, and creating reasonable expectations.

• Structure

Utilize a calendar or daily planner. Write down a daily schedule and stick to it. There is real comfort in structure as it helps take the pressure off staying focused.

• Controlling Emotions

Impulsivity can quickly lead to over emotional speech and expressions. Practice learning to speak with respect and maintaining control. Strategies like role-playing confrontations before hand or a mental counting to ten when dealing with a difficult situation can help.

• Stress Reduction

The teen years are a time of serious pressure to succeed. This additional stress is hard on anyone, but particularly an ADHD teenager. Learning relaxation strategies will ensure a better transition into the responsibilities of the adult world. Try meditation or exercise. Work on averting disruptive behavior by avoiding triggers.

• Find your Success

It is especially important for ADHD teenagers to find a hobby or activity they enjoy and are accomplished at. It doesn’t matter what it is, but find it and work hard. This sort of accomplished endeavor will be a pleasant distraction and build self-esteem through positive rewards at the same time.

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