additudemag.com
79%
678
Why Self-Harm Haunts Youth with ADHD: Causes, Signs, and Treatment
Editor’s Note: Self-harm impacts an estimated 17% of teens worldwide.1 Among youth with ADHD, especially girls, the prevalence of self-injury is significantly increased, in part, because hallmark characteristics of ADHD such as impulsivity and emotional dysregulation can compel self-injurious behavior.Dramatically higher rates of self-harm among youth with ADHD are reflected in many studies, including the Berkeley Girls ADHD Longitudinal Study (BGALS), which found that girls with combined-type ADHD are 2.5 times more likely than their neurotypical peers to engage in non-suicidal self-injury, and 3 to 4 times more likely to attempt suicide. A recent study found that, among self-harming teens, the incidence of hyperactivity and emotional dysregulation were so much higher than in the control group that the researchers concluded that self-harm may serve as a first presentation of ADHD, especially among girls who might otherwise go undiagnosed.2 They further suggested that all teens who present with self-harm should be screened for ADHD.The newest research has revealed that rates of self-harm among youth with ADHD may be even higher than past studies suggested.