Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity disorder are clinical diagnoses that are included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). Moreover, ADD and ADHD are usually diagnosed in teenage girls who chronically display impulsivity, hyperactivity, distractibility, seemingly endless energy, and inability to focus for sustained periods of time.
Knowing The Symptoms
While it’s true that parents of teenage girls are unaware of the direct cause of ADD and ADHD, most parents are certainly familiar with the symptoms of these diagnoses.
Attention deficit disorAttention-deficit deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a psychological disturbance in the brain and is evident through the actions and emotions of those who are afflicted. Having said that, it’s important for parents to seek appropriate and immediate treatment if their daughter displays symptoms of attention deficit disorder through her behaviors and attitude.
Causes, Medications, And Treatment For Teens
In the case of troubled teenage girls and pre-teens, psychological issues are narrowed down to the pre-frontal lobe of the brain where our “control center’ is located. Psychological experts have deduced that troubled teens who exhibit ADD or ADHD symptoms possess a pre-frontal lobe that is inactive.
In terms of medicating attention deficit disorders, it is a teenage girl’s prefrontal inactivity that prompts doctors to prescribe medications like Ritalin or Adderall (which are drugs designed to activate the pre-frontal cortex).
Having said that, attention deficit disorder medications are dangerous and can easily be abused as they are powerful stimulants. Needless to say, parents should be hesitant to give their teenage daughter powerful, psycho-activating narcotics. Instead, intensive therapeutic treatment – like that of residential treatment – should be considered before deciding on ADD or ADHD prescriptions.
Potential Causes And Things To Avoid
There are various reasons why some pre-teens and troubled teens have issues related to impulse control (sleeping pre-frontal lobes). Some experts claim that food allergies cause the dysfunction in the brain. They state that heavy metals also can contribute.
Studies show that kids with attention deficit issues have elevated levels of lead and other heavy metals in their blood and brain. Diets high in carbohydrates (sugars) have also been identified as a factor. Blood sugar imbalance is one more major influence over a child’s hyperactivity behaviors (in other words, high doses of sugar is not good).
Additionally, a poor diet can also affect the pre-frontal lobe of the brain. Lack of good nutrients like zinc, calcium, magnesium, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and B vitamins can have a detrimental influence on the brain.
Symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
- Diminished attention span
- Inability to complete tasks
- Hyperactivity
- Tendency to interrupt others
- Impulsive control issues
It’s also worth noting that almost one-quarter of children with ADHD also suffers from one or more specific learning disabilities in math, spelling or reading.
The Dangers Of Untreated Or Undiagnosed ADD And ADHD In Troubled Teenage Girls
ADD and ADHD, if left untreated, can be disastrous for teenage girls. More specifically, teenage girls who are afflicted by an attention deficit disorder often act on their own impulsivity, regardless of how self-destructive their impulsive behaviors may be. Furthermore, teenage girls who suffer from undiagnosed or ineffectively treated ADD or ADHD, are at high risk of abusing harmful substances such as drugs and alcohol.
And that’s not all, adolescent girls who have an attention deficit disorder are also at risk of engaging in self-destructive and dangerous behaviors other than substance abuse such as, sexual promiscuity, self-harm, or thrill seeking behaviors like that of criminal activity.
ADD And ADHD Is Caused By An Inactive Prefrontal Cortex (It’s Not A Choice)
Most psychological experts believe that Attention Deficit Disorder is psychologically clinical in nature. In other words, Attention Deficit Disorders are not the fault of teenage girls who are affected. However, while these disorders are not the result of one’s choosing, teenage girls can learn how to make proactive choices when experiencing ADD related symptoms. However, in most cases, teenage girls who suffer from ADD and ADHD require intensive residential treatment in order to learn how to properly manage their attention deficit issues.
Fortunately for parents of teenage girls suffering from attention deficit disorder, Turning Winds RTC is here to help. Our expert staff is made up of therapeutic professionals who are expert in providing treatment for teenage girls who are in need of behavioral, emotional and psychiatric restoration. In other words, if your daughter is engaging in self-destructive behaviors that are directly caused by psychological disorders, Turning Winds is a reputable program more than capable of saving your daughter from any further emotional, behavioral or psychological pain. Call us today at 800-845-1380
