ADD & Social Awkwardness in Teens

Teenagers with attention deficit disorder (ADD), which was renamed attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in 1994, often struggle with social awkwardness because they lack emotional filters that would help them fit in and relate to other teens. Some teens with ADHD take medication to improve their concentration level, making it easier to integrate into social situations. Others suffer with minor symptoms and manage without medication. Teens with ADHD can work with their parents, medical professionals and teachers to develop healthy social and interpersonal skills.

  1. Impatience

    • Teens with ADHD often struggle to be patient and have difficulty waiting for their turn to speak. This can make social settings awkward if a teen interrupts his peers, interjects comments that might not be related to the current conversation or abruptly changes topics. Peers might not realize that impatience is a by-product of ADHD and think the teen is rude, insensitive or self-absorbed. Some might disengage from the teen, ostracize him or make fun of his social awkwardness behind his back.

    Restlessness

    • A teenager with ADHD often experiences restlessness, causing her to fidget with her hands, feet, school supplies, clothing or accessories. Peers often find this behavior to be distracting and feel uncomfortable when the ADHD-sufferer can't stand or sit still. They might ask, "What's wrong with you?" or, "Are you bored?" A teen with ADHD might not realize that she is constantly fiddling with her jewelry, tapping her foot or twirling her pencil, and not know how to reply to the questions.

    Excessive Talking

    • Teens with ADHD often experience socially awkward situations because they talk excessively and have trouble engaging in quiet activities, according to KidsHealth.org. They also experience a wide range of emotions and might overreact or underreact to certain conversations or situations. Peers might feel annoyed when they can't get a word in edgewise, or think it's strange when the teen doesn't respond like everyone else. Some teens with ADHD struggle to be good listeners and want to be the center of attention.

    No Filters

    • Irritation and tension on the part of a teen with ADHD often results in saying things without considering the consequences, says Tim Bilkey, founder of The Bilkey ADHD Clinic for Women in Toronto, as reported in "Psychology Today." Some teens forget to run their comments and ideas through a mental filter before speaking, or they don't have the ability to read situations and decipher how someone might perceive their comments. The teen might say something that hurts a peer's feelings, upsets his parents or offends a teacher. Even though the teen isn't purposely trying to frustrate his peers, his remarks might be taken as rude, insensitive or inappropriate.

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