While some ADHD symptoms disappear by adolescence, as many as 80 percent of ADHD kids will continue to display symptoms as teens, according to Dr. David Goodman, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins University. Many mental health professionals follow a multimodal approach that utilizes several different treatment options that when combined successfully meet the individual needs of each teen.
Medications
There are a variety of stimulant medications designed to enhance focus and reduce ADHD-related impulse control and hyperactivity, according to the Kids Health website. Stimulant medications include methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), and pemoline (Cylert). Side effects can include difficulty sleeping and reduced appetite.
While stimulants remain the first-line of treatment from a medication standpoint, non-stimulant medications may work when patients cannot tolerate the side effects of stimulants. Common non-stimulant medications include those also used to treat high blood pressure and depression. Examples include atomoxetine (Strattera) bupropion (Wellbutrin), fluoxetine (Prozac), guanfacine (Tenex), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and sertraline (Zoloft). Many of these are not as effective at treating hyperactivity, and also have a variety of side effects, according to the HelpGuide website.
According to a 2004 study conducted for the National Mental Health Association, nearly nine in ten parents with an ADHD teen believe prescription medication is the most effective treatment for ADHD.
Individual Therapy
Individual therapy helps teach coping skills, while providing an educational background about the condition, according to the Kids Health website. Therapy can take many forms, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP). During cognitive behavioral sessions, teens learn to modify social behaviors, which can include problem-solving strategies for controlling their bodies and focusing their attention.
Social skills training uses reinforcement strategies that reward appropriate behavior, ultimately teaching teens to evaluate a social situation and adjust their behavior accordingly. The AACAP website points out that when coupled with cognitive therapy and medication, social skills training helps teens to smooth out awkward or difficult social behaviors that often accompany other ADHD symptoms.
Family Counseling
Family counseling and parent training programs are helpful when dealing with an ADHD teen, according to the Kids Health website. These programs provide ADHD education to all members of the family, while providing parents with often much needed parenting strategies. Parents learn negotiating skills and positive reinforcement techniques to help manage a teen's ADHD behavior.
