When school is in session, kids and teens with ADHD often benefit from a set routine. There’s a clear schedule, predictable transitions, and plenty of built-in structure that helps them stay organized. But once winter break hits, that structure disappears.

Not every change in a teenager signals a serious problem. Adolescence naturally comes with emotional shifts, growing independence, and evolving priorities. However, when changes are persistent, escalating, or clearly out of character, they may reflect more than typical developmental stress.

Dr. Mailyn Santana answers common questions about medication side effects, explaining which ones can be helpful, which are temporary, and how to manage them. Learn why side effects aren’t always bad and how to talk to your provider.

It’s totally normal to feel a little shy when you meet someone new or speak in front of a crowd. But when that nervousness turns into intense fear — the kind that makes you avoid social situations altogether — it could be social anxiety.