Troubled Teens Resources

Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder is often associated with other disorders. Teens diagnosed with ADHD are also often experiencing depression or extreme anxiety. That is one reason why early diagnosis is important. Teen age drug abuse is often a concern for the parent who doesn’t wish to medicate their teen. But, by the same token, an undiagnosed ADHD teen, in attempting to diminish their anxiety or blow off their depression, often starts to self-medicate on their own.

The newest reports suggest that along with anxiety and depression may come a more increased risk for bulimia and anorexia.

“Results showed that girls with ADHD were 3.6 times more likely than girls without ADHD to develop eating disorders. Also, girls with both ADHD and an eating disorder were more likely than girls who only had ADHD to experience depression, anxiety, and disruptive behavior disorder.

They concluded that ADHD increases the risk of developing an eating disorder significantly.

This research could have an influence on the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in young girls. Because these girls are so much more likely to develop an eating disorder, it may be essential that girls with ADHD be screened regularly for eating disorders or unhealthy eating attitudes.

With eating disorders, prevention is often much more effective than treatment after the fact. If ADHD is a risk factor for an eating disorder, doctors have one more tool for detecting and preventing eating disorders early, making recovery much more likely.”

(Source)