ADHD the Russell A. Barkley & Associates • Volume 21 • Number 8 • ISSN 1065-8025 • December 2013 • © 2013 The Guilford Press The ADHD Report • 1 R E P O R T Contents Evaluating a Demystification Program for Adolescents with฀ADHD,฀1฀•฀Research฀Findings,฀7 Many health professionals wrongly as- sume that symptoms of ADHD disap- pear by adolescence; however, ADHD is a chronic disorder often persisting across the lifespan (Schachar, 2009). Al- though there is some inconsistency in the literature regarding the prevalence of ADHD in adolescent populations, it is clear that the majority of those diag- nosed with ADHD as children will con- tinue to display ADHD symptoms and related adjustment problems through- out adolescence and adulthood (Hin- shaw, Owens, Sami, & Fargeon, 2006; Schachar, 2009). In particular, inatten- tive symptoms appear to continue, while hyperactive symptoms appear to dissipate over time (Hinshaw et al., 2006; Schachar, 2009). Adolescents with ADHD commonly suffer from adjustment problems and are at an in- creased risk for a number of negative life outcomes (Schachar, 2009). Specifi- cally, these adolescents are more likely to experience severe difficulties in so- cial interactions leading to peer rejec- tion (O’Callaghan, Reitman, Northup, Hupp, & Murphy, 2003), increased in- terpersonal problems (Barkley, 1998), and a higher incidence of alcohol and substance use (Barkley, 1998; Schachar, 2009). ADOLESCENT ADHD TREATMENT฀COMPLIANCE The findings of several studies have suggested that treatment compliance for adolescents with ADHD is particu- larly low, with fewer than half of these individuals regularly adhering to their prescribed dosages of stimulant medi- cation (Charach, Ickowicz, & Schachar, 2004; Thiruchelvam, Charach, & Schachar, 2001; Wolraich et al., 2005). Wong and colleagues (2009) found that ADHD treatment cessation among adolescents is common, even when symptoms persist, and this decision is most often made by adolescents alone, with or without parental support. Sev- eral barriers to treatment compliance for both children and adolescents have been identified: dissatisfaction with diagnostic processes; fear and stigma regarding the diagnosis of ADHD and the use of stimulant medication; lack of symptom response within the first month of starting medication; develop- ment of side effects; and demographic factors, such as race, family composi- tion, and socioeconomic status (Mon- astra, 2005; Stine, 1994). Research has supported a positive link between parental knowledge about ADHD and utilization and adherence to evidence-based treat- ments for children (Corkum, Rimer, & Schachar, 1999; Monastra, 2005). However, adolescents, unlike children, may not be as strongly influenced by parental knowledge. For example, Bastiaens (1995) found that pharma- cotherapy treatment compliance in adolescents with psychiatric disorders (other than ADHD) is not related to pa- NOTICE TO NON-PROFESSIONALS The information contained in this newsletter is not intended as a substitute for consultation with health care professionals. Evaluating a Demystification Program for Adolescents with ADHD Pamela Blotnicky-Gallant, M.A., Erin Costain, M.A., and Penny Corkum, Ph.D.