Concentration Problems in Teens: What Causes Them?
Staying focused in school can be tough for teenagers, with academic struggles often becoming more apparent during adolescence. Concentration problems in teens are fairly common, but the severity of these issues can vary. While some teens experience mild difficulties focusing at school, others may see their academic performance suffer because of more serious concentration difficulties.1
If you notice that your child is having trouble concentrating on school assignments, homework, or even tasks at home, it can be difficult to understand why it is happening. This article will explore why concentration problems in teens occur and some of the most common underlying causes. It will cover:
- The relationship between teen brain development and focus
- ADHD symptoms in adolescents
- Diagnosing ADHD in children and adolescents
- Other cognitive symptoms in youth
- Therapy for ADHD in teens
- Where to find professional support
The Relationship Between Teen Brain Development and Focus
Being able to focus your attention on a specific target is a skill that is still developing in adolescence. This ability is known as “attentional control” and is closely linked to mind-wandering and losing focus during a task. Because mind-wandering is often associated with lower performance, addressing these challenges during adolescence can have a positive effect on teens’ academic performance.
In general, more difficult tasks require extra attention, so challenging students appropriately can sometimes improve focus. However, several other factors can influence a child’s ability to focus. For example, our working memory capacity affects attentional control. Therefore, teens with stronger working memory often find it easier to stay focused than those with a lower working memory capacity.2
Sometimes teens have trouble focusing in school due to external distractions. For example, if your child is reading a book and a classmate’s phone rings, this sound can pull their attention away. As a result, they may retain less information and struggle to stay focused afterward. Internal distractions can also interfere with concentration. For instance, your child may lose focus during school when they become hungry or thirsty.2
Another area still developing during adolescence is “inhibitory control”. This refers to a child’s ability to stop a response or ignore irrelevant stimuli, and it is closely tied to attentional control and focus. Deficits in these skills often show up as inconsistent reactions during attention-related tests.1
We know that adolescents’ brains are still developing in their teenage years, and understanding how this impacts the natural ability to focus is important. However, if your child consistently struggles to focus at school and this affects their performance, it may be a sign of a larger issue, such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).3
ADHD Symptoms in Adolescents
Problems with attention and being easily distracted are two main symptoms of ADHD in adolescents. These difficulties can significantly affect a teen’s daily functioning and are more likely to continue into adulthood than hyperactivity symptoms. However, hyperactivity and impulsivity are also core symptoms of ADHD.3,4
Because of the combination of these symptoms, people with ADHD often report higher rates of academic problems, car accidents, and workplace issues. Being able to identify ADHD symptoms in adolescents early can help you get your child the support they need before these challenges become more serious.3
Other symptoms associated with ADHD in children and adolescents include low frustration tolerance, frequently shifting activities, difficulty organizing, and daydreaming. It is also important to remember that while ADHD symptoms are pervasive, they may not appear in every environment. For instance, children who struggle primarily with inattentiveness may have significant difficulties in the classroom, while their interactions with friends or family may not be affected. In contrast, teens with hyperactive or impulsive symptoms may do well in school but struggle more during less structured time at home.4
If you are concerned that your child is exhibiting some of these symptoms, the next step is to seek a formal diagnosis.
Diagnosing ADHD in Adolescents
Clear guidelines exist to help parents understand what an ADHD evaluation should involve. One option is to begin an evaluation with your child’s primary care physician. This is recommended when your child is showing academic or behavioral problems, along with symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity.5
When diagnosing ADHD in adolescence, additional measures are often required. Typically, physicians can get records from a child’s teacher to document symptoms at school. However, as teenagers usually interact with several teachers throughout the day, the protocol can differ slightly. In this case, physicians should collect information from at least two teachers and also try to get input from other adults your child sees regularly at school. This can include coaches, school guidance counselors, or leaders of extracurricular activities.5
It is very important that your child’s attention deficit evaluation is accurate, so the physician should also assess for other conditions that can coexist with ADHD. These may include anxiety, depression, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and conduct disorder (CD). They may also consider learning disabilities, other neurodevelopmental disorders, and physical conditions that could affect attention.5
Other Cognitive Symptoms in Youth
Once an accurate evaluation has ruled out or identified coexisting conditions, it becomes easier to understand the specific symptoms your child may be experiencing. This section looks at some of the cognitive symptoms that can resemble or overlap with ADHD.
Anxiety disorders commonly occur in adolescents with ADHD, with some studies showing comorbidity rates as high as 41%.6 Certain symptoms may indicate that your child needs support with both anxiety and focus issues. However, while anxiety and ADHD can look similar, there are a few key differences to be aware of.
