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Teenagers who have attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and their parents strongly believe that treating the disorder can lead to significant improvements in school and at home, an NMHA survey conducted last year shows.

Both parents and teen credit the teens’ treatment—in the form of medication, counseling and/or behavior therapy—with contributing to better grades in school, higher selfesteem, improved social relationships and enhanced participation in extracurricular activities.

In particular, after receiving help, 56 percent of teens report that they improved their school grades. A large majority of both groups (81 percent of parents and 73 percent of teens) reported “some to a great deal of improvement” in their ability to feel good and happy. In addition, 70 percent of parents and 61 percent of teens reported some to a great deal of improvement in making new friends.

“ADHD exacerbates the problems all teens grapple with, such as heavy demands at school, more complicated social situations, and a growing desire for independence,” said NMHA President and CEO Michael Faenza. “Therefore, it is critical that they receive the support and treatment needed to succeed during these critical years.”

As with all mental health disorders, parents who suspect that their child may have ADHD should seek a proper diagnosis from their child’s pediatrician, who can determine if treatment is necessary and recommend the best type of care for your child.

For more survey results and information about how the survey was conducted, visit http://www.nmha.org/newsroom/surveys.cfm

About the Survey

The survey was conducted online in the United States by Harris Interactive from July-August 2004, for NMHA through a grant from McNeil Consumer & Specialty Pharmaceuticals. The survey evaluated the responses of a nationwide sample of 268 parents of teenagers, ages 14 to 18, who have been diagnosed with ADHD and 265 teenagers, ages 14 to 18, who have been diagnosed with ADHD. Parents and teenagers were recruited independently and were not matched pairs (i.e., parents and teenagers from the same family were not matched together).