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Signs of ADD in Teenagers

Most often, people with attention deficit disorder (ADD) are diagnosed with the condition before they hit their teenage years. According to WebMD, nearly 10 percent of school age children and adolescents suffer from ADD. This article looks at the signs and symptoms concerning ADD and teenagers.

  1. What is ADD?

    • Prior to 1994, ADD was simply known as attention deficit disorder. In 1994, the condition was reclassified as ADHD--attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The medical condition affects a person's concentration level and how well they can sit still. Someone with ADHD has difficulty paying attention, may act on impulse and gets themselves in trouble often.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms of ADD in adolescents include: staying focused on the matter at hand, completing homework assignments, lacking patience, interrupting others, fidgeting in their seat, becoming easily distracted and suffering from insomnia.

    Affect of ADD on Teens

    • Teenagers who suffer from ADHD will often have trouble in school and earn bad grades. They also show signs of boredom in class and forget homework. The condition has an impact on many areas of a teen's daily activity, such as interaction with family and friends and their level of self-confidence. Teens with ADHD also engage in high-risk behavior, such as suffering a car accident or abusing drugs and alcohol.

    Treatment

    • Presently no cure for ADD exists. However, treatments do exist to help with ADD. Often times, treatment consists of a combination of medication, counseling or therapy and adapting learning styles. Individual plans for treatment can be tailored with the help of doctors, therapists and school staff. Medication should never be the only method of treatment.

    Parental Suggestions

    • If a teenager shows signs of ADHD, there are certain things a parent can do to help. Parents can meet with teachers to make sure their teen is learning in a way that works best, such as requesting more time to finish tests or putting them in a smaller class size. Parents can also offer positive support by assisting with scheduling and organizing and helping to find activities where their teen can flourish.

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