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LIVING WITH ADHD - PART 2
- Apr 15, 2024
- 8 min read
PART 2: WHAT DOES ADHD LOOK LIKE?
ADHD SYMPTOMS & BEHAVIORS
ADHD begins in childhood and can continue into the teen years and adulthood. Symptoms of ADHD can interfere with daily activities and relationships.
ADHD symptoms defined
Most common symptoms of ADHD:
Sensory overload.
Constant distractibility.
Organizational challenges.
Poor concentration.
Hyperactivity; being overly active.
Impulsivity.
Inability to control impulsive behaviors.
Acting without and before considering the consequences.
Trouble paying attention.
Daydreaming.
Forgetting and/or losing things frequently.
Squirming or fidgeting.
Talking too much.
Interrupting conversations.
Making careless mistakes.
Taking unnecessary risks.
Having a hard time resisting temptation.
Having trouble taking turns and sharing.
Social and relational struggles.
What the Bible has to say about these symptoms (yes...it does address them!)
"Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him." Proverbs 29:20
"A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls." Proverbs 25:28
"One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless. A man of quick temper acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated. The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge." Proverbs 14:16-18
ADHD in Teens
In young children with ADHD, hyperactivity and impulsivity are the most common symptoms. But, as academic and social demands increase, symptoms of inattention become more prominent and begin to interfere with academic performance and peer relationships.
These symptoms lead to significant suffering and cause problems at home, at school or work, and in relationships.
Observed symptoms in teens with ADHD are not the result of him or her being defiant or unable to understand tasks or instructions.
In adolescence, hyperactivity often becomes less severe and may appear more as restlessness or fidgeting.
Symptoms of inattention and impulsivity typically continue and may cause worsening academic, organizational, and relationship challenges.
Teens with ADHD also are more likely to engage in impulsive, risky behaviors, including substance use and unsafe sexual activity.
During the teen years, especially as the hormonal changes of adolescence are going on and the demands of school and extracurricular activities are increasing, ADHD symptoms often get more severe and debilitating.
It is important to note however, that effective treatments are available to manage these symptoms in teens.
99.9% of teenagers lack the confidence and maturity to embrace their differences, let alone explain and relate them to friends.
Figuring out how to fit in—or how not to be noticed if you don't—takes up a lot of headspace if you're a teenager today.
Teens go way out of their way to avoid attracting unwanted attention, and when you are struggling to cope with ADHD symptoms of ADHD, hiding in plain sight really isn't an option.
Most teens already feel frustrated, anxious, and completely overwhelmed by the amount of effort it takes them to get through a typical school day.
Deficits in executive functioning make ordinary tasks like following a conversation, being organized, staying on task, and completing homework assignments seem like monumental challenges... not to mention pimples, periods, and peer pressure!
Combine all that with ADHD impulsivity, and things become both overwhelming and scary.
If you find yourself wishing you could just fast forward to the end of your adolescence, know you aren't alone!
Additionally, teenagers begin to have more autonomy and less structure both at school and at home, to include less teacher oversight and accountability when it comes to completing assignments and keeping up their grades.
For teens with ADHD, this newfound independence can backfire and even exacerbate some symptoms of ADHD.
Specific effects ADHD has on one's social, academic, and emotional functioning.
Effects of ADHD on Social Functioning:
Many children with ADHD exhibit difficulties in peer relationships due to impulsivity, hyperactivity, and aggression. Frequent interruptions, difficulty coping with frustration, and poor social skills can negatively impact early friendships, and that pattern can continue into adolescence.
Research shows that children who have ADHD have fewer friends, are less likely to be accepted by their peers, and are more likely to experience social rejection during their teenage years.
The importance of peer relationships increases during adolescence, as teens spend more of their time engaged with peers. Lack of practice with social skills in the early years can make it difficult to establish new friendships during the teen years.
Something else to keep in mind is the impact of ADHD on the executive skills needed for the maturity necessary to have successful relationships (and other important functions). They don’t fully develop in the brain for anyone until the early 20s. For people with ADHD add 3 to 5 years to that timeline.
Effects of ADHD on Academic Functioning:
Academic problems are a key feature of ADHD, often triggering the teacher and/or parent to evaluate the student.
Academically, ADHD has been associated with:
Poor grades.
Poor reading and math standardized tests scores.
Increased rates of grade retention.
Greater episodes of detention and expulsion.
Lower graduation rates.
Poor planning and organizational skills.
Difficulty acquiring proper studying skills.
Lack of note-taking skills.
Poor test-taking skills.
Deficits in executive function.
Additionally, the increasing demands of middle and high school place additional stress on students diagnosed with ADHD.
Both the amount of work and it's difficulty levels increase as students move through 6th-12th grades, and daily homework assignments are often replaced with long-term assignments that require planning and organizational skills.
Effects of ADHD on Emotional Functioning:
Multiple research has proven that there are high levels of coexistence between a diagnosis of ADHD and a diagnosis of other emotional disorders.
These include but are not limited to: mood disorders, anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorders, and conduct disorders.
In fact, one study found that teenagers with ADHD have a 2.5x higher risk of major depression than those without ADHD.
Teens with ADHD need extra emotional support from their parents, relatives, peers, coaches, and teachers.
The behaviors that parents and teachers may view as frustrating or annoying are the very behaviors that trigger anxiety and low self-esteem in teens with ADHD.
Due to ADHD's element of impulsivity, emotional regulation is a real struggle for teens with the disease.