Cognitive symptoms in youth that are more closely tied to inattentive ADHD include difficulty staying on task, not listening when spoken to, and struggling to follow instructions. However, with co-occurring anxiety and focus issues in teens, losing concentration may stem from excessive worrying, rather than overall inattention.6
For example, a teen with anxiety may have more trouble completing schoolwork because they worry about not doing well and ruminate about potential consequences if they fail. In ADHD alone, school performance typically suffers because the child cannot maintain attention or sit still. In addition, a teen with anxiety may show cognitive symptoms like irritability and hypervigilance that resemble hyperactivity, but the key difference is that this restlessness is directly tied to the child’s worrying.6
Being able to tell the difference between anxiety symptoms and ADHD symptoms is important for treatment, because it is often recommended to treat ADHD first. The reason is that when ADHD symptoms improve, your child may also experience relief from the symptoms of anxiety.6
Treatment for ADHD in Teens
When treating ADHD in teens, the first line of treatment usually involves medication. However, the ultimate goal is to find the right medication and then pursue therapeutic options such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Let’s look at each part of treatment in more detail:
Medications for ADHD
There are several types of medications that have proven effective in reducing ADHD symptoms in adolescents and improving educational performance. One class of medications commonly used is central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. The two primary stimulants prescribed are Ritalin (methylphenidate) and Adderall (amphetamine), both of which help improve mental alertness and concentration. Another class of medications used for ADHD in adolescents is selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Examples of FDA-approved SNRIs for treating ADHD include atomoxetine, reboxetine, viloxazine, and maprotiline.7
Therapy for ADHD in Teens
CBT is helpful for treating ADHD as well as anxiety in adolescents. Studies focused on CBT for teens with ADHD typically include seven modules:
- Psychoeducation
- Teen distractibility solutions
- Adaptive thinking and motivational support for teens
- Procrastination
- Family sessions
- Parent-only sessions
- Relapse prevention
Crucially, combining CBT with medication treatment for ADHD is typically more effective than using medication alone.7,8
One aspect of therapy that is particularly beneficial in treating ADHD is incorporating strategies that reward positive behaviors. This often includes modifying the environment, which ties directly to identifying appropriate school accommodations for teens. Common accommodations for teens with ADHD include extended time on tests and assignments or individualized instructions. These supports should be carefully considered to ensure they help struggling students with ADHD and other learning difficulties.7,9
MissionPrep: Offering High-Quality Teen Mental Health Services
At Mission Prep, we have experience working with adolescents who struggle with a variety of cognitive and behavioral symptoms. If you’ve been having trouble finding “teen mental health services near me”, we’re here to help. Whether your child is managing ADHD, anxiety, depression, or ODD, we have the resources to support their path to wellness.
Our extensive offerings include outpatient therapy tailored to your child’s needs, as well as more intensive programs like intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) and residential mental health treatment. If your child is having difficulty focusing in school or experiencing significant concentration problems, contact us today. A member of our team will listen to your concerns and provide appropriate recommendations for care.
References
- Hobbiss, M. H., & Lavie, N. (2024). Sustained selective attention in adolescence: Cognitive development and predictors of distractibility at school. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 238, 105784. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jecp.2023.105784
- Stawarczyk, D., Majerus, S., Catale, C., & D’Argembeau, A. (2014). Relationships between mind-wandering and attentional control abilities in young adults and adolescents. Acta Psychologica, 148, 25-36. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2014.01.007
- Forster, S., Robertson, D. J., Jennings, A., Asherson, P., & Lavie, N. (2014). Plugging the attention deficit: perceptual load counters increased distraction in ADHD. Neuropsychology, 28(1), 91. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/neu0000020
- Wilens, T. E., Biederman, J., & Spencer, T. J. (2002). Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder across the lifespan. Annual Review of Medicine, 53(1), 113-131. http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev.med.53.082901.103945
- Subcommittee on Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Steering Committee on Quality Improvement and Management. (2011). ADHD: clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents. Pediatrics, 128(5), 1007-1022. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2011-2654
- Friesen, K., & Markowsky, A. (2021). The diagnosis and management of anxiety in adolescents with comorbid ADHD. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 17(1), 65-69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2020.08.014
- Kumar, G., Sharma, B., Tiwari, R. K., Kumar, R., & Singh, M. K. (2024). A review on ADHD disorder, diagnosis and therapeutic approach in children and adolescents. Brain-Apparatus Communication: A Journal of Bacomics, 3(1), 2400070. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/27706710.2024.2400070
- Sprich, S. E., Safren, S. A., Finkelstein, D., Remmert, J. E., & Hammerness, P. (2016). A randomized controlled trial of cognitive behavioral therapy for ADHD in medication‐treated adolescents. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 57(11), 1218-1226. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.12549
- Giannakopoulos, G. (2025). Adolescents with ADHD in the school environment: A comprehensive review of academic, social, and emotional challenges and interventions. Journal of Clinical Images and Medical Case Reports, 6, 3528. https://doi.org/10.52768/2766-7820/3528
