Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Teens

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Medical Author:

Roxanne Dryden-Edwards, MD

Roxanne Dryden-Edwards, MD

Dr. Roxanne Dryden-Edwards is an adult, child, and adolescent psychiatrist. She is a former Chair of the Committee on Developmental Disabilities for the American Psychiatric Association, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, and Medical Director of the National Center for Children and Families in Bethesda, Maryland.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Teens Overview
• ADHD in Teens Definition and Types
• ADHD in Teens Statistics, Causes, and Risk Factors
• ADHD in Teens Symptoms and Signs
• ADHD Symptoms in Teen Boys and Girls
• ADHD in Teens Diagnosis and Treatment
• ADHD in Teens Self-Care at Home (Dietary Modification)
• ADHD in Teens Medical Treatment
• ADHD in Teens Medications
• ADHD in Teens: Other Therapies
• ADHD in Teens: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• ADHD in Teens: Behavioral Therapy
• ADHD in Teens Complications, Prevention, and Prognosis
• Support Groups and Counseling
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Author and Editor

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a behavior disorder that is characterized by hyperactivity or restlessness, impulsivity and/or distractibility that interfere with the person's life in some way.
• ADHD is quite common, affecting millions of teens.
• While there is no single cause of ADHD, there are many factors that increase the risk of developing this disorder.
• Symptoms of ADHD in teens tend to be somewhat different compared to the disorder in children or in adults.
• There can be some differences between teenage boys and girls in their symptoms of ADHD.
• If a medical or mental health professional suspects that a teen has ADHD, he or she will likely undergo an extensive medical interview and physical examination.
• Treatment of ADHD usually involves some combination of organizational and/or educational changes, psychotherapy, and/or medication.
• As anything that is ingested carries risk of side effects, it is important for the ADHD teen and his or her family to work closely with the prescribing doctor to decide whether treatment with medications is an appropriate intervention and if so, which and how much medication should be administered.
• There are many possible complications associated with ADHD, particularly if it remains untreated.
• ADHD usually requires treatment for it to be adequately managed.
• There are many support groups for persons who suffer from ADHD.

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