How ADHD effects a teen's day to day life.
Combine the increasing occurrences of the aforementioned pressures, high academic demands, and low social interaction skills with low social, academic, and emotional regulation skills and it all adds up to teens with ADHD having to struggle navigating through a typical day than their peers.
Because of problems with getting distracted and poor concentration, many teens with ADHD have problems in school. Grades may fall, especially if the teen is not getting ADHD treatment. It's not uncommon for teens with ADHD to forget assignments, lose textbooks, and become bored with their daily classwork.
Teens may also become inattentive or excessively attentive like not waiting their turn before blurting out answers. They may interrupt their teachers and classmates, and they may rush through assignments.
Teens with ADHD may also be fidgety and find it tough to sit still in class - often frustrating teachers who do not understand and accommodate for ADHD symptoms.
Often, teens with ADHD are so busy focusing on and being distracted by other things that they forget about the task at hand.
This can be seen especially with homework and athletic skills and in relationships with peers. This lack of attention to what they're doing often leads to bad grades on tests, as well as being passed over for sports teams, after-school activities, clubs, and peer groups.
Other important factors to consider for teens with ADHD
Driving poses special risks for teens with ADHD. Teens with ADHD are two to four times more likely to have a car accident than teens without ADHD.
Teens with ADHD may be impulsive, risk-taking, immature in judgment, and thrill-seeking. All of these traits make accidents and serious injury more likely.
Teens with ADHD are more likely to be heavy drinkers than teens without ADHD.
They are also more likely to have problems from drinking.
Teens with ADHD are frequently targets for bullying.
ADHD can lead to poor self-esteem and limited social function when not appropriately treated.
ADHD can last into adulthood.
Some adults have ADHD but have never been diagnosed.
Their symptoms can cause difficulty at work, home, and with relationships.
ADHD symptoms may look different at older ages; for example, hyperactivity may appear as extreme restlessness.
ADHD symptoms can become more severe when the demands of adulthood increase.
Adults with ADHD may experience poor self-worth, sensitivity towards criticism, and increased self-criticism.
ADHD Symptoms by Type
Inattentive Type Inattentive refers to challenges with staying on task, focusing, and organization.
Doesn’t pay close attention to details.
Makes careless mistakes in school or job tasks.
Has problems staying focused on tasks or activities, such as during lectures, conversations or long reading.
Doesn't seem to listen when spoken to.
Doesn't follow through on instructions and tasks.
Doesn’t complete schoolwork, chores or job duties (may start tasks but quickly loses focus).
Has problems organizing tasks and work (does not manage time well; has messy, disorganized work; misses deadlines).
Avoids or dislikes tasks that require sustained mental effort, such as preparing reports and completing forms.
Often loses things needed for tasks or daily life, such as school papers, books, keys, wallet, cell phone and eyeglasses.
Is easily distracted.
Forgets daily tasks, such as doing chores, running errands, returning phone calls, paying bills, and keeping appointments.
Difficulty sustaining attention in play and tasks, including conversations, tests, or lengthy assignments
Trouble listening closely when spoken to directly
Is over stimulated by extraneous stimuli
"Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the Word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls." James 1:19-21
Hyperactive/Impulsive Type Hyperactivity refers to excessive movement such as fidgeting, excessive energy, not sitting still, and being talkative. Impulsivity refers to decisions or actions taken without thinking through the consequences.
Fidgets with or taps hands or feet, or squirms in seat.
Not able to stay seated for extended periods of time.
Unable to play or do leisure activities quietly.
Always “on the go,” as if driven by a motor.
Talks too much.
Blurts out an answer before a question has been finished (for instance may finish people’s sentences, can’t wait to speak in conversations).
Has difficulty waiting for his or her turn, such as while waiting in line.
Interrupts or intrudes on others (cuts into conversations, games or activities, or starts using other people’s things without permission).
May take over what others are doing.
Fidgeting and squirming while seated.
Getting up and moving around when expected to stay seated.
Restlessness.
Being unable to silently engage in hobbies.
Talking excessively.
Attempting to finish other people’s sentences.
Combined Type Exhibits symptoms of both inattentive and hyperactivity/impulsivity equally.
Biblical Truths Concerning ADHD
“God does not see as man sees, since man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
No matter where one stands on the validity of ADHD being a true medical condition or not, it is obvious that God deeply loves you and me and He wants to use us powerfully, despite the negative character traits or negative medical symptoms we may have.
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2
Biblical teachings concerning:
Attentiveness
God recognizes that some tasks are hard, yet it is good for us to be faithful with our tasks.
God recognizes that it is hard to stay focused, yet there are rewards for staying focused.
God recognizes that it is hard to develop priorities, yet there are rewards for making good choices.
God recognizes that it is hard to listen to instruction, yet there are rewards for listening to those who are teaching.
God recognizes that it is hard to remember things; that is why He tells us to develop reminders.
Self-Control
We typically do not exhibit self-control; it is a fruit of the Holy Spirit as well as that which we add to our faith.
Galatians 5:23; 2 Peter 1:6
The apostle Paul described bringing his body under control as a battle.
The Bible encourages controlling the use of our words.
We are advised that control of our lives begins with control over our minds.
Impulsivity
God states that there are consequences to being hasty.
There is value in listening before speaking.
It is wise to listen to a matter before answering.
Patience and long-suffering (holding back passion) are signs of spiritual maturity.
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