healthy kids
ADHD, Anxiety & Your Teen
by Joseph Cannizzaro, MD
unconscious obstacle to success may cause anxiety and depression and eventually the child may give up, miss assignments and exhibit other unwanted behavior. Parents may misinterpret their
child’s actions as rebellion, laziness or an unwillingness to live up to his potential. Or assume that he doesn’t care about schoolwork or is distracted by social media and socializing with friends since that’s where his focus goes. Parents oſten make things worse by applying pressure and insisting their child learn better coping skills. Coping skills won’t work if a teen’s brain won’t allow her to focus. Attributing these changes in the child to general anxiety disorder or depression doesn’t address the core problem, either. Te core problem is ADHD, which is causing the symptoms of anxiety and depression because she cannot keep up even though she is trying very hard. Te anger, power struggles and family friction can be avoided by first getting a proper diagnosis.
Is It Anxiety and Depression T
he teenage years are challenging for both parents and teens. It’s a
time of self-discovery and oſten confusing change. Changes in academic success tend to stand out. A teen may be wondering, What’s wrong with me? and parents may suspect behavioral issues. It can be hard to know the difference between normal teenage challenges and underlying problems such as ADHD, anxiety and depression. If you find that your teen is suddenly not doing well in school, seems unmotivated or is no longer working at her potential, you may want to take a closer look before jumping to conclusions.
16 Central Florida Why Does My Teen
Suddenly Have ADHD? Te transition from elementary to middle school can uncover a child’s undiagnosed ADD/ADHD. Simply put, children have much more to handle in middle school. Tey have more teachers, books and assignments. Tey have to learn to juggle activities and exams. In the less rigorous elementary years, a very intelligent or giſted child can progress without raising any concerns. Oſten, children who have ADD without hyperactivity do not cause disruptions and remain undiagnosed until middle school. As the workload gets harder in
middle school, a child who didn’t have to try hard suddenly realizes he doesn’t have the focus necessary to continue succeeding. Trying harder yields little improvement because it is not lack of effort, but the brain’s inability to correctly balance neurotransmitters that is actually impeding the child’s progress. Tis
or ADD/ADHD? Your teen must be evaluated by a professional. Generally, a teen with ADHD becomes anxious from being overwhelmed and worried that she isn’t able to keep up, whereas a child with anxiety suffers from “What if?” worries. For example, if a child is anxious
about taking a test to the point of vomiting, but studies for the test, takes the test in a timely manner and does well on it, it’s more likely the problem is anxiety related. Tat child would be worried over questions like, “What if I don’t do well?” A teen with ADHD may be anxious about the test and vomiting because he has not prepared enough or because he knows he won’t finish, as individuals with ADHD oſten need more testing time. You can see how seeking out mental health professionals would be most wise. Tey have the experience to ask the right questions and make distinctions between seemingly identical reactions to the same situation. Whether it is general anxiety disorder or ADHD causing anxiety and depression, you need a precise diagnosis in order to help your child address the root of their problem.
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