ADHD in Adolescents: How a Diagnosis Can Help
It is often thought that a diagnosis of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may not be necessary (“we can just manage the symptoms”) or that such a diagnosis might be met with negativity or discrimination due to misconceptions or misunderstandings around ADHD. Fortunately, awareness and understanding in the wider community is increasing and many of the myths around ADHD are being dispelled.
Read on if you are wondering how your teenager could benefit from being assessed for ADHD and potentially receiving a diagnosis.
What is ADHD?
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, which means that the brain has developed differently in the areas that affects a person’s attention, the ability to sit still, and self-control. A person with ADHD may have symptoms in any or all of the following areas:
Inattentiveness
Hyperactivity
Impulsivity
Causes of ADHD
Research has shown that genetics play a role in ADHD. Other factors which may contribute to some cases of ADHD include low birth weight, prenatal maternal smoking, and other prenatal complications. It is important to note that parenting styles do not cause ADHD. However, certain patterns of parenting and family interactions can either exacerbate or help reduce the impact of the symptoms of ADHD.
Co-occurring conditions in adolescence
Up to 60% of teenagers with ADHD have also been found to have a co-occurring disorder. In some instances, these co-occurring disorders have been around since childhood, but for some teens these develop in teenage years due to the additional stress experienced in adolescence. Social pressures and criticisms and/or internal frustrations may also make our teenagers more vulnerable to these difficulties.
Co-occurring conditions may include:
Oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder
Mood disorders, such as depression and dysthymia
Anxiety disorders
Substance use and abuse
Learning and communication problems
Sleep disturbances
ADHD symptoms in THE teenage years
Teens with ADHD experience executive functioning challenges and may require more support and monitoring from parents than teens without ADHD.
Due to ADHD being a neurodevelopmental disorder, it is not something that will “start” later in life, it’s there from the beginning. However, we may not always be aware of the symptoms or we may simply attribute them to something else. In teenage years, the additional stress that comes with being a teenager, increased academic demands at school, and fluctuating hormones can all contribute to exacerbating the symptoms of ADHD.
How could a diagnosis benefit my teenager?
Getting a diagnosis can help your teenager understand themselves better – “Aha! That’s why I do this/think that” – and may improve their self-acceptance and lead to them seeing any struggles through a more compassionate lens. A diagnosis can be very validating for a teenager and lessen any shame, guilt or self-blame. It reduces the impact of their struggles on their mental health and can prevent them from becoming anxious or depressed.
A diagnosis can also helps teens explain to others what they struggle with and why, and to articulate the support they need from friends/family/school to help them thrive. It can also help them not feel so alone and to connect with a wider community of people with similar profiles of strengths and challenges.
What are treatment options for ADHD?
The most common treatment options for ADHD include medication and/or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). For medication options it is best to speak to your GP to explain the types, dosages and effects. CBT is a psychological therapy that targets the interplay between someone’s thoughts, feelings and behaviours, and aims to modify unhelpful thoughts/behaviours and replace them with more helpful ones. In the case of ADHD symptoms, CBT aims to help the teen reframe any negative thinking patterns and create more helpful behavioural patterns so that they can better navigate their challenges and reach their goals. Parents and teachers may also be equipped with strategies to best support the teen.
What is involved in ADHD Assessment?
An ADHD assessment involves a semi-structured interview with the teenager and their parent, followed by standardised, evidence-based questionnaires completed by the teenager, their parent(s) and a teacher. It is important to gather evidence and information about the teenager’s executive and adaptive functioning over the course of their life and across various settings, including school, home and socially.
The interviews and questionnaires aim to assess the following:
Does the teenager have symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity or impulsivity?
To what extent do these symptoms impact their day-to-day functioning?
Were these symptoms present since early childhood?
Do the symptoms occur in different areas (e.g., school and home)?
Are the symptoms possibly due to other reasons?
A psychologist or other trained professional analyses and interprets the information gathered and provides a thorough detailed report, which is usually accompanied with helpful recommendations.
WHAT NEXt?
At Full Life Psychology we now offer ADHD assessments as well as therapy for teenagers. Contact Full Life Psychology at (07) 5354 6112 or admin@fulllifepsychology.com.au for more details or to discuss the best options for you and your teenager.
