ADD/ADHD Treatment for Teenagers
ADHD impacts the lives of roughly 13% of teens nationwide. A staggering 3.3 million adolescents aged 12-17 are navigating the challenges of living with an ADHD diagnosis. If you or someone dear to you is facing the ups and downs of ADD or ADHD, the Ridge RTC is here to extend a comforting hand. Learn more about teen ADHD, residential treatment options, and what to expect when you stay with us!
Table of Contents
- ABOUT ADD & ADHD
- ADD and ADHD Symptoms in Teens and Young Adults
- What Causes ADD in Teens?
- How Can Teens Dealing With Moderate ADD & ADHD Be Helped?
- Don’t Pressure Them
- Praise Their Accomplishments
- Help Them Develop Good Conversational Skills
- Types of ADD and ADHD Treatment for Adolescents
- Teen Residential Treatment in Milton, NH, and Maine | Ridge RTC
ABOUT ADD & ADHD
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), a subset of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), is a mental disorder distinguished by inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and more. This disorder is occasionally manifested as a learning disability.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
ADHD is the most commonly occurring brain disorder in teens and children and can persist into young adulthood as well as full adulthood. Teen ADHD is not as easily recognized because adolescents and children with ADHD refrain from acting out as much as teens with ADHD.
ADD AND ADHD SYMPTOMS IN TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS
Teens with ADD or ADHD can struggle to recall homework and test deadlines, often misplace or lose their belongings, and be frequently and easily distracted. Their academic performance can take a serious beating. In some cases, school refusal in teens becomes an issue that is incredibly hard to deal with as a parent.
Below are some common indicators of ADD/ADHD symptoms in teens and young adults:
- Restlessness
- Disorganization
- Careless mistakes
- Poor concentration
- Poor school performance
- Difficulty following instructions
- Forgetfulness
- Impulsivity
- Problems with social skills
- Daydreaming and constant zoning out
These symptoms can affect a teen’s academic performance, self-esteem, relationships, and mental health. If you think your teen may have ADD or ADHD, you should consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment. There are many options available to help teens manage their ADHD symptoms and succeed in life.
ADHD displays itself differently for everyone it affects. Contact a medical professional for a proper diagnosis if you recognize many of these symptoms in your teen. A diagnosis can help determine if your child is suffering from ADHD or is just struggling due to particular personality ticks.
What Causes ADD in Teens?
There is no definitive cause for ADHD or ADD in teens, though research has brought to light a few risk factors (family history, genetics, etc.) that can potentially shed light on why or how ADD/ADHD develops. The root cause, however, is still different for every person. Common risk factors include:
As with most mental health disorders, ADD is at a higher risk of developing in someone who has several family members in past generations who exhibited the symptoms or were diagnosed with the disorder.
Scientists propose that variances in the release and processing of certain brain chemicals, namely dopamine and norepinephrine, play a significant role in the development of ADD/ADHD. These neurotransmitters act as vital messengers between the brain and the body. Reduced levels of dopamine and norepinephrine are believed to be critical factors influencing ADD/ADHD in teens and adolescents.
Modern imaging technology sheds light on the brain differences linked to ADD/ADHD. Initially, research found that kids and teens with ADHD tend to have smaller overall brain volumes. Further research showed that these differences are mainly seen in certain areas like the basal ganglia, while changes in the total brain or gray matter volume were also noted.
In addition to these broader findings, experts also found that the brains of youth with ADHD had more activity between several subcortical regions and the frontal cortex than those without it. Additionally, there was an increased connection between the frontal cortex and the amygdala, a brain region involved in emotional processing.
How Can Teens Dealing With Moderate ADD & ADHD Be Helped?
Trying to help and support a teen who has an ADD diagnosis can be difficult for you as a parent. Broaching this topic can be challenging, but here are some tips to help you make some headway.
Don’t Pressure Them
Adolescents with ADD often struggle with performance under pressure. Creating an understanding, supportive, relaxing, and properly stimulated environment for them to work, thrive, and grow will benefit them. Support teens in learning about subjects they find genuinely interesting and teach them how to cope with and manage life’s stresses.
Praise Their Accomplishments
Teens have a sixth sense when it comes to aggravating even the most patient and loving of parents. Remember that they do well sometimes and can surprise you with their thoughtfulness. Be sure to praise their accomplishments. This will also create a deeper bond between you and your child.
Discipline and structure are important for your child’s development, but showing your child that you are pleased with them will positively reinforce them, and they will never forget it.
Help Them Develop Good Conversational Skills
A teen’s life is all about developing self-esteem and a sense of self-worth and becoming their own person. Teenagers spend an inordinate amount of time trying to discover themselves and learning how to fit in with others and their environments.
Being seen as cool is everything to an adolescent. However, if teens cannot communicate well, their chances of finding belonging in their desired social groups plummet.
TYPES OF ADD/ADHD TREATMENT FOR ADOLESCENTS?
ADD, more often than not, co-occurs with other disorders such as anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. Depression rehab for teens commonly treats other mental health issues such as ADD and ADHD. Proper testing is imperative for an accurate diagnosis. After a diagnosis determines the presence of ADD, treatment takes form through a combination of therapy and medication.
The following are the preferred treatments for ADD/ADHD treatment for adolescents and teenagers.
ADD is usually a neurological disorder, and medication is the best way to treat it. However, medication cannot teach your teen how to cope with living with ADHD and its symptoms. Psychotherapy works to help your teen learn how to make it through life without being hindered or hampered by ADD and its symptoms.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT for teens) and other behavioral therapies provide a platform to help your teen live a healthy and everyday life and succeed both academically and professionally.
Stimulants are what are usually prescribed for treating ADD and ADHD. Such stimulants can include methylphenidate and amphetamines (not methamphetamines). These stimulants activate the sections of the brain that control attention and focus.
Stress will negatively affect your child’s academic performance, chores at home, and social relationships. Helping your teen find healthy ways to reduce stress is important for helping them better manage and cope with stressful situations, which will see them improve academically and professionally and perform their home tasks properly.
You could encourage your teen to try yoga, meditation, sports, music, arts, or other stress management techniques and activities.
ADD/ADHD TREATMENT PROGRAMS AT RIDGE RTC TEEN RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT IN MILTON, NH, AND ME, AGES 12-18
Ridge RTC acknowledges that the teenage years can be very trying both for the teen and their family. The right support system is necessary for these teens to develop physically and mentally properly.
Specialized treatment modalities comprise our short-term ADD and ADHD residential treatment program for teens and young adults that offers clinical help, assessment, stabilization, and more.
Building a positive and encouraging environment allows our residents to relax and absorb information better. Our staff excels at stimulating our tenants in various exciting ways to ensure that their stay is enjoyable, entertaining, and educational.
Contact us today to learn more about how our ADD/ADHD treatment for teens and adolescents, including our admissions process. You may also voice any concerns, make inquiries, and schedule an appointment for you and your teen to visit our facilities and see if we are the perfect fit for you. Your child is your legacy; let us guide their future.
Megan, now the Medical Director at Ridge RTC, is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a rich history in medical and mental health services. Her journey includes six years as an Emergency Department Registered Nurse at Frisbie Memorial Hospital and a transformative tenure at Shortridge Academy. Starting as a student mentor at Shortridge in 2012, she climbed the ranks to become Residential Manager, a role that had her creating student trips and managing the residential environment. Before embarking on her medical career, Megan championed the cause of those with severe mental illness as a Case Manager at a community agency.
Ridge RTC is part of the Altior Healthcare family of mental health treatment providers.