ADHD in teens

ADHD in teens defined

ADHD in teens may take a different form than childhood ADHD. ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, causes impulsivity, hyperactivity, lack of attention and a variety of other symptoms within children, teens, and even adults. ADHD in teens tends to show less hyperactivity and more distracted, impulsive behavior. This behavior, caused by ADHD in teens, means that academic performance suffers.

ADHD in teens can be hard to diagnose. Symptoms of ADHD must have appeared before the age of seven in order for ADHD in teens to be diagnosed as ADHD, according to the DSM IV. For many teens, it can be hard to remember behavior from early childhood, which makes this diagnosis difficult.

ADHD in teens may cause emotional outbursts which creates a strain on relationships with peers and parents. These outbursts may be made worse for ADHD in teens by hormonal changes.

Solstice East and ADHD in teens

Solstice East, a residential treatment center for teen girls ages 14-18, provides treatment and care for ADHD in teens, depression, anxiety, and a variety of other struggles. Solstice East takes a holistic approach to therapy. Instead of treating an issue like ADHD in teens as a “problem area”, Solstice East treats the individual as a whole.

Solstice East utilizes a combination of individual, family, group, equine, and milieu therapies to ensure that teens with ADHD and other struggles get the help they need.

Research

A Brazilian study of 1,013 teens with ages ranging from 12 to 14 years, found that ADHD in teens coincided with a higher risk of school repetitions, suspensions, and expulsions. In this study, no association was made between teens with ADHD and substance abuse.

A 2007 study found that ADHD in teens, specifically teen girls were 3.6 times more likely to meet the criteria for an eating disorder than teen girls without ADHD. This means that teen girls with ADHD have a higher chance of forming an eating disorder than other teens.

Contemporary article

An article in PsychCentral discusses a study which found that ADHD in teens causes problems in driving. Teen drivers with ADHD are more likely to speed and veer out of the lane than teens without ADHD. Texting worsens the situation when teens with ADHD text while driving.