Is ADHD In Teens Different Than ADHD In Younger Children?
Medically reviewed by Elizabeth Erban, LMFT, IMH-E
Updated March 15, 2024by BetterHelp Editorial Team
Content warning: Please be advised, the below article might mention substance use-related topics that could be triggering to the reader. If you or someone you love is struggling with substance use, contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Support is available 24/7. Please see our Get Help Now page for more immediate resources.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD is classified by the American Psychiatric Association as a neurodevelopmental disorder, and it affects millions of individuals of all ages. Often, symptoms can begin to show as early as age four years old in children and can potentially last for the duration of a person's life. As children grow, the way ADHD presents itself can change. These symptoms can leave parents asking the question, is ADHD in teens different from ADHD in younger children? While every situation is different, the earlier symptoms of ADHD are recognized, the more effectively the disorder can be managed.
Is your child showing signs of ADHD?
Teen vs. child attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
ADHD in teens is not a completely different animal but can certainly be more difficult to handle for teens and young adults than if it is caught early. Childhood ADHD affects social skills, can cause mood swings, and may put them on an emotional rollercoaster during their teen years. If appropriate treatment begins in childhood before issues caused by dealing with symptoms get more severe, someone living with ADHD may have an easier time coping.
General symptoms
While symptoms of ADHD are well-defined from a clinical standpoint, it can be challenging to identify their cause. Many symptoms, typically in children and teens - when a diagnosis is most relevant - can closely mimic the behavior of neuro-typical individuals. Individuals with ADHD tend to primarily display signs of inattention and hyperactivity, as well as these common symptoms:
- Inattention
- Easily distracted and has poor concentration
- Forgetting to complete tasks (chores, homework)
- Disdain for doing homework
- The tendency to lose things including school assignments
- Struggle to follow directions
- Struggle to maintain peer relationships
- Trouble paying attention and remembering details
- Easily frustrated with difficult tasks
- Trouble coping in stressful situations
- Hyperactivity symptoms
- Fidget/squirm when trying to sit still/staying seated at school
- Frequently losing school supplies
- Difficulty participating quietly in tasks and controlling energy
- Talking too much/interrupting others/blurting out of turn
- Requiring more wake-up time
Looking at this list, it becomes rather clear how difficult it can be to identify if a child or young adult has ADHD or if they simply have personality traits that make that child less conformed to our general idea of a "well-behaved" child.
Very often, ADHD symptoms are perceived as misbehavior or "difficult" behavior earlier on in the child's development. By around age 7, children typically have developed the ability to control their impulses to the point that attending school is not a significant task. It is around this time when attentive and informed caregivers can notice more outlying behavior and testing for ADHD. This is vital because unmanaged, the disorder can worsen as the child gets older.
ADHD in teens
From the perspective of an individual who is dealing with symptoms of ADHD, childhood can be frustrating. At the end of the day, no child is going to be utterly void of characteristics that are observably similar to ADHD symptoms. At some point or another, most children will be rambunctious, impulsive, emotionally fickle, etc. Facing the authority of caregivers and family members and the routine of everyday life can cause a level of distress for any child – this is part of growing up.
When we start looking at ADHD in teens, we are looking at individuals who not only experience the symptoms of the disorder but have also dealt with a disadvantage from the starting line. This disadvantage could potentially have been playing out untreated. ADHD in teens can cause more issues because, at this age, they are expected to be more mature and take on more responsibility but cannot always control their impulses.
Symptoms in teens
More symptoms may present for individuals who have the disorder as children. In many teens, however, while they might express fewer symptoms of ADHD during their teenage years specifically because they have more to deal with in life, more problems can arise. Typically, a child will have far more supervision and structure, whereas teens progressively gain more independence, not to mention mounting stressors.
Teens have far greater academic expectations than younger children. Poor school performance and getting subpar grades in 5th grade are far less impactful than grades in 10th grade. Then, take into factor the degree of stress an average teenager takes on strictly from a social aspect. For people their age, fitting in often means everything.
