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8.7% of adolescents and teens are diagnosed with ADHD. The actual prevalence may be higher.
Are you a parent wondering why your bright teen can't seem to get organized? Are you a teenager yourself, feeling like your brain is a browser with too many tabs open?
If so, ADHD may be on your radar.
As they’re moving into middle and high school, teens’ brains are going through a whole host of changes - which, in turn, can change the way ADHD symptoms show up. You may begin to see new challenges, or struggles with things that used to be easy. The emotional rollercoaster you were already anticipating with puberty may be even more intense than expected.
In this post, we'll get a birds-eye view of common signs and symptoms, the different ways they show up, and a quick look at treatment options you may want to dig into.
Common Symptoms of ADHD in Teens
ADHD in teens often manifests through various symptoms:
- Lack of focus and distractibility: Teens may struggle to stay on task, easily shifting from one activity to another without completion.
- Disorganization and time management issues: Keeping track of belongings and meeting deadlines can be particularly challenging.
- Hyperactivity and restlessness: While often less pronounced than in younger children, teens may fidget or feel an internal sense of restlessness.
- Impulsivity: Making decisions without considering consequences is common.
- Emotional dysregulation: Teens with ADHD may experience intense emotions and struggle with emotional control.
- Social challenges: Difficulties in reading social cues or maintaining conversations can impact relationships.
How ADHD Affects a Teen's Life
ADHD can significantly impact various aspects of a teenager's life:
- Academic performance often suffers due to inattention and disorganization.
- Social relationships may be strained by impulsivity or misreading social situations.
- Risk-taking behaviors might increase, such as experimenting with drugs or alcohol, unsafe sex, or texting while driving, potentially leading to dangerous situations.
- Personal hygiene and self-care can be neglected due to forgetfulness or poor time management.
- Teens with ADHD more likely to struggle with self-esteem
- Nearly 80% of teens with ADHD are also diagnosed with mental health conditions like anxiety or depression
Gender Differences in ADHD Symptoms
It's important to note that ADHD presents differently across genders. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), boys are diagnosed with ADHD more frequently than girls (about 12.9% for boys compared to 5.6% for girls).
For a long time, many believed ADHD was only “a boy thing,” just like it was believed that ADHD was only a childhood condition that goes away with age. This discrepancy in diagnosis rates doesn't mean that ADHD is less common in girls, though. More and more, research is showing that girls are often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed due to differences in how symptoms present across genders.
Recognizing these gender differences helps parents and educators identify less obvious signs of ADHD, especially in girls. It also encourages a more careful, in-depth evaluation process that considers the differences in the ways each ADHD symptom tends to look in girls as opposed to boys.
Symptoms more common in boys with ADHD
Boys with ADHD are more likely to experience hyperactive and impulsive symptoms. These symptoms are also often directed more externally, so they’re more likely to be noticed by teachers and parents.
- Hyperactivity (e.g., excessive running, climbing, or fidgeting)
- Impulsivity (e.g., blurting out answers, interrupting others)
- Physical aggression or defiance
- Disruptive behavior in class or social settings
- Difficulty sitting still or staying seated
- More obvious inattention (e.g., visibly distracted)
- Risk-taking behaviors
- Externalizing problems (acting out)
Symptoms more common in girls with ADHD
Girls tend to have more inattentive symptoms, and often these symptoms are expressed more internally. For example, an inattentive boy may be more fidgety, while an inattentive girl may be daydreaming instead. Because internalized symptoms aren’t as disruptive to others, they’re more likely to fly under the radar.
- Inattentiveness (e.g., daydreaming, seeming "spacey")
- Disorganization and forgetfulness
- Verbal aggression (e.g., teasing, name-calling)
- Appearance of being withdrawn or shy
- Low self-esteem and negative self-talk
- Anxiety or mood swings
- Difficulty maintaining friendships
- Internalizing problems (emotional turmoil)
- Appearing to be "trying hard" but still underperforming
- Excessive talking or chattiness
- Becoming easily overwhelmed
Treatment options for teens with ADHD
Effective ADHD management often involves a multi-faceted approach:
- Medication: Stimulants or non-stimulants may be prescribed to manage symptoms.
- Psychotherapy: Behavioral therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy can help teens understand themselves better and develop coping strategies to work through tough emotions.
- Parent education and support: Helping parents understand ADHD and develop effective parenting strategies is crucial.
- School-based interventions: Accommodations and support in the educational setting can significantly improve academic outcomes.
- ADHD coaching: An ADHD coach can provide personalized strategies to improve organization, time management, and goal-setting skills. ADHD coaching for teens focuses on building executive function skills and developing practical tools for daily life management.
ADHD and the teenage brain
ADHD in teens can present significant challenges, both at home and at school - but with understanding, support, and treatment, they can learn to manage their symptoms. Early intervention, including medication, therapy, and ADHD coaching, can make a substantial difference in a teen's life trajectory.
Every teenager with ADHD is unique. What works for one may not work for another. For parents the best way to support your teen is to work closely with healthcare providers, educators, and ADHD coaches to develop a support plan tailored to your teen's needs.
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