If you suspect that your teen may have ADD (ADHD)
Kathleen G. Nadeau Ph.D.
All teenagers tend to be impulsive, disorganized or immature
at times - that's part of adolescence. But when your teen
seems more forgetful, more disorganized, more impulsive, more
prone to procrastinate, less mature, and less able to manage
than his or her peers - these may be signs of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity
Disorder (ADHD or ADD).
Not all children with ADD (ADHD) are hyperactive. Some are
inattentive and show no signs of hyperactivity.
ADD (ADHD) in High IQ Teens
Bright children with inattentive type ADD (ADHD) may do
well in school until increasing demands overwhelm their ability
to cope and keep up. Many bright teens with ADD (ADHD) may
simply be seen as underachievers. Others become anxious and
try to overcompensate for their ADD (ADHD) tendencies by staying
up late into the night or even all night, desperately trying
to cram for an exam or to complete a paper they've put off
until the last minute.
Changes in ADD (ADHD) during Adolescence
ADD (ADHD) looks different in the teen years. Children who
were hyperactive often become less so. Impulsivity may still
be present, but to a lesser degree. In fact, many of the traits
of ADD (ADHD) in teens are simply exaggerated traits shared
by many teenagers.
Differences in Girls with ADD (ADHD)
Girls with ADD (ADHD) are often moody, especially during
their PMS week. Emotional overreactions, hypersensitivity
to stress, argumentativeness, disorganization, and a general
difficulty keeping up with the demands of daily life that
their peers seem to manage better - all of these can be signs
of ADD (ADHD).
What to do if you suspect that your teenage son or daughter
has ADD (ADHD)
If you see these patterns in your son or daughter, a professional
evaluation may be in order. ADD (ADHD) is a highly treatable
disorder and learning life management skills as a teen with
ADD (ADHD) is best done while they still enjoy the structure
and support of the home environment.
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