ADD and Troubled Teens

By Marcelina Hardy

Attention Deficient Disorder (ADD) and troubled teens is increasing in popularity. Over the years, more teenagers are diagnosed with ADD because research has shown the signs that we have missed. Many teens with ADD end up exhibiting deviant behavior because of the symptoms they experience from their behavior disorder.

Symptoms of ADD and Troubled Teens

Children and teenagers with ADD experience difficulties at home and in school. They deal with symptoms of this inattention disorder everyday which makes it hard for them to live a normal life. Symptoms associated with this inattention issue include being unable to focus for long periods of time, remembering information and organizing thoughts. When a child experiences these issues, they have difficulty staying on task and find following instructions challenging and uninteresting.
This inattention causes problems in school because teenagers are unable to follow through with schoolwork resulting in poor grades. They receive pressure from their teachers and parents who do not understand why they are falling behind. Since the teen is not receiving acceptance from the teacher or parent, he or she turns to peer groups who may cause the teen to engage in deviant behavior.

Impulsivity is another common problem with this disorder. Teenagers with ADD do not think before acting. Because of this, they may not make wise decisions and do whatever comes to mind. They may say things to others that are insensitive because they speak before they think about how it will affect others.

Peer groups will encourage the teen to take part in criminal and deviant behavior. Since the teenager is already experiencing impulsivity the teenager will follow through with the peers' demands without thinking it through. This leads to continued troubled teen behavior.

Treating the ADD symptoms in troubled teens is the first step in getting teens out of trouble.

Counseling and medication are available that will be able to treat the symptoms. Ask your healthcare professional about the possibility of the link between ADD and troubled teen behavior for your teen.

Marcelina Hardy is a freelance writer who specializes in relationships, adolescence, and mental illness. Visit http://WriterMLH.googlepages.com for information.