ADHD in Teens

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common behavior disorder in childhood. It affects between 8% and 10% of school age children and adolescents. Typically diagnosed in childhood, ADHD still affects many teens. The symptoms -- inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity - are intrusive, which means they interrupt and seriously interfere with a teen's life.

Sometimes ADHD coexists with other conditions. For example, it may coexist with learning disabilities, anxiety disorders, and substance-induced mood disorders. In addition, a teen with ADHD may also have oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder. Getting an accurate medical diagnosis and effective treatment for ADHD and coexisting problems is important. ADHD touches all aspects of a teen's life.

Drug abuse in general and stimulant abuse such as cocaine abuse in particular, even at a very young age, can cause behavioral aberrations that mimic ADD/ADHD.

What are symptoms of ADHD in teens?

Symptoms of ADHD in teens are similar to those of ADHD in children. They include:

• distractibility
• irritability
• poor concentration
• hyperactivity
• impulsivity
• insomnia

During teen years, especially as the hormonal changes of adolescence are going on, symptoms of ADHD may intensify.

How does ADHD affect a teen's life?

Because of problems with distractibility and poor concentration, many teens with ADHD have difficulty in school. Grades may fall, particularly if the teen is not receiving ADHD treatment.

It's not uncommon for teens with ADHD to forget assignments, misplace textbooks, and become easily bored with their daily class work. Teens may become inattentive, or excessively attentive -- not waiting for their turn before blurting out answers. They may interrupt the teacher and classmates, and rush through assignments. Teens with ADHD may also be fidgety and have a difficult time sitting still in class.

Often, teens with ADHD are so busy focusing on other things they forget about the task at hand. This can be seen especially with homework and athletic skills and in relationships with peers. This lack of attention to what they're doing often leads to poor performance on tests and being rejected from sports teams, extracurricular activities, and peer groups.

Does ADHD increase the risk of car accidents and problem drinking?

Driving poses special risks for teens with ADHD. In fact, teens with ADHD are two to four times more likely to have a car accident than teens without ADHD. Teens with ADHD may be impulsive, risk-taking, immature in judgment, and thrill seeking. All of these traits increase the chance of an automobile accident and serious injury. Still, studies show that teen drivers with ADHD who take the prescribed medication have a significantly reduced chance of accidents.

Teens with ADHD are more likely to be heavy drinkers than teens without ADHD. They are also more likely to have problems from drinking. In clinical studies, researchers confirmed that teens with ADHD were twice as likely to have abused alcohol within the past 6 months. They also found that teens with ADHD were likely to abuse drugs and three times more likely to abuse drugs other than marijuana.

Getting proper treatment for ADHD in teens may cut the risk of later alcohol and drug abuse.