Teens' perceptions about attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and medications
1Systems Management Program, University of Arizona College of Nursing, Tucson, AZ, USA.
Summary
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) medications are perceived by teens as helpful for school and family life. Despite being a hassle, teens find ADHD medications improve their daily functioning and self-perception.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Psychology
- Adolescent Health
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Background:
- Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) significantly impacts adolescent development and daily functioning.
- Understanding adolescent perspectives on AD/HD and its treatment is crucial for effective interventions.
- The Roy Adaptation Model provides a framework for examining individual responses to health challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore high school students' perceptions of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) and medication.
- To understand how AD/HD and its treatment influence teens' physiologic, role, interdependence, and self-concept adaptations.
- To inform school nursing interventions and multidisciplinary support for adolescents with AD/HD.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study employing semistructured interviews.
- Participants: 15 high school teens (aged 14-17) with parent-reported AD/HD.
- Data analysis: Inductive analysis to identify emergent themes.
Main Results:
- Medication was perceived as a hassle but effective ('Medications are a hassle, but they work').
- AD/HD medications improved academic performance ('I do better in school when I take the meds').
- Treatment enhanced family dynamics and social interactions, with peers often unaware of medication use ('With meds things are better with my family, and friends don't know I am any different').
- Teens identified as 'everyday teenagers,' indicating medication helped them achieve normalcy ('I'm just an everyday teenager, pretty much.').
- The overarching theme was that 'Meds help me.'
Conclusions:
- Adolescents perceive AD/HD medications as beneficial for their academic and social well-being.
- School nurses can utilize these insights to develop targeted interventions for teens and families.
- A multidisciplinary approach involving healthcare providers, educators, and communities is essential for supporting adaptive educational experiences for teens with AD/HD.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:30Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
01:15Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
Drug dependence, abuse, and addiction are complex phenomena that can precipitate various abnormal states. Physical dependence refers to a state of pharmacological adaptation to a drug. This adaptation often results in tolerance—a reduced response to the drug after repeated administrations. When the drug use is abruptly stopped, withdrawal symptoms occur due to the body's need to readjust from the pharmacologically induced imbalance. However, tolerance and withdrawal symptoms do not necessarily...
01:28Drug Therapy
The advent of drug therapy has profoundly shaped modern mental health care, providing targeted treatments for a range of psychological disorders. Psychotherapeutic drugs, classified into antianxiety, antidepressant, and antipsychotic medications, address symptoms across anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and schizophrenia. While these medications have transformed patient outcomes, they require careful management due to their potential side effects and limitations.
Antianxiety Medications
Antianxiety Medications
01:24CNS Stimulants: Cocaine, Amphetamines and Cannabinoids
CNS stimulants, such as cocaine, amphetamines, and cannabinoids, have varying structures and mechanisms of action that lead to different therapeutic effects and side effects. Cocaine, with its molecular formula C17H21NO4, is a tropane alkaloid and a tertiary amino compound. It has two chemical forms: the hydrochloride salt and the "freebase." The former is in powder form, while the latter involves removing the hydrochloride salt to create a form that can be smoked. Cocaine exerts its effects by...
01:24Mania and Antimanic Drugs: Overview
Mania, a psychological condition characterized by elevated mood, increased energy, and reduced sleep need, is part of the bipolar disorder cycle. The exact cause of mania isn't entirely known, but it is thought to be a combination of genetic, environmental, and neurological factors. Bipolar disorder involves alternating manic and depressive episodes. Mood stabilizers like lithium, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants help manage these episodes. Lithium carbonate is particularly effective as a...
01:25Antidepressant Drugs: Overview
Antidepressant drugs are a class of medications primarily used for treating various mood disorders, including major depression, anxiety disorders, and other related conditions. These medicines work by modulating the neurotransmitter balance within the brain, alleviating depressive symptoms. Antidepressants can be broadly categorized into several groups according to their mechanism of action and chemical structure: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), Serotonin-Norepinephrine...