ADHD and Depression in Teens

Teens with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, have difficulty staying focused, managing impulsive behavior and are highly active. They are likely to become stressed with their inability to adapt to society. This often leads to teens developing depression. Seek professional help if your teen shows symptoms of both mental health conditions. This is a serious problem with a developing teenager.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of ADHD and depression in teens appears as irritability rather than depression. Teens with ADHD also experience a loss of interest in activities, have a lack of concentration on school work, are unorganized and lose or forget items and relevant documents, have trouble keeping still, talk excessively and tend to interrupt speakers. When symptoms persist, a teenager is likely to become depressed. Depression involves a variety of symptoms, such as substantial weight gain or weight loss, lethargy, restlessness, fatigue, worthlessness, inappropriate guilt, suicidal thoughts and insomnia or hypersomnia -- sleeping a lot -- are some of the signs experienced almost every day.

Treatments

• Effectively treating ADHD and depression in teenagers involves a combination of medications, therapy options and dieting. Taking medication for ADHD and depression may or may not work in treating all the symptoms of these mental health conditions. Medication is a temporary solution in providing relief, so a combination of other treatments may help. Behavioral therapy helps manage symptoms. Teens should seek an ADHD and depression expert to provide relief of symptoms. Treatment options include talk therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, behavioral coaching, behavior therapy and social skills therapy. Eating healthy and exercising are smart choices in dealing with ADHD and depression. Exercising has a positive effect, and medications, such as Ritalin and Adderall, help in improving concentration, decreasing hyperactivity and impulses.

Risk Factor

• Teens suffering from ADHD and depression have no consideration of their well-being. Their solution of coping with the problem often ends in them using drugs or alcohol. This puts others at risk, resulting in death or imprisonment. Seek immediate help from a professional if a teen shows signs of suicidal tendencies. Some signs include teens giving away their prize possessions, talking about death, making amends to everyone and saying "goodbye" or risking their life. It is necessary to seek professional help to treat the condition.

Complications

• According to MayoClinic.com, children with ADHD are at risk of developing other conditions that a child without ADHD would not. These conditions include oppositional defiant disorder, or ODD, conduct or anxiety disorder, depression, learning disabilities and tourette syndrome.

Ways to Cope With the Condition

• Useful ways of managing ADHD include turning off your phone and computer. Homework that requires a teen to use a computer should go ahead and use it to complete assignments, but make sure to get rid of distractions by logging out of instant messaging and email. Teens need to learn about ADHD, so they can teach others about their condition. This helps friends or family sympathize with the condition. To help organize their lives, teens can use an organizer to write down things they want to accomplish. This could include homework, books, appointments and household chores. Managing ADHD helps prevent the occurrence of depression.