Signs/symptoms of ADD and ADHD include:
Mental Difficulties
• easily distracted, does not seem to listen
• easily confused
• faulty abstract thinking
Physical Difficulties
• constant movement, excessively active
• variable rates of development
• food cravings
• allergies and sensitivities
Emotional Difficulties
• self centeredness
• impatience
• recklessness, acts before thinking
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inflexibility
aimlessness
perceptual difficulties
inattention to body stress (unable to identify hunger)
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sleep problems
coordination problems
requires close/constant supervision
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extreme emotionalism
weak conscience
poor respect for boundaries
Behavior Disorder/Conduct Disorder
The essential feature of a conduct disorder is a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior in which the teen violates the rights of others, or violates norms
or rules that are appropriate to his or her age. The conduct is more serious than the ordinary mischief and pranks of children and adolescents.
Studies indicate that conduct disorders are the largest single group of psychiatric illnesses in adolescents. Often beginning before the teen years, conduct
disorders afflict approximately 9% of boys and 2% of girls under the age of 18. Because the symptoms are closely tied to socially unacceptable, violent
or criminal behavior, many people confuse the illnesses with either juvenile delinquency or the turmoil of the teen years. Common signs of conduct and
behavior disorders are:
• consistently lying
• must have the last word
• unusually early sexual activity
• almost never admits fault
• overly argumentative and power seeking
• blames external circumstances and other people for difficulties
• often starts fights
• calls people derogatory names and swears at them (verbally
• difficulty at home and in the community
abusive)
• overly critical of others, including those in authority
• truancy from school
• self-esteem is usually low, although the teen may project the image
• clearly delinquent and pre-criminal in their actions and motives
of toughness
(examples: setting fires, destroying property, and cruelty to animals)
• rarely makes kind or helpful statements
Bipolar Affective Disorder/Manic Depression
Though the average age for the appearance of Bipolar Affective Disorder symptoms is the early 20’s, it is possible for adolescents to be affected by and show
signs of the disorder. A person suffering from Bipolar Affective Disorder experiences episodes of depression followed by mania (extreme elation) or vice versa.
Manic Episode
• the teen feels like they are very powerful and can do anything
• requires little sleep
• speaks rapidly and loudly, changing topics very abruptly
• easily distracted
• excessive involvement in pleasurable activities
Depressive Episode (Also see Depression)
• the child may be unable to function at all
• moves slowly
• lower grades
• low self-esteem
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moods may be either intensely “up” or highly irritable
restless
may have paranoid thoughts
neglects physical needs
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possible thoughts of suicide
appears to be lonely and isolated
neglects his or her physical needs