ADHD / ADD Support Group
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and attention deficit disorder (ADD) are more common than you might think. It is a syndrome that exhibits symptoms such as hyperactivity, forgetfulness, mood shifts, poor impulse control, and distractibility. Join others who suffer from these conditions and share your experiences.
She was diagnosed yesterday. Does anyone have any suggestions or advice that they want to share? Obviously, I'm new to this and don't know where to start. I don't plan on medicating her yet. I want to see if it can be controlled without meds.
Any help will be very appreciated! Thanks!
Any help will be very appreciated! Thanks!
Keep an open mind about medication. We all start off against it, but many of us have seen first-hand what a life-changing difference it can make.
Its alot to take in nd adjust to, I am still learning everyday...
Medication is our only choice right now to help our son with adhd & tic disorder...
ADD is very controversial and although headway has been made over the years you will still encounter people who do not believe that it exists. Be careful to whom you release that information to, as some may not accept it welcomely. My 3rd grade teacher with 28 years of experience was the one who suggested that I be tested. After being diagnosed she worked with myself and my parents using a system to control my behavior, it worked very well. The next year in fourth grade my parents informed my new teacher about my ADD and she happened to be one of the people who did not think ADD existed. We struggled through the year with her not accommodating or even making an effort to help me succeed in her classroom.
The other thing you must remember when sorting through all of this is being able to see ADD in a positive light. It's something that I dealt with my whole life just as your daughter will. There are times when I get so fed up with myself even now at 24 years old. I've learned how to use my ADD towards being successful. People with ADD are often very bright and creative giving them the ability to think outside the box. Also many people with ADD are energetic and outgoing, never a bad thing in today's fast paced world. I work in the fields of communications and marketing using this trait to my advantage everyday.
Over the years we have experimented with different treatments from therapy, to medication. There have been fails and victories all along the way. When I was younger I watched how my ADD effected my behavior and school work, now as an adult I see how it affects other parts of my life like relationships and keeping a household. If you have any questions please feel free to send me a message I would be happy to answer any questions you might have.
Mindi
I survived in school, all the way to my second year of University, but it came at a price. I had to struggle and claw my way through those years, every day was another little war of not being good enough. I have serious anxiety and depression problems because of that.
When I failed every third-year course I tried to do for three semesters in a row, I finally sought help. I didn't tell my mother anything about it. I told my dad, and he told her without giving me any warning, and I wound up stuck in a car with her for an hour while she drove me home for the weekend. It was a miserable nightmare which I still haven't forgiven my father for.
What I'm trying to say it, I am so glad that you're supporting your daughter on this journey. It's a rough one, so she's really going to need you. She's going to need everyone she can get supporting and encouraging her. I'm begging you to be open-minded about medication. I fought against it myself for a long time, because my mother made me feel like I'd somehow be admitting a terrible weakness, a failure, if I gave in and sought help, but I'm so glad I overcame that, that I realised what a brave thing I was doing.
The creativity and intelligence boost which comes with ADD got me through Primary School and High School, but I hated every single day of it, I came out of it scarred and damaged, and I spend every day wishing I could have been diagnosed and medicated earlier. It would be so much easier now for me to not hate myself, to forgive myself for my shortcomings. I don't want your daughter to struggle miserably through her schooling the way I had to.
We medicate our daughter now, and the medication combined with the diet works wonders. She's getting good grades in school, she has no behavioral problems and she's learning how to reel herself in when she gets frustrated.
Good Luck.
I'm new to this forum but have an 8 year old that was formally diagnosed with inattentive ADD at the age of 6. I was flabbergasted because I never struggled in school. The first thing I learned is that as a parent, you need to be your child's constant advocate. No one will know them and love them more than you do and your instincts will guide you right. You will need to go to bat with the school, be upfront with every teacher and most of all (and hardest of all) be PATIENT with your child. This is the very hardest part for me. I struggle with and try hard to protect my daughter from the competition that kids experience in these middle grades. It's so easy to be bullied or to hurt their self esteem. Find things your daughter does well and enhance and encourage them. Help her find a way to be different because she will never be the same as 'everybody else' and the sooner she's okay with that, the more confident she will be. Good luck and hugs!
We just bought a new house and she has made it a point to trash her room every night. She says she is happy with the move because we now have a yard and she made friends in the neighborhood. She does not respect anything around her. She leaves trash wherever it falls, leaves her clothes and shoes the same way.
She has been on Focaline which was working but seems to have tapered off. Just need help in how to begin the task of getting her back on track so that she and those around her can be happy again. I want her to be happy and not to struggle with this condition but I feel like we have taken 2 steps back.