Girls with ADD

AXO_MOM_3 · #1 11-24-2003, 12:25 AM

Just curious as to how many women have Attention Deficit Disorder out there...it seems it is diagnosed much less frequently for girls than boys. Would love to know more about coping skills, what works etc and if you take/have ever taken any medication for it. I think my eldest daughter has it! You can pm me if you want! Thanks!

Kevin · #2 11-24-2003, 12:32 AM

I'd never recommend self-diagnosing something like this. ADHD is something that is so often incorrectly diagnosed. My advice would be to take her to a child psychologist -- one that specializes in ADHD. Be careful, many of them are quick to diagnose and medicate as well.

I am ADHD and personally would push the coping route more than the medication route. I was/am a pretty severe case. Early in HS, I decided that medication for life was not the answer to my problems.

You're right about the diagnosis thing. I recall hearing a figure back in the day that 15% of males were thought to have this condition where only 1% of females did. I think we're quickly finding those numbers are a little closer together.

Good luck!

absolutuscchick · #3 11-24-2003, 01:01 AM

I have ADD...and no I can't just cope and deal with it...In fact that's part of the reason that I am taking this semester and next semester off from school....still trying to find something that works!! I've been on every drug pretty much.....but theres definitely alot of options out there....I'll keep you updated on what drug works for me...I'm going to try out some meds this winter!!

Kristin AGD · #4 11-24-2003, 01:36 AM

Girls don't have the same symptoms of add that boys do. Girls with ADD are often misdiagnosed with depression. There is a lot out there on internet to help sort that out. But make sure to read about add and girls. Not just about ADHD. Then take your information to your doctor.

AGDee · #5 11-24-2003, 07:35 AM

I'm not sure how old your daughter is, but I brought up the possibility of my son having ADHD with his teacher at Parent Teacher conferences this year and she filled out Copeland's checklist for me. I am to fill out one also and then take them to the pediatrician to see what he thinks. From what she filled out, I don't think he'll be diagnosed.. he's just an extremely bright, bored, creative and impulsive little guy.

Dee

Lisa Fishman · #6 11-24-2003, 09:39 AM

I have attention deficit disorder, but not the hyperactive kind (known as ADHD). Mine is more of the inattentive kind, there is a difference between the two. People who have ADHD can learn how to use their hyperactivity positivily as they become adults. usually, they can come off of medications and cope. People who have innatentive ADD will usually need to stay on their medication for the rest of their lives. For example, if I skip a day without my medication I am just as ADD as before my medication was prescribed to me.

Dionysus · #7 11-24-2003, 01:57 PM

Diagnosed in 8th grade...which was way too late. I have the combined type-both inattentive and hyperactive. Most females have the inattentive type or, like me, a mild combined type. Many females don't get a diagnosis because of the myth that you have to be hyperactive in order to have ADD. I have mixed feelings about meds. I agree with Lisa, I think it's more neccessary for the inattentive kind.

Get more than one professional opinon if you think your daughter has it.

ZTABullwinkle · #8 11-24-2003, 03:53 PM

I wasn't diagnosed with ADD till I was 29! You are right, it has become common that women are not diagnosed till adulthood. I am still trying to learn to cope with it. I don't have the hyperactivity with it. You definitely need to have a doctor to diagnose it though.

Lisa Fishman · #9 11-24-2003, 08:47 PM

For more information, you might want to read a book called "Understanding Girls with AD/HD" by Kathleen Nadeau. There is also a book called "Women With ADD" by Sari Solden. These are both excellent books to try.

AXO_MOM_3 · #10 11-25-2003, 01:25 AM

Thanks everyone! This helps tremendously! Will keep you all posted on what we find out. I think she may fall in the inattentive bracket - we can be talking directly to her, she's nodding her head like she is listening, and five minutes later cannot remember a thing about the conversation. I don't think she is hyperactive. She is forgetful, messy and disorganized. We really started noticing it this year when somewhere between the time we do homework in the afternoon (when she remembers the necessary books) and time to turn it in the next morning, her homework gets lost. She also makes lots of little careless mistakes when doing her work, as though she is only halfway paying attention to what she is doing. Anyway, I suppose we will talk to someone about it further. Would you recommend starting with the school, pediatrician or a psychiatrist? Thanks all!

absolutuscchick · #11 11-25-2003, 02:06 AM

Start with a psychiatrist in my opinion...often time schools really aren't that helpful (in my experience). Also, pediatricians generally aren't as knowledgable about psychiatric conditions as a psychiatrist is. While they may be able to identify the condition, they will not neccessarily know about the newest drugs for ADD/ADHD as they have about a bazillion different areas that they must be updated on. A psychiatrist, on the other hand will be up to date and aware of any new medicines and can help you to find a medicine with the least negative side effects for you.
However, I would suggest going to your pediatrician for the name of a psychiatrist, or if you have a friend you could ask, but definitely don't just choose any psychiatrist without a reccomendation because there are definitely alot of quacks out there (for example, my psychiatrist in Los Angeles was completely inept and did not understand how dosing works with certain drugs like straterra, causing many problems that ultimately left me taking last spring semester off)

Hope everything works out!!

Lisa Fishman · #12 11-25-2003, 09:06 AM

I agree with Rachael. A psyschiatrist would be the way to go. I would get recomendations first.

Celestia*Shine · #13 01-06-2004, 12:00 AM

Just wanted to see if there was an update with your daughters situation?? I am curious because I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was 18, and still struggle with the symptoms to this day. I definately learned alot from being ADHD and the challenges that it brings. I was failing out of high school, and nearly didn't graduate. I was diagnosed late my senior year. My Mom was a prof at the local college so she pulled some strings and got me in. To make a long story short, with the right combination of meds and therapy with a therapist for years I graudated in the top of my class and I am now in graduate school working towards my doctoral degree in psychology. Learning strategies to cope and deal with some of my symptoms was key. Let me know if I can be of any help!

Colonist · #14 01-06-2004, 12:35 AM

I know a ton of people with ADD and ADHD its a joke its a matter of willpower and nothing more.

WhirlwindTNX · #15 01-06-2004, 01:26 AM

You know I don't have a problem with people who have ADD or ADHD, but as long as they take their meds. And I know some may not take them because they could have sideffects, but what about people who stop taking them for no reason. Like one of my sisters right now has ADHD and she is constantly on and off her meds. She also falls back on ADHD whenever people look at her like she's crazy. She blames it on the condition, and then admits she ran out of meds.

How would you guys deal with that? I can be really forward at times, and I don't want to hurt her feelings because she is my friend. But, I can't take it sometimes. I don't think anyone should fall back on their condition when they don't even take them for a lame reason. I just don't know how to tell her.