Treat ADHD in Teens

The teen years can be frustrating for any child and parent, let alone if there is ADHD involved. ADHD in the teen years is very difficult to deal with but with patience and consistency a successful happy adult can emerge.

Getting a diagnosis

 * 1) Get a thorough diagnosis. ADHD can't be diagnosed in one consultation, there should be medical tests to rule out other possible medical conditions.  There should be interviews with parents, reviews of school reports and observation of the teen themselves.  If they were diagnosed in one day, seek a second opinion.  If the teen was diagnosed as a child, have the diagnosis reevaluated as there are often changes in the teen years.[[Image:Treat ADHD in Teens Step 1.jpg|center]]

Hitting the teen years

 * 1) When an ADHD child reaches the early teen years (around 12 or so) ADHD tends to change its presentation somewhat. In some kids it will begin to slowly improve and will continue to improve throughout the teen years. In some kids it will get far worse, particularly girls. Some symptoms may improve while others may get worse. Often secondary problems such as coordination difficulties, bed wetting, learning and social problems improve but new secondary problems may appear such as oppositional defiant behavior, conduct disorder, anxiety or depression.[[Image:Treat ADHD in Teens Step 2.jpg|center]]
 * 2) In the teen years ADHD gets much worse in girls, often mild or undiagnosed ADHD will become a serious problem. This is because ADHD is worsened by the hormonal changes girls go through. Their behavior and difficulties will cycle, and they will experience their worst problems just prior to menstruation.[[Image:Treat ADHD in Teens Step 3.jpg|center]]
 * 3) Life changes will also complicate ADHD for teens. Middle school and high school will require more homework, longer classes, serious study sessions and more organization which can end in disaster. Friends will also expect more from the ADHD teen and their inability to pay attention will cause them social problems. Teens may also have things complicated by wanting to get a part time job.[[Image:Treat ADHD in Teens Step 4.jpg|center]]

Helping your teen cope

 * 1) Consider medication or review existing medication in the teen years. If it wasn't necessary before, it may be necessary now with the life changes the teen experiences. Medications may need to have doses changed or even medications changed as their condition will change. Review medication once every 12 months.[[Image:Treat ADHD in Teens Step 5.jpg|center]]
 * 2) *ADHD kids may become defiant about taking medication. Help them to see the positive benefits in their own language. Let them see how medications will mean higher grades, less detention, being able to socialize better with friends. If they refuse, try tying it to a privilege. Make sure the taking of medication is closely supervised; teens are notorious for pretending to take it but not really doing it, or even worse selling it in the playground.
 * 3) Control diet when you can. As teens get older, you have less control over what they eat. Preservatives, additives, flavors, colors and flavor enhancers all make ADHD much worse. Help your teen to avoid fast foods and junk foods. Supervise a proper breakfast before they leave home, drop them at school so they don't go to the shops first. Pack lunches and avoid them buying and supervise what they eat when you can.[[Image:Treat ADHD in Teens Step 6.jpg|center]]
 * 4) Ensure they get plenty of exercise. Exercise improves ADHD brain function significantly. Encourage them to do extra curricular activities such as gymnastics, cheerleading, martial arts, dancing or ice skating at least 3 times a week. If they don't want to, help them find an activity that they love, if its hard you have to be imaginative maybe rock climbing or surfing. Tie participation to sports to privileges.[[Image:Treat ADHD in Teens Step 7.jpg|center]]
 * 5) Have a very strong routine in your house. Your teen will tell you that their friends are allowed to do what they want when they want but this won't work for an ADHD teen. Have set times for getting up, family dinner and bed and a significant routine around it. Make sure curfew is well before bedtime. They may resent having a bedtime and so on but make sure they are fulfilling household expectations before being allowed privileges such as TV, video games, phones, time out of the house and so on.[[Image:Treat ADHD in Teens Step 8.jpg|center]]
 * 6) Have clear consequences for doing the wrong thing and use them consistently.[[Image:Treat ADHD in Teens Step 9.jpg|center]]
 * 7) *Expect the teen to take responsibility for the condition and learn to manage it, not use it as an excuse. Discuss the condition with the teen and ensure he/she understands it. This way they will be able to update you if there are changes or concerns they have. eg. if meds no longer work, etc. Involve them in any decision relating to their condition so they can also make inputs, for example, new information or interventions. They are old enough to understand and actively participate. Share the resources you read from so they can also equip themselves with as much information - preparing them for the long term.

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