Adolescence is a powerful period of growth. The brain is rapidly developing and teens are building skills that shape their adult lives. It’s also when many anxiety-related disorders first appear: Specific Phobias often begin in childhood, Social Anxiety Disorder commonly emerges between early teens and early adulthood, Panic Disorder can start as early as age 15. Early, evidence-based treatment during this developmental window is essential, giving teens the best chance to strengthen healthy neural pathways before the brain finishes maturing.

Some adolescents don’t receive an ADHD diagnosis until their teenage years — especially bright students in high-achieving communities like Lexington. Pressure to achieve can prevent youth from asking for help or receiving a diagnoses. Earlier in childhood, strong intelligence and motivation may compensate for executive functioning challenges, but as academic demands increase, symptoms such as difficulty sustaining attention, staying organized, or managing time become harder to mask. When expectations rise and systems that once worked no longer do, teens and families often seek support to understand what’s happening and learn effective strategies to thrive. Dr. Colby is certified as an ADHD Clinical Service Provider and knows what symptoms to look out for while providing skills to overcome obstcles. Dr. Colby is connected with a number of local neuropsychologists who can provide not only an ADHD diagnosis as appropriate, but also evaluate for learning disorders and provide academic recommendations.