Easing ADHD Symptoms in Teens

Teenagers have it rough between hormonal changes, academic expectations, extracurricular activities, and teen drama. Throw ADHD symptoms in teens on top of that, and your child will feel overwhelmed.

There are ways to help ease ADHD symptoms in teens and help your child adapt.

Easing ADHD Symptoms in Teens

Easing ADHD symptoms in teens is possible with a few lifestyle changes and systems in place. Putting these strategies into place takes practice and habit formation. Try to combine new habits with current routines to make them easier to remember.

For example, have your child check their calendar for critical due dates and appointments immediately after brushing their teeth in the morning and evening. Brushing their teeth is the cue, and checking the calendar twice daily keeps essential dates and tasks in mind.

Disorganization

As mentioned above, combining new habits with established ones (also known as habit stacking) can keep your teen organized. Disorganization is a common symptom of ADHD. To combat this, try new systems or routines based on positive habits they already have.

For some children, too many toys, books, games, action figures, and makeup cluttering their space can also cause them to feel anxious and overwhelmed. Help your teen pick through items they no longer need or love and donate them to those who cannot afford them. You can use totes, boxes, or shelves to organize your teen’s belongings.

Encourage them to play a game every evening before getting ready for bed (and are too tired) to pick up their things in 5 minutes. Set a timer and reward them when it goes off. Teach them that they can make a game out of focusing on a task in small increments of time because these can add up to significant results.

Trouble Focusing

Telling your child for the hundredth time to do something is frustrating, even for the most patient of parents. The inability to focus on tasks is a well-known symptom of ADHD. Try incorporating games to help harness your child’s ability to concentrate.

For example, if you need them to clean their room, set a timer for 5 or 10 minutes, depending on their age; older teens can go longer. Tell them to work as fast as possible before the timer goes off. When the timer buzzes, let them take a 5-minute break doing something fun.

This game also works for homework. Set the timer for 15 to 25 minutes and encourage them to work straight through without distractions. When the timer is done, give them a 5-minute break, perhaps to eat a snack, watch a clip, or play a session on a game. After a few rounds of this, give them a more extended break, maybe to watch a television show, play a game, go outside, or read.

Impulsive Behavior

ADHD includes hyperactivity, although not every teen is hyperactive. Even if they are not hyperactive, they may still make rash decisions and act impulsively. Impulsive behavior is often a result of negative thoughts or emotions. The child experiences negative thoughts or assumptions, feels angry or bad, and reacts accordingly. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), talk therapy, and meditation can help a teen learn how to slow down, identify negative thoughts and emotions, reframe them, and change their behavior.

Christian Counseling in Irvine, California

Christian counseling in Irvine, California is available to help with ADHD symptoms in teens. At Irvine Christian Counseling, we can connect you to a Christian counselor specializing in ADHD, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), talk therapy, and other evidence-based methods. Your counselor will combine experience with faith to draw your child closer to God while teaching them how to manage ADHD.

Contact us today at Irvine Christian Counseling to schedule a session with a Christian counselor in Irvine to discuss ADHD symptoms in teens.