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Original poster

ADHD

79 replies

catscratcher · 03/01/2023 22:55

NC for this one.

Following on from another thread that I didn't want to derail, I wanted to ask.

Those of you who have ADHD - what did it look like when you were 13? Trying to navigate school, friends, homework, keeping your room tidy, etc.

Strongly suspect DD13 has ADHD, but would love some real life examples of how it presents in teenagers (specifically girls if possible).

We've spoken to the GP, and she thinks it's more like an anxiety issue. I suspect the anxiety is from the undiagnosed ADHD. Any advice gratefully welcomed, as things are spiralling...

TIA!

OP posts:

legalbeagleneeded · 18/06/2023 11:33

Mine is diagnosed. 14. She is really disorganised, talks over people, gets cross if you don't give her 100% of attention. Often falls out with friends over percieved slights. Dresses slightly oddly. Won't go to bed. Gets up late. Argumentative, doesn't try to fit in. Cracks knuckles and neck obsessively despite being told not to.

She has lots of positive attributes too though!

ListofSpades · 18/06/2023 11:56

Forgot the cracks knuckles and neck obsessively! Actually seems to have “grown out” of the knuckles one. Yes, very argumentative. Would argue day was night!

What are yours good qualities? You seem to be quite clear.

BodegaSushi · 18/06/2023 14:04

ListofSpades · 18/06/2023 11:25

I don’t think ADHD is so easy to spot in younger children (though maybe some signs). After all, lots of young children are high energy, a bit clumsy, etc