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Going through teenage years can be difficult enough, but going through it while having to deal with ADHD can be even more of a challenge for both parents and their teens. When left untreated, ADHD in teenagers can lead to many issues. Teens with some forms of ADHD are more likely to get involved in traffic accidents and violations (especially related to speeding and reckless driving) than teens without ADHD. Many teens with ADHD also face a lot of problems at school and in relating with their peers. Because of this, many ADHD teens have depression, are involved in criminal activities, run away from home, or engage in other dangerous activities.
There are several kinds of ADHD in teenagers. They are subdivided into five general types:
- Inattentive ADHD - Teens with inattentive ADHD are easily distracted. They're inattentve, slow-movng, they seem like they're always daydreaming or unmotivated. It seems that their brain is a bit "foggy" and they're always forgetting where they leave things. They're always late and always seem to be bored at what they do. In this kind of ADHD, the prefrontal cortex part of the brain slows down instead of speeds up when they are being put to work (like doing homework or focusing on a task).
- Classic Hyperactive ADHD - Teens with this kind of ADHD are characterized with impulsivity, hyperactivity, restlessness, inattention, and disorganization. They can't seem to focus on a task because they're bouncing around too much. They can't sit still of listen quietly. They act without thinking and often get into trouble because they have trouble waiting in line or waiting for their turn. In classic hyperactive ADHD, the prefrontal cortex part of the brain registers under-activity whether it is at rest or while performing tasks that require concentration.
- Over-Focused ADHD - Teens with this kind of ADHD are capable of finishing tasks when they concentrate. The problem is that they have problems shifting their attention from one task to another. Teens with over-focused ADHD can be obsessive. It's quite difficult to parent teens like this because once they get an idea in their heads, it's like they're stuck in a loop and will keep on pestering their parents until they get worn out and just give in. Teens like this worry a lot, can be argumentative, always pushes to have their way, and can be very particular about how they want things to be done.
- Anxious, Worried, Hypervigilant ADHD - Teens with this kind of ADHD can get startled easily, is often worried about something, can get excessively nervous, obsessive, and inflexible. Teens like this can get hypervigiland and can get stuck in a loop of negative thoughts. It's important not to eat or drink anything with too much stimulants because this could make the symptoms a lot worse.
- Depressive ADHD - Teens with this kind of ADHD are often inattentive, constantly battle with depression or chronic sadness, always has a negative attitude, low energy levels, are apathetic, and often feel that they are hopeless and helpless. In this kind of ADHD, there's an increased activity in the limbic system and a decreased activity n the lower portion of the pre-frontal cortex. When the brain is given a workload (such as thinking, listening, etc.), nothing in the pre-frontal cortex changes.
When dealing with ADHD in teenagers, it's always best to seek the help of mental health professionals in order to get medication that could help manage the symptoms. Medication is just one part of the puzzle piece. It's also important to provide a home and school environment that will be helpful in managing their condition as well.
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