Being a teenager with ADHD can be socially and academically difficult. In this article, we will take a closer look at this crucial phase in the life of young adults and offer the parents of these sometimes difficult-to-manage children a much needed lifeline.
As you may know, ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and is a chronic condition that is most often diagnosed before age 10 and fairly regularly before age 7. The symptoms can be mild to severe. The three main symptoms are inattention, impulsiveness and hyperactivity. Although it is not a primary symptom, about 4 in 10 adolescents experience aggression.
A teen with ADHD with severe symptoms will face challenges in all situations. at school, while playing; and at home. They are much more likely to conflict with the law or flee their homeland.
If the condition is not recognized and remains untreated, there are often a variety of problems that result. This list includes poor academic performance, low self-esteem, depression, social withdrawal, loss of motivation and a feeling of hopelessness.
Most adolescents are impulsive, as recent brain scan studies have shown that the area of the brain that controls impulsive behavior is activated before the area that is responsible for reason. But adolescent ADHD can take impulsive behavior to a whole new level; One that is not only distracting, but sometimes dangerous.
Sometimes they are unable to control their impulsive tendencies. For example, answering a question in class before asking a question, pausing a classmate to try to answer, or pausing a conversation to which he was not invited.
These teenagers can take reckless driving to a whole new level. Statistics show that an ADHD adolescent is 400 times more likely to be involved in a traffic accident or get a parking ticket than his colleagues without ADHD.
Science has not yet shown exactly why hyperactive adolescents have problems recognizing and understanding social clues, or whether they interpret these clues correctly but do not respond as expected. Most adolescents without attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can change the disruptive behavior well enough to fit seamlessly into group activities without interruption. On the other hand, people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder may not be able to make the necessary adjustments that their peers can outlaw. The obvious conclusion is that adolescents with ADHD have difficulties in social situations, may not be suitable for team sports, and often have few friends.
And then what? For parents who are out of breath and trying to deal with ADHD in adolescents, finding an effective treatment option is an important first step on the way to successful symptom management. The most common forms of treatment are prescription stimulants like Ritalin, Adderall and non-stimulant drugs like Strattera. While all prescription ADHD medications are effective for many, they carry a number of serious warnings.
The risk of side effects or possibly unsuccessful success (30% of cases) has prompted many to consider non-prescription options. Some examples of this are behavior modification therapy and / or natural remedies. Natural remedies for ADHD are a side-effect-free method for treating problematic symptoms such as inattention, distractibility, impulsiveness, unpredictable behavior and hyperactivity and can be used both as a stand-alone treatment and as a supplement to other non-prescription alternatives. They have also been shown to bring long-term benefits in about half the time.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Checklist
ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is the fastest growing behavioral disorder in Australia in more than 10% of children and 3 to 5% of the general population. Read on to learn more about this disorder and its effects.
ADHD is a common condition that makes it difficult for a child to focus on one thing. These children can speak continuously for a long time, be easily distracted, act without thinking, etc. Almost all children have these properties at some point, but in children with ADHD these properties last for a long time and can impair the child's development.
What Causes Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?
ADHD is a neurological behavioral disorder that affects a child's thinking and thinking skills. Scientists and researchers have investigated the possible causes that lead to this disorder in children. The most common cause is genetic or hereditary, which means that the disorder sometimes occurs in families. Other possible causes are:
- Brain damage - Infectious diseases during pregnancy - Environmental pollutants (lead, pollutants) - Malnutrition during pregnancy - Alcohol and tobacco consumption during pregnancy - Premature birth - Low birth weight
Although no specific factor can be held responsible for ADHD, the causes mentioned above make up 90-95% of all cases. ADHD is more common in boys than in girls, although there is currently no scientific explanation for it.
Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Children with ADHD show hyperactivity, lack of reason, impulsiveness and emotional instability.
Inattention
- Does no tasks - Doesn't listen - Can't follow instructions - Slightly distracted - Difficult to observe
Impulsiveness
- Acts without thinking - Excessive transition from one activity to another - Inability to organize tasks - Requires constant supervision - Speaks loudly in class - Do not wait alternately in games or other activities
Hyperactivity
- keeps running - can't sit and is excited - has trouble staying in the seat - excessive activity while sleeping
Emotional instability
- Outbursts of anger - No making friends / feeling lonely - Still blaming others for the problems - Quick battles with others - Very sensitive - Can't take criticism positively
Types of ADHD
There are three types of attention deficit disorder, depending on how your child behaves or what symptoms are most severe.
Mostly inattentive type
These children find it difficult to do a task, pay attention to details, and are unable to follow instructions. They are easily distracted and cannot concentrate on a particular task for long.
Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type
These children find it difficult to sit for a long time and run most of the time. They show a lot of discomfort and talk a lot. Such people act impulsively like taking things from other people, not taking turns in a game, or disturbing and interrupting other people.
Combined type
As the name suggests, these children show both impulsive behavior and a lack of attention. They are a combination of the above types and show symptoms of both categories.
Treating ADHD
There is no cure for ADHD, but proper treatment and care can help these children and individuals live productive lives. A good treatment plan is holistic, that is, a combination of medication, therapy and advice.
Drugs
Medications play an important role in the treatment of neurological behavior disorders. They can help children focus, improve their learning skills and keep them calm. Two types of medication are mainly used to treat ADHD:
Stimulants - They are the best known and most used form of treatment for children with attention deficit disorder.
Non-stimulants - These were approved in 2003 because they appear to have fewer side effects than stimulants.
Behavior therapy
ADHD affects not only a child's ability to pay attention or focus on at school, but also its relationship with the family and social performance. Behavioral therapy is a powerful treatment technique that enables children to adapt better to their social environment.
Advice for parents
As strange as it sounds, counseling helps parents manage this condition effectively. ADHD is a complex problem that presents many challenges, especially for parents. Adequate advice will help you understand and develop effective relationships with your child.
Reviewed By Dr Andrew Charlton Has 62 publications, the author of 3 patents for inventions, 2 teaching aids on medical and pharmaceutical education of Australian universities for use in the educational process in medical universities.
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