ADHD and Teens

A hidden problem of a significant number of teenagers is ADHD. This condition, known to occur in about 5-7% of the population makes it difficult to pay attention and concentrate. Equally, in the teenage years it plays havoc with planning ability. Teens with ADHD will have trouble listening in the classroom, planning and organising their assignments and will be late with most deadlines. Unfortunately teachers often view these issues as signs of laziness or poor motivation and tend to stop offering help to the students who need it the most.

ADHD is not a benign condition. Often diagnosed in childhood, but not always, it lasts a lifetime. The symptom profile changes over time, with the initial symptom (in boys) of hyperactivity diminishing during the teen years. Remaining behind after the high levels of activity go away is the exceptionally poor attention and concentration skills and, in some boys, impulse control problems. These teens are caught in a cycle of difficulty, negative labels, failure, rejection and protective withdrawal from achievement striving.

There are a significant number of adolescents with ADHD who have slipped through the net because they didn’t present as children with high energy levels, behaviour difficulties and excitable emotions. This group of teens is typically more girls than boys and the absence of any positive symptoms causes them to go unnoticed until they enter secondary school. Catching the hidden cause of their difficulties can be problematic because so often these teenagers become reluctant learners who avoid school as often as they can.

There is a lot we can do to help these teenagers with ADHD. Certain medications may be necessary in some cases. In most instances short bursts of counselling that is directive and goal-focused can be enormously helpful. The main point is to notice that these teens don’t want to be the way they are; they are simply trapped in a cycle of cognitive and behavioural difficulties caused by the way their brain functions.

If you suspect your teenager has ADHD contact your GP immediately. You can also find useful information at: www.hadd.ie