Signs of ADHD in Teens

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSigns of InattentionSigns of Hyperactivity and ImpulsivityChildhood vs. Teenage ADHD SymptomsDiagnostic Criteria for ADHD in TeensSubtypes of ADHDComplications

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Signs of Inattention

Signs of Hyperactivity and Impulsivity

Childhood vs. Teenage ADHD Symptoms

Diagnostic Criteria for ADHD in Teens

Subtypes of ADHD

Complications

Close

If you’ve noticed that your teenage child has difficultypaying attention, sitting still, or completing chores or schoolwork, you may wonder whether they’re just being a typical teenager or whether it’s something more serious, such asattention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

ADHD is a medical condition that affects the brain’s functioning and development. As a result, people who have ADHD may find it hard to focus, sit still, wait, listen well, or exercise self-control. Approximately 2.5% of adults and 8.4% of children have ADHD.

Thesigns of ADHDare classified into two categories:

This article explores the signs of ADHD in teens, as well as the diagnostic criteria for the threetypes of ADHD.

These are some of thesymptomsof inattention you may notice in your teenage child:

Signs of ADHD in Teens

These are some of thesymptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivitya teenager with ADHD may display:

Why Is My Child So Hyper? ADHD vs. High Energy

ADHD is a developmental disorder, which means children have it from a very young age. If you suspect your teenage child has ADHD, you may look back and realize that they’ve had many of these symptoms since they were achild.

However, the symptoms of ADHD may change over time as the child gets older. For instance, the symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity are often more prominent in young children, but they may become less severe as the child grows up. So, for instance, your teenage child may no longer be constantly running around and climbing things, but may still experience extreme restlessness.

On the other hand, the symptoms of inattention become more evident in teenagers, as they face more rigorous schoolwork. These symptoms can affect their academic performance,relationships, and ability to function on a day-to-day basis.

You may also notice that your child is engaging in risky, impulsive behaviors such as unsafe sexual activity and substance abuse.

For some teenagers, the symptoms of ADHD become less severe with time. However, for many, theypersistinto adulthood.

If you suspect your teenage child has ADHD, you should take them to see their pediatrician, family doctor, or a mental healthcare provider such as a therapist or psychiatrist.

The healthcare provider will talk to you and your child about their behavior, thoughts, and health. They may ask you permission to talk to people who interact with the child frequently, such as family members or teachers, or give you checklists to be filled out. They may ask you about the child’s medical history and administer tests that check your child’s cognitive abilities.

In addition, the healthcare provider may perform a health checkup to rule outother health conditions.

These are the diagnostic criteria listed for ADHD in the DSM-5:

20 Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Girls

Depending on your child’s symptoms, they may be diagnosed with one of the three types of ADHD:

If you’ve noticed that your teenager’s symptoms have changed over time, the type of ADHD they have may have changed over time too.

Teenagers with ADHD sometimes also have other mental health conditions such as:

Your child’s healthcare provider may be able to treat these conditions, if any, along with their ADHD.

A Word From Verywell

ADHD can affect your child’s schoolwork, as well as their interactions with family and friends. Being aware of the signs of ADHD in teens can help you recognize whether your teenage child might have ADHD, so you can take steps to get them the treatment they need. Treatment can help reduce the symptoms and improve their quality of life.

What Are the Benefits of Having ADHD?

5 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychiatric Association.What is ADHD?Brahmbhatt K, Hilty DM, Hah M, Han J, Angkustsiri K, Schweitzer J.Diagnosis and treatment of adhd during adolescence in the primary care setting: review and future directions.J Adolesc Health. 2016;59(2):135-143. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2016.03.025Shaw P, Sudre G.Adolescent attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: understanding teenage symptom trajectories.Biol Psychiatry. 2021;89(2):152-161. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.06.004American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.National Health Service.ADHD symptoms.Additional ReadingCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms and diagnosis of ADHD.National Institute of Mental Health.ADHD in children and teens.Nemours Foundation.ADHD (for parents).Nemours Foundation.ADHD (for teens).

5 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychiatric Association.What is ADHD?Brahmbhatt K, Hilty DM, Hah M, Han J, Angkustsiri K, Schweitzer J.Diagnosis and treatment of adhd during adolescence in the primary care setting: review and future directions.J Adolesc Health. 2016;59(2):135-143. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2016.03.025Shaw P, Sudre G.Adolescent attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: understanding teenage symptom trajectories.Biol Psychiatry. 2021;89(2):152-161. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.06.004American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.National Health Service.ADHD symptoms.Additional ReadingCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms and diagnosis of ADHD.National Institute of Mental Health.ADHD in children and teens.Nemours Foundation.ADHD (for parents).Nemours Foundation.ADHD (for teens).

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

American Psychiatric Association.What is ADHD?Brahmbhatt K, Hilty DM, Hah M, Han J, Angkustsiri K, Schweitzer J.Diagnosis and treatment of adhd during adolescence in the primary care setting: review and future directions.J Adolesc Health. 2016;59(2):135-143. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2016.03.025Shaw P, Sudre G.Adolescent attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: understanding teenage symptom trajectories.Biol Psychiatry. 2021;89(2):152-161. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.06.004American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.National Health Service.ADHD symptoms.

American Psychiatric Association.What is ADHD?

Brahmbhatt K, Hilty DM, Hah M, Han J, Angkustsiri K, Schweitzer J.Diagnosis and treatment of adhd during adolescence in the primary care setting: review and future directions.J Adolesc Health. 2016;59(2):135-143. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2016.03.025

Shaw P, Sudre G.Adolescent attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: understanding teenage symptom trajectories.Biol Psychiatry. 2021;89(2):152-161. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.06.004

American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

National Health Service.ADHD symptoms.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms and diagnosis of ADHD.National Institute of Mental Health.ADHD in children and teens.Nemours Foundation.ADHD (for parents).Nemours Foundation.ADHD (for teens).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms and diagnosis of ADHD.

National Institute of Mental Health.ADHD in children and teens.

Nemours Foundation.ADHD (for parents).

Nemours Foundation.ADHD (for teens).

Meet Our Review Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

What is your feedback?