pediatrics
Behavior Problems in Adolescents
Specific Behavioral Disorders
Disruptive behavioral disorders are common during adolescence. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD, ADHD) (ADHD) is the most common mental health disorder of childhood and often persists into adolescence and adulthood. Once thought of as a "nuisance" disorder of childhood, research has shown poor long-term functional outcomes in children diagnosed with ADHD as compared to their peers. Behavioral therapy and medications can improve outcomes. Clinicians should continue to treat and monitor adolescent patients diagnosed with ADHD in childhood. Although substance use disorders are more common among people with ADHD, treating with stimulants does not appear to increase the risk of developing a substance use disorder and may even decrease the risk. Clinicians are cautioned to make the diagnosis of ADHD carefully before initiating treatment because other conditions, such as Depressive Disorders in Children and Adolescents or Other common disruptive behaviors of childhood include Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and 