There are several possible options for treatment of your ADHD teen. First of all, you may opt to not use any medical treatment at all. In this case, your teenager would have to understand his or her own faults as they experience them.

The advantage of this option is that it would not expose your teenager to any possible side effects of medication or let his or her natural capabilities become affected. Yet, without medical treatment your teen may not also be able to utilize his/her capabilities to their maximum potential.

Studies have shown that youth afflicted with ADHD not undergoing treatment actually suffer from substance abuse and other issues more than those who undergo treatment.

Another option you may choose for your ADHD teen is behavior modification. This form of treatment is actually cost-friendly and focuses on helping your teen recognize his/her strong points in order to let these points grow. Those that support this type of treatment believe that a kind of treatment based solely on medication does not teach a child how to control his/her actions.

Behavior modification on the other hand has been known to accomplish this with steady reinforcement. This regular reinforcement is not an easy task to accomplish daily but it may be possible with patience and perseverance. At the end it is not certain that he or she will gain self-control, yet despite the uncertainty, behavior modification is a helpful means for a parent to manage his or her teen. This type of treatment need not be utilized for ADHD alone; it can be applied for other disorders and issues that your troubled teen may be dealing with.

Another type of treatment you may opt to try with your ADHD teen is medication. Compared to other forms of treatment, medication may prove to offer the most direct response from your child. Medication can help him or her focus and reduce hyperactivity. The disadvantages of medication are the costs and also the possible side effects.

The following are possible medications that may be utilized for youth with ADHD:

bupropion (Welbutrin)

Cloridine

fluoxetine (Prozac)

paroxetine (Paxil)

Tricyclics

venlafixine (Effexor)

Adderall

methamphetamine (Desoxyn or Dexedrine)

methylphenidate (Ritalin)

pemoline (Cylert)

valproic acid (Depakote)

Combining Methods

Finally, you may also opt to combine different methods of treatment in order to find a mix that can benefit your individual child the most. By combining medication with behavior modification, your child may benefit from the advantages of medication while undergoing behavior modification.

The medication can make modification an easier process for your teen as it helps control his or her focus while under treatment for behavior. This mixture of treatment has been observed to be highly effective.

You may consider getting an ADHD coach for your teen. He or she will focus on helping your child utilize coping methods and control behavior. An ADHD coach makes use of both cognitive therapy and behavior modification in treatment.