Teens and ADHD

FamilyParenting

  • Author Keith Allen
  • Published June 11, 2006
  • Word count 369

ADHD teens refer to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in teens. It is more common in boys than in girls. ADHD teens are present among three to five percent of growing teens. This is a brain disorder, which makes it difficult for teenagers to be attentive and remain calm. Instead, they are hyperactive and it is next to impossible to make them sit at a place.

ADHD teens could exhibit three main symptoms-inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It is not essential to have all three of them. Hence, ADHD is according to the particular symptom your teen exhibits. Inattentiveness could lead to your teen finding difficulty in paying attention. They become forgetful and misplace or lose things. If your teen exhibits hyperactivity, it could lead to being restless about everything, fidgeting with things, and mind is overtly busy with thoughts one after another. Rather, there are no coordination and effective results of baseless thoughts.

ADHD teens indicating impulsivity is being in a hurry to accomplish everything before others. However, in the haste, your teen does not perform to the best of abilities and therefore, the work is shabby. Your teen does not think of the consequences of words uttered or actions undertaken.

Sometimes ADHD teens could be a combination of two types of disorders like hyperactivity and impulsivity, or inattentiveness, and hyperactivity too. This disorder leads to various repulsions like loss of temper, overreaction to facts, and trouble in relationships, or rather even maintenance of friendships or normal relationships amongst family members.

There is no sure cause for occurrence of ADHD teens. Research indicates probable causes as malfunctioning of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters function below their capacity levels and hence such teens demonstrate hyperactivity or inattentiveness and other similar disorders.

A qualified medical practitioner can correctly diagnose symptoms of ADHD teens. Computer tests like Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA) are often in use to detect this disorder. This disorder leads to many other disorders like failure at school, depression, and defiance. The most common treatment is through effective counseling and intake of special stimulants like Dexedrine, Ritalin, Concerta, and others. Some of these have side effects and hence, your teen can take them under medical supervision only.

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