These days, most people know about—or think they know about—ADHD. Some believe it’s a fad diagnosis—an excuse for hyperactive children seeking attention and acting out. Some worry that there is a stigma attached to an ADD or ADHD diagnosis and try to prevent their children from being “saddled” with it by avoiding evaluation. Some adults wonder if perhaps they have ADD or ADHD, and they don’t realize that it’s never too late to be evaluated.
The good news is that rather than coming with a stigma, a diagnosis of ADHD can actually be quite liberating. Being diagnosed with ADHD is the first step in receiving treatment for it, which can significantly improve attention span and quality of life. Having an official diagnosis can also lead to accommodations like extra time for taking tests. And it’s never too late to seek an evaluation.
Although it seems that many people associate ADD and ADHD with fidgety young children, teens are just as likely to have one of these disorders, and the symptoms and effects may be different than what you’d expect—and they can affect a variety of experiences in a teen’s life.
Below is an excerpt from a Web MD article on how ADHD can affect a teen’s life. In addition to the ideas shared below, ADHD can affect a teen’s driving safety, choices with alcohol and drugs, and more.
If you recognize your teen (or yourself) when considering ADHD, we recommend that you contact a mental health professional for a formal evaluation. In the greater Cleveland area, we hope you’ll consider contacting us. Beyond the Cleveland area, we recommend that you contact your primary care physician, insurance provider or the counselor at your child’s school for a referral.
Because of problems with distractibility and poor concentration, many teens with ADHD have problems in school. Grades may fall, especially if the teen is not getting ADHD treatment.
It’s not uncommon for teens with ADHD to forget assignments, lose textbooks, and become 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 their teacher and classmates, and they may rush through assignments. Teens with ADHD may also be fidgety and find it tough to sit 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 bad grades on tests and being passed over for sports teams, after-school activities, and peer groups.
See the full Web MD article by clicking here.