ADD and Teens

[MicheleB]

Can ADD first become noticeable in the teen years?

My 14yo dd did not use to struggle with concentration, focus, scheduling herself, etc. However, for about 1 1/2 years, she has struggled terribly in this area.

I will also say, she was dx with hypothyroidism during this time as well, but per her TSH she is 'under control.'

Any thoughts?

[WishboneDawn]

My ADD became much more noticable as a teen. It was always there but when the environment changed, when I couldn't get by on just my memory and such and had to really study or pay attention then things started coming apart. In some environments ADD can seem to disappear. In others it can be exagerated...or at least that's been my experience.

[NJKelli]

My ADD became much more noticable as a teen. It was always there but when the environment changed, when I couldn't get by on just my memory and such and had to really study or pay attention then things started coming apart. In some environments ADD can seem to disappear. In others it can be exagerated...or at least that's been my experience.

There's a lot of wisdom here.

My dd is also 14. We've had the same experience. It hit around 5th grade in ps when she couldn't just rely on memory anymore. There were more subjects, multi-step directions she was expected to follow independently, and more complexity over all. It caused a lot of anxiety for her. There were signs in earlier years but school work hadn't been a problem because she was bright and could compensate.

It's better that she's hsing, but now that she's in high school I really have to prioritize in my scheduling. This is my first time and there's definitely a learning curve, but I suspect she's not the only one in the family who will have this trouble so it's good that I'm learning what I can now. I'm thankful having these boards to glean from.

I would recommend a getting all the thyroid numbers checked when you get a chance and not just the TSH. With these types of issues it's always good to stay on top of the medical stuff and the nutritional aspects as well.

[Beth in OH]

It's not at all unusual for ADD to become more noticeable as a teen, especially for a girl. The book Delivered From Distraction, by Hallowell and Ratey, focuses on adult ADD and provides anecdotes that demonstrate this phenomenon. My dd began having pronounced issues at age 16 and wasn't diagnosed until 19--when she decided that she needed help. Now that I've become more educated, I look back and see that the ADD was there from early childhood, but I didn't recognize the symptoms.

Start educating yourself about how ADD presents itself differently in adolescents/adults, and how it is also different for girls. The above referenced authors are very credible (many books), and they also have a website. CHADD is an organization that also provides many resources on its website.

Pursue it now while your dd is fairly young. You may be able to head off some of the adolescent issues common with ADD if you're already addressing it.

Beth

Beth

[MicheleB]

Thank you all for the great advice. :)

Now that I think about it, I think I also may have some ADD. But in school I did *great* even though I rarely paid attention. But I was bright enough to realize exactly where the teacher was while I was day dreaming, and I could explain the material to myself. So it didn't affect me that way.

In college when I juggled some more things I received my first 'C's and I think it's because I couldn't focus on so many things at once. Now at 42, I find myself ALWAYS distracted and unable to follow a conversation of more than 30 seconds unless it's extremely riveting or I am doing something else at the same time.

So that makes sense with dd. I think I may have that book somewhere around here. I look into that.

Would you go to your regular doctor first to address the concerns? Her GP, while I really like her and she listens well, is against doing anything else for thyroid except TSH numbers. Or would you have dd 'formally' evaluated? If so, where?

[EKS]

It's not at all unusual for ADD to become more noticeable as a teen, especially for a girl.

This is what I understand as well. In fact, I think this happened to me.

[Beth in OH]

Would you go to your regular doctor first to address the concerns? Her GP, while I really like her and she listens well, is against doing anything else for thyroid except TSH numbers. Or would you have dd 'formally' evaluated? If so, where?

The Hallowell and Ratey book recommends diagnosing with a psychiatrist who is well versed in adolescent/adult ADD. If such a person isn't to be found, they recommend that even adults go to a child psychiatrist who handles ADD. I would suggest asking your regular Dr. for a referral, and then scheduling the psychiatrist appointment even if you're only barely considering it. It can sometimes take months to get in. Get on the waiting list and then cancel if you decide you want to take a different approach.

Because a psychiatrist understands the behavioral aspects of ADD as well as the medical (as well as other potential medical issues), he is in a great position to give you comprehensive information. For my dd, after the initial diagnosis, the psych became her medication manager, and she is now ready to begin working with a counselor (psychologist or LSW) to learn some cognitive coping strategies.

Some people begin with the behavioral psychologist/counselor for diagnosis and counseling, and then get a referral to the psychiatrist for medication if it's needed. In our situation, my dd was old enough (19) to know that she wasn't going to be able to modify her behavior until her brain chemistry was under control. We were able to speed up the process of getting well by beginning with meds.

Of course, if the psychiatrist route is cost prohibitive, by all means go to your regular Dr. I think it's in our dc's best interests to explore options with a professional, and while your regular Dr. won't be as comprehensive, it is still a good step to take.

Beth