Symptoms of ADHD in teens include:
- Poor planning/organization skills
- Poor study skills
- Poor note-taking
- Poor test taking
- Poor executive function
- Needing extra time or an alternative environment for taking tests
- Preferential seating
- Needing both written and oral instruction
- Frequent breaks during school/homework
- Daily/weekly reports to parents
- Risky behavior
- Low self-esteem/emotional control
- Poor self-control
- Hyperactivity/Impulsivity
- Comorbidity
Concerns specific to teen ADHD
Comorbidity, or having more than one disorder at a given time, is a typical result of teens who are experiencing ADHD. The effects of trying to cope with ADHD itself can cause other mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, dysthymia, ODD/OCD, and sleep disturbances, just to name a few. Some research shows that compared to adolescent females without ADHD, teenage females who have ADHD experience a 2.5 times greater risk of developing major depression.
One of the most severe concerns in this area is comorbidity with substance use. For all the reasons people develop harmful substance use patterns, living with ADHD checks all the boxes. Since ADHD symptoms often go untreated in the early years of a child’s life, issues compile, and self-medication is a very common avenue for teens to traverse. Of course, this is only a correlation, and substance use is rampant regardless of ADHD. However, it is something that becomes more likely when the presence of ADHD symptoms is in play.
Studies show that teenagers with ADHD are more likely to engage in risky behaviors like smoking cigarettes, smoking marijuana, drinking alcohol, and using hard drugs when compared to teenagers without ADHD. Substance use is one very specific iteration of what can fall under a broader category of how ADHD can affect teens. When thinking about this type of behavior, therapy with a clinical psychologist may be an option for you or your teen.
Risky behavior and impulsivity, in general, are direct symptoms of the disorder. ADHD in teens is linked to higher instances of sexual activity, which is arguably not a problem in and of itself, but certainly a concern for parents, and can lead to higher cases of STDs and teen pregnancy. Risky behavior tends to lead to lasting consequences. If a teen is more likely to engage in risky behavior, they are more likely to get hurt, get caught, or whatever the case may be.
Does my child have ADHD?
If your child is exhibiting the symptoms listed above, present from earlier than the age of 12, it is possible they have ADHD. However, try not to jump to conclusions. If you are concerned, speak to a professional about the symptoms your child has. They are the only ones who can give you a precise diagnosis.
For teenagers, the same concept applies. However, it can be even more challenging to know for sure whether your teen has ADHD because the DSM definition is geared more toward children and what might be observed at earlier ages. In any case, always consult a medical professional.
Treating ADHD symptoms in younger children
As with any ailment, disorder, or sickness, the earlier it is detected and diagnosed using diagnostic criteria, the sooner it can be treated. To treat children with ADHD most effectively, it’s vital that it’s caught early. This requires parents, teachers, and other caretakers to be aware of ADHD and how it manifests. They must pay close enough attention to know the difference between a typical child's behavior and the expression of this disorder.
Treatment is typically based on a combination of stimulant drugs and therapy. Depending on the child, the parents, and the doctor, how these modalities are combined and applied can and should be individualized to treat the patient in the least invasive manner possible. Medication for ADHD can be strong and have adverse side effects, and different disciplines may rely more or less heavily on the pharmaceutical aspect. Making sure you have a certified, knowledgeable therapist specialized in ADHD is imperative. You should also work with your child’s school as they may be eligible for some accommodations under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
There may be a lot of information about alternative treatment options for ADHD. Some of these, like yoga or meditation, may help children stay calm during stressful times, but little or no research has been conducted on many of these alternative therapies and whether they actually reduce symptoms. A good example is supplements and vitamins. Taken in the wrong dosages, they may be potentially harmful, and these products are not under the oversight of the FDA. Talk to your child’s doctor if you have questions about these techniques.
Is your child showing signs of ADHD?
ADHD treatment for teens: Medication, therapy, and social skills
Treating teens with ADHD is not too different from treating younger children. Once your teen has been diagnosed with ADHD, their doctor can use prescribed drugs such as Adderall XR and other medications, psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, and a number of other methods to manage the disorder. This can give your teen a chance to maximize their quality of life living with ADHD.
For a parent or child’s teachers, knowing a teen has this disorder allows the teen's support system to incorporate beneficial teaching methods and parenting styles. For instance, the strength-based approach to problem behaviors and situations and focusing on what is correct rather than fixing what is wrong can be very effective, as can rewarding good behavior. Parenting skills training can also help, and parents must ensure that teens who are taking medication for ADHD have consistency when taking it.
The goal should be to set the teen up with the greatest opportunity for success possible and to help the child plan for how to reach their goals. Clear communication and open dialogue can create a relationship dynamic where the teen feels comfortable asking questions or for help in problematic situations. Since risky behavior is a concern, the ideal scenario would be that boundaries and expectations are clearly defined so that your teen can engage in behaviors that are socially supported and productive, such as involvement in extracurricular activities. Social skills training or support groups may also help. Your teen might be dealing with a lot, but you can help create a positive environment for them and provide stress management techniques and other new skills to improve ADHD symptoms that may be helpful throughout your teen’s life.
If you’re looking for more information about ADHD, check out the National Resource Center by the Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD).
Online therapy with BetterHelp
For those needing professional support as they cope with the symptoms of ADHD, online therapy can be a viable resource. This is true whether you are struggling with ADHD yourself or have someone in your life with the disorder. You can connect with a mental health professional through BetterHelp, an online counseling platform. With a pool of thousands of licensed therapists, you’re bound to find one that meets your needs. Whether that’s someone who specializes in ADHD or other mental disorders, you can begin talking with someone who has worked with others like you.
The efficacy of online therapy
Online therapy can be a helpful option for those wanting to improve their mental health. In one study, researchers found that online interventions were “more effective than waiting list [sic] in improving attention deficit and social function of adults and children with ADHD.” Even if you are experiencing a mental or neurodevelopmental condition, online therapy might be able to help.
Takeaway
Teenagers with ADHD may face unique challenges. On top of all the changes they’re going through as growing young people, teens with ADHD must also cope with the myriad of symptoms that can come along with the disorder. Parents can be supportive by finding proper support for their teens, while teens can help themselves by leaning on their loved ones and following the right treatment plan. With the right support and parent education, managing the symptoms of ADHD and living a productive life is possible.
Frequently asked questions
Read more below for answers to questions commonly asked about this topic.
What is the best treatment for adolescent ADHD?
The best treatment for adolescent ADHD typically involves a combination of behavioral therapy, parent training, educational support, and medication when necessary. Psychosocial treatment and a healthy lifestyle are also key for managing symptoms and improving focus and executive functioning as the child grows into adulthood.
What medication is used for ADHD in high school students?
The most commonly used medicine for ADHD in high school students includes stimulant medications like Adderall and Ritalin, which are available under various brand names. Non-stimulant medicines like Strattera and Intuniv can also be used. Consulting a healthcare professional is essential for choosing the right ADHD medicine for individual needs.
How can I control ADHD without medication?
Controlling ADHD without taking medicine can involve a combination of behavioral therapy, parent training, psychosocial treatment, educational support, and lifestyle modifications such as a balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep. These strategies can help improve focus, executive functioning, and social relationships.
What is the most successful treatment for ADHD?
A multimodal approach involving ADHD medicines, behavioral therapy, psychosocial treatment, parent training, and lifestyle modifications is considered the most successful treatment for ADHD. This approach addresses both the symptoms and the underlying challenges, supporting individuals into adulthood.
How can I help my high school student with ADHD?
Supporting a high school student with ADHD involves working closely with the school, encouraging a structured routine, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and considering psychosocial treatment. Parent training can also be beneficial, as it helps in understanding and managing the needs of teens with ADHD.
What diet helps ADHD?
A balanced and nutritious diet can help manage ADHD symptoms. Including plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and omega-3 fatty acids can be beneficial. Additionally, monitoring for any food sensitivities or allergies and addressing them can aid in symptom management.
What is an alternative to Adderall for ADHD?
Alternatives to Adderall for ADHD include other stimulant medicines like Ritalin and non-stimulant medications such as Strattera and Intuniv. Behavioral therapy and lifestyle changes are also effective alternatives. It’s important to discuss with a healthcare professional to find the most suitable option.
What is the safest ADHD treatment?
The safest ADHD treatment depends on individual needs and may include a combination of medicine, behavioral therapy, and lifestyle modifications. Monitoring for any side effects, substance abuse, and regular follow-up with a healthcare provider contribute to ensuring the safety of the treatment.
What are mood stabilizers for ADHD?
Mood stabilizers such as lithium or anticonvulsant medicines may sometimes be used to address mood fluctuations and coexisting conditions in individuals with ADHD. It is important to work with a healthcare professional to assess the appropriateness of such medications.
What is the closest thing to Adderall over the counter?
There is no over-the-counter medication equivalent to Adderall, as ADHD medications are controlled substances and require a prescription. However, some people might use caffeine or other over-the-counter supplements to improve focus, but these are not substitutes for prescription ADHD medicines.
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