Treatment for ADHD and ADD in Teens and Adolescents
ADD, which is 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.
ADHD is the most commonly occurring brain disorder in teens and children and can persist into young adulthood as well as full adulthood. ADD is not as easily recognized, because adolescents and children with ADD refrain from acting out as much as teens with ADHD.
What Do Add and ADHD Look Like in Teens?
Teens with ADD or ADHD can struggle to recall homework and test deadlines, often misplace or lose their belongings, be often and easily distracted, and 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 symptoms in teens:
- Restlessness
- Disorganization
- Careless mistakes
- Poor concentration
- Poor school performance
- Difficulty following instructions
- Forgetfulness
- Impulsivity
- Problems with social skills
- Daydreaming and constant zoning out
These signs and symptoms can affect an adolescent’s relationships, mood, mental health, self-esteem, and academic performance.
These symptoms can affect a teen’s academic performance, self-esteem, relationships, and mental health. If you think your teen may have ADD, you should consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment. There are many options available to help teens with ADD manage their symptoms and succeed in life.
ADD 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 ADD or is just struggling due to particular personality ticks.
What Causes ADD in Teens?
There is no definitive cause for ADHD or ADD. Research has brought to light a few risk factors that can potentially shed light on why or how ADD develops, but the root cause is 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. The chances are very high that someone suffering from ADD inherited it, despite other factors that may be present.
A few scientists propose that the differences in the release and processing of certain brain chemicals cause ADD. These neurotransmitters serve as the communication highway between the brain and the rest of the body. These scientists suggest that dopamine and norepinephrine are the specific neurotransmitters that cause ADD to develop in teens.
Modern imaging technology shows that areas of the prefrontal cortex in teens with ADD occasionally misfire, especially compared to other brains. The prefrontal cortex contains many complex subsections, including the centers that control much of our cognitive abilities, such as thoughtfulness and impulse control.
ADD is sometimes caused by neurological dysfunction. A side effect of this dysfunction is reduced focus capabilities, particularly under pressure. Due to this, teens with ADD often perform better while stimulated and relaxed.
How Can Teens Dealing With Moderate ADD & ADHD Be Helped?
Trying to help and support a teen suffering from ADD can be difficult for you as a parent. Broaching this topic can be challenging, but here are some tips that can 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 and thrive and grow will be very beneficial to them. Support subjects that they find genuinely interesting and teach them how to cope and manage with life’s stresses.
Praise Their Accomplishments
Teens have a sixth sense when it comes to aggravating even the most patient and loving of parents. Keep in mind that they do well at times, 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 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 their self-esteem, a sense of self-worth, and becoming their own person. Teenagers spend an inordinate amount of time trying to discover themselves, learning how to fit in with others, and how to fit in the environments surrounding them.
Being seen as cool is everything to an adolescent. But if a teen cannot communicate well, their chances of fitting into their desired social groups plummet. Teach your teen how to control themselves and how to appropriately respond and react during conversations.
What Are Some of the Therapies Used To Treat Add Symptoms in Teens?
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 in teens.
ADD is normally a neurological disorder and medication is the best way to treat it. However, medication cannot teach your teen how to cope with living with ADD 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 normal 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). The sections of the brain that control attention and focus are activated by these stimulants.
Stress will negatively affect your child’s academic performance, chores at home, and social relationships. Helping your teen find healthy ways to reduce their stress is important for helping them better manage and cope with stressful situations, which will see them improve academically and professionally, and maybe, if they’re in the mood, perform their home tasks properly.
You could encourage your teen to try yoga, meditation, sports, music, arts, or other stress management techniques and activities.
How Does Ridge RTC Offer Treatment for ADD and ADHD in Adolescents?
Ridge acknowledges that the teenage years can be very trying both for the teen and their family. The proper support system is necessary for these teens to properly develop both physically and mentally.
Our specialized treatment modality for ADD and ADHD comprises a short-term residential treatment center for teens that offers clinical help, assessment, stabilization, and more. Our professional team will perform a psychological test as well as a comprehensive evaluation for your child, which will enable us to create a bespoke treatment plan catered to their needs.
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 treatment process can help your teen. You can 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.