Deal with ADHD As a Teenager

Do you have ADHD and don't really know how to control it? Does your ADHD directly affect your work ethic and performance? This article will help you cope with your ADHD, and hopefully help you realize the benefits of ADHD.

Steps

 * 1)  Understand what ADHD means. The term ADHD is an acronym for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.  [[Image:Deal with ADHD As a Teenager Step 1.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 2) *ADHD is a neurobehavioral disorder, meaning that the disorder is caused because of the brain.
 * 3) *AD/HD and ADD are common slang words for ADHD, but the correct term is ADHD.
 * 4) *ADHD is generally categorized by frequent patterns of struggles to pay attention and / or hyperactivity/impulsivity that is more apparent than in teens without the disorder.
 * 5) *ADHD is in fact a real disorder. It occurs when the brain sends an imbalance of messages through your nervous system. This imbalance is what causes the symptoms of ADHD.
 * 6) *A child that has been diagnosed with ADD, is often thought of, or labeled as, “learning disabled” when in fact they are generally of above average intelligence, and highly creative.
 * 7) Talk with your parents and your doctor about taking medication. One of the easiest ways to help with this disorder is through medication. The pros of medication is that it is very quick, easy, and not much time or effort is put in to help your disorder. Many people do not like the idea of medication because they think it makes them abnormal, but it certainly does not. Think of the medication as something that helps you reach your full potential. The bad sides of medication is that the side effects can be quite dreadful. Appetite loss is the number one side effect, sleep problems and mood swings being the second and third. There are many other side effects as well, such as depression and anxiety.  [[Image:Deal with ADHD As a Teenager Step 2.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 8) *Numerous ADHD medications are powerful stimulants, such as amphetamine. Adderall is a form of amphetamine, for example, and can be extremely harmful and addictive. Only take medication if you are incapable of functioning without it.
 * 9)  Remember that medication is not a miracle-cure. If your ADHD is severe enough to require medication, you are going to have to work harder than average to meet normal standards, and medication will not change this. Treatment for ADHD is medication in conjugation with hard work and changing your inefficient habits.  [[Image:Deal with ADHD As a Teenager Step 3.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 10) Change your diet. Sometimes that is all it takes. One controversial way to help your ADHD is through diet. Dairy has been shown to contribute to hyperactivity in children and teens. Try to avoid them and just stick to almond milk. Simple carbohydrates (such as fructose, glucose, etc.) also contribute to hyperactivity. Eat an abundance of whole grain, fruit, and vegetables. The pros of this decision is that, for some people, this works really well. The cons of this decision is that many people don't believe that a diet would change the symptoms of ADHD and that it doesn't work as well as medication.  [[Image:Deal with ADHD As a Teenager Step 4.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 11)  Enroll in music / dance class. This is proven to work because it helps the teen pay attention to specific instructions, setting them up for other things they need to pay attention to. The pros of this is that it works for many teens, plus, it gives them an emotional outlet through dance and music. The cons of this is that it doesn't help you focus on things you find extremely boring.  [[Image:Deal with ADHD As a Teenager Step 5.jpg|center|550px]]