ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It’s a mental disorder that affects how the brain manages focus, impulsivity, and staying still. Teens with ADHD may also experience irritability, procrastination, or trouble with study skills. Some teens have more problems with attention, while others are more hyperactive or impulsive. Many teens have a mix of both. Doctors, physicians, and mental health professionals often classify ADHD into:
Inattentive type
Impulsive type
Combined type
Teens with ADHD may:
Make careless mistakes in homework or at school
Forget chores or tasks assigned by a caregiver or teacher
Interrupt during conversations due to impulsivity
Struggle to sit still and may display tics or restlessness
Act without thinking, influenced by peer pressure or mood disorder
ADHD is a disease that needs proper medicine, care, and health care support. It is not caused by laziness or poor parenting, and addressing it early can help prevent co-occurring conditions like oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, or substance abuse.
Without treatment, ADHD can lead to academic, social, and emotional challenges. Teens might struggle in school, experience psychosocial pressure, or have difficulty building social skills. They may also:
Engage in risky behaviors like alcohol or drug use (substance abuse)
Experience suicidal ideation or low confidence
Develop dual diagnosis conditions like ADHD and bipolar disorder
Have trouble with daily functioning and nutrition
Face sleep problems, poor diet, and elevated blood pressure or blood sugar levels
Show impulsive symptoms that lead to appetite changes or unsafe decisions
Treatment plans may include adhd medication for teens such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine, dexmethylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse), amphetamine, or adderall. Non-stimulant options like atomoxetine, guanfacine, clonidine, and viloxazine are sometimes recommended to minimize side effects. The dose and choice of medication depend on clinical trial and randomized controlled trial evidence, systematic review findings, and individualized assessment by a physician or health professional.
At Adolescent Mental Health, we offer online psychiatry and medicine-supported ADHD treatment for teens so they can get help from home. Each patient receives an individualized plan created by a mental health professional, based on an evaluation of medical history, family history, and current symptoms. Our clinical trial-informed approach combines psychosocial and health care strategies to help adolescents succeed.
The treatment plan may include:
Behavior therapy guided by health professionals
Parent training to reduce irritability and improve family dynamics
Family therapy to address mood disorder or oppositional defiant disorder symptoms
Study skills coaching for improved attention span, study skills, and confidence
Medication support, which may involve stimulant or non-stimulant medicine such as methylphenidate, amphetamine, lisdexamfetamine, dexmethylphenidate, atomoxetine, clonidine, guanfacine, or viloxazine, tailored to the dose and needs of each teen
Adjustments at school through an individualized education program (IEP) and neurodiversity accommodations
Everything is delivered securely online, ensuring teens feel safe and supported while reducing stress and pressure often associated with in-person visits.
Behavioral therapies are a key part of ADHD treatment supported by systematic review and randomized controlled trial evidence. Our therapists and health care team teach teens how to:
Build strong executive skills with neurofeedback and meditation techniques
Improve social skills, reduce procrastination, and maintain healthy sleep routines
Control impulsive behavior, manage appetite, and make decisions without peer pressure influence
Make better choices to prevent substance abuse, alcohol, or risky drug use
We also help teens learn positive behaviors and reduce conduct disorder and disruptive behavior at school and home. Training in behavior management helps parents and caregivers establish healthy family rules, build better communication, and support their teen’s mental health and confidence.
For more information about the best ADHD medication for teens, adhd meds for teenagers, or behavioral treatment options, contact our clinic and speak with a qualified physician or mental health professional today.
We focus only on teens. Our team understands the difference in children versus adults when it comes to ADHD. We stay updated with science from sources like:
Our approach includes comprehensive reviews and uses findings from comparative efficacy studies. That means your teen gets care that works.
ADHD may happen alongside other mental disorders, such as:
We look at the full picture of your teen’s health. Our team creates a combination of medication and therapy that supports every area of life.
While medicine, therapy, and behavioral strategies help a lot, we also teach teens how to maintain a healthy lifestyle that supports mental health and improves effect size of treatment. A health professional or mental health professional may recommend:
Eating a balanced diet rich in minerals and nutrients to support dopamine and norepinephrine regulation in the brain
Getting regular sleep to reduce stress and improve mood disorder symptoms
Being active every day with exercise and even music-based activities to improve confidence and manage irritability
Managing emotions through meditation, stress management, and building study skills to lower pressure at home and school
This approach helps improve focus, lower blood pressure, reduce procrastination, and boost overall mental health and confidence while supporting teens’ unique neurodiversity.
If you’re in Laguna Hills, California or anywhere in the country, we’re ready to help. Our ADHD program is all online and made just for teenagers. We’ll meet you and your teen on a video call, talk about what’s going on, and build a plan that fits your life. With the right tools, your teen can succeed in school, at home, and in daily life.
Adolescent Mental Health is a dedicated virtual mental health treatment center exclusively focused on the mental health needs of teenagers, offering specialized care to address the unique challenges teens and families face.
Compassionate support, expert guidance, and tailored programs for adolescent mental health.
Connect with Adolescent Mental Health today. Let us guide your teenager towards resilience and well-being.
All calls are 100% free and confidential
