ADD and Teens - What parents should know
The adolescent/teenager with ADD often wants to be a good student, The impulsive behavior and difficulty paying attention in class frequently interferes and causes problems. Teachers, parents, and friends know that the adolescent is displaying "Bad behavior" or "different" but they may not be able to tell exactly what is wrong. One possibility for this behavior is called Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).
All adolescents may show inattention, distractibility, impulsivity at times, but the adolescent with ADD shows these symptoms and behaviors more frequently and severely than other adolescents/teenager of the same age. ADD is found in at least one in every 20 adolescents/teenagers, it begins before the age of seven and can continue into adulthood. ADD runs in families with about 25% of biological parents also having this disorder.
A adolescent/teenager with ADD often shows these signs
- Easily distracted
- Impatience
- Blurts out answers
- Fidgets or squirms
- Trouble paying attention
- Seems "on the go"
- Inattention to details and makes careless mistakes
- Trouble Listening
- Loses school supplies, forgets to turn in homework
- Interrupts or intrudes on others
- Impatience
- Hard to follow direction
Adolescent/teenager presenting with ADD symptoms must have a comprehensive evaluation. A adolescent/teenager with ADD may have other psychiatric disorders such as conduct disorder, anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, or manic-depressive disorder. Without proper treatment, the adolescent/teenager may fall behind in schoolwork, and friendships may suffer. The adolescent/teenager experiences more failure than success and is criticized by teachers and family who do not recognize a health problem.
Stimulant drugs, such as Ritalin, Dexedrine, and Aderall when used with medical supervision, are usually considered quite safe. Although they can be addictive to teenagers and adults if misused, these medication are not addictive in children. They seldom make children "high" or jittery. Nor do they sedate the child. Rather, the stimulants help children control their hyperactivity, inattention, and other behaviors.
A child who is diagnosed with ADD and treated appropriately can have a productive and successful life. If a child shows symptoms and behaviors like those of ADD, parents please fill out our information request form and we will guide in the right place to get the proper help. (American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry)