Teenagers might not be faced with many of the situations that adults consider to be stressful, like financial concerns, parenting challenges, long commutes, a demanding career, job instability, etc., but the middle and high school years come with a set of challenges that can be highly stressful in their own right. In fact, in a 2013 American Psychological Association survey teenagers reported experiencing unhealthy levels of stress at higher rates than adults. Teens cited school as the number one source of stress, followed by worries about getting into a good college and figuring out what to do after high school. Other sources of stress included social pressures, worrying about family members, and worrying about family finances. When a teen has ADHD, their risk for unhealthy levels of stress goes up even higher. ADHD symptoms make school more challenging, both during the school day and in the evening during homework time. Friendships and dating can be harder with ADHD too, especially for teens that have difficulty picking up on subtle social cues or who tend to impulsively say things that they regret later. If your teenager is like most, then his or her afterschool and weekend schedule is packed with extracurricular activities that leave little room for down time. The time management challenges and impulsivity that comes with ADHD make it much more likely that a teen will get in over his or her head with too much to do and too little time. But like most teens, those with ADHD may not recognize that they have bitten off more than they can chew. They don’t necessarily know that their stress level is higher than it should be, or that they can ask for help.
Parents can usually identify unhealthy levels of stress before teenagers are able to do so themselves. Parents can also see the bigger picture, focus on long-term goals, and access help in ways that teenagers with ADHD often cannot. However, as a parent spotting signs of stress in a teenager with ADHD can be tricky. Many of the signs of teenage stress overlap with symptoms that typically accompany ADHD or are known side effects from ADHD medications:
So, when your teenager seems highly irritable, his or her grades are lower than you think they should be, he or she is complaining that he or she never has enough time to finish homework, and talks about not being able to focus in class, is that stress or is it ADHD? Every teen is different, but there are some signs that will indicate that unhealthy levels of stress may be part of the picture:
If you think your teen may be overly stressed, then start by having a conversation. Pick a low-key moment with your teen and start off by simply acknowledging that you’ve noticed that he or she has a lot on the plate right now. Ask what it feels like to have so much going on, and if he or she ever has moments where it feels like too much. Many teens will open up and will talk about themselves, but don’t feel pressured to get them to talk about everything in a single conversation. It’s okay to simply use the first conversation as an icebreaker on the topic. Sometimes shorter conversations with parents are all teens can handle when the subject matter is intense or serious. Therapists in your area or at your child’s school can also help you figure out if stress is having a negative effect on your teen. So, don’t hesitate to reach out and ask for help if you’re worried. You’ll be getting the support that you need, and you’ll be serving as a great role model for your teen by showing that it’s okay to ask for help when you need it.
Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers.
Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com.
This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.