Tattoos and ADHD

[misty]

“Tattoos and ADHD”
Frank Barnhill M.D.

Most parents and spouses of ADHDers dread the possibility their ADHD teens and adults will end up with a tattoo sooner or later. They often lecture their kids and loved ones about the dangers of tattoos, but it just doesn’t seem to sink in. Unfortunately, statistics show that upwards of 30 to 35 percent of all ADHD teens and young adults (under age 35) will end up with one or more tattoos.

Why do ADHDer’s tattoo their bodies?...........................................

............................I know how difficult it can be when dealing with ADHDer’s who are really craving attention and looking for any way to gain acceptance from others. As a parent, we have a moderate amount of control over what our ADHDer’s do to their body, but not total control. Since most states allow 18 year olds to sign consent forms for body art application, I think it wise to try to educate your ADHDer of the dangers and negative social impact of tattoos before they start thinking about “their need” or what their friends have done. In my experience, the average age ADHDers think about tattoos tends to be 13 to 14 years.
Maybe you need to think about it now!

Full article here:

www.drhuggiebear.com/information/tattoosandadhd-text.htm

[anon4now]

I'm confused, what are the dangers of tattoos?

I understand the extreme-ist issue, and the social impact if your face is tattooed like a lizard or something. But I like tattoos, and my son and I talk about what he wants to get all the time.

His ideas keep changing, which I think will help me later down the road. My rule is if you want a tattoo for 2 years, then go for it. I was real close to getting a tattoo on impulse (impulse being I was thinking about it for 4-6 months) a year later, I don't want it anymore. So I'm glad I didn't follow through. So if my son wants a sword on his back now, and an eagle on his arm later (because a sword is just "stupid") and then forget an eagle, he wants to write Mom in a heart...you get my drift. I can later say, pick that tatoo and wait two years. If you still want it, I'll drive you to the best parlor in the state. (B/C we know the guy personally lol)

Same with piercings. Which I think are easier because they are less permenant and obvious. I got my eyebrow pierced 10 years ago. I can still put a bar in there, I just don't b/c of work policy. And I had my nose pierced, but it fell out and I never did it again. And no one knows the difference. I have also had my tongue pierced but wasn't a big fan of it. My DH on the other hand has had his tongue pierced 4 times, and his nose (the middle part) and his ears and a nipple.

Well, that's my thoughts on it anyways. Would be interested to hear the flip side, since I feel like I can't "see" the bad part.

*side note*
I remember when I got my tongue pierced, my friend got her nipple pierced. She was at my house and told my mom about her piercing. When my mom just shrugged it off, she blurted out, "Well your daughter got her tongue pierced!" I busted up laughing, like she had to get a rise out of my mom or something. My mom didn't care and they ended up talking all night about the pain addiction and how my friend was trying to "feel".

Anon

[jj]

The risks are:

• Infection.
  
• Unclean needles and equipment can transmit blood borne pathogens such as HIV, Hepatitis B and C, tuberculosis, and tetanus. Note: In fact if you are planning on donating blood the American Blood Bank will not take your blood for 1 year after a tatoo for both of the above reasons.
  
• Allergic reaction (rare though)
  
• MRI's and tattos don't get along well.
  
• The chances of getting Keloids
  

So I think what they mean is you need to make sure your kid goes to a reputable place that has a permit and is made aware that any of the above could happen.

I love your idea Anon. If you make a waiting period and they still want it then they can have it.

Personally, I'm not a fan of tatoos but if someone wants one that is their business. I just have ear piercings and that's it. I will tell you this. My big boss flat out told me he doesn't want anyone hired that has nose or tongue piercings or tatoos that show. And believe me there have been plenty of youngsters who don't give it a second though they should probably remove their nose/tongue jewelry before they come in to fill in an application. LOL

[puzzled]

What I would to know is what is the percentage of teens that are NOT ADHD that have tattoos and piercings? Because I am willing to bet it is about the same as ones with ADHD. Every kid (19-23 or so...you know, college age) at the college practically has a tattoo or two, their eyebrow pierced, their tongue pierced, their belly button pierced.....and that is of the body part visible in a college setting.

[misty]

Good point, Puzzled.

Shannon always says she wants a tattoo. Of course, I told her she needs to be at least 18. She chooses one she wants & then months later she changes her mind & wants a different one. I remind her that if she had gotten the one she wanted right away, she'd be stuck with it. I keep telling her she better choose wisely when the time comes, because a tattoo is pretty much permanent. I also talk to her about getting one thats easily covered up because she'll want to get a good job eventually & employers DO look at tattoos with disdain.

[jill]

What needs to be explained to teens and young adults is how tattoos look on a job interview, not professional. You can look as smart as can be and have the education to back you and go into an interview and if they are showing depending on the job will turn interviewers away. I used work with a guy who had body tattoos and wondered why he could not move up or move on to another job with a Masters in Social Work. Think about it would you want a caseworker coming to your home covered in tattoos and oh he had his nose, ear, lip, and tongue pierced too or a therapist talking to you. Mind you he is still in the same job complaining and whining I guess he does not get it yet what a turn off his appearance makes and he is a nice guy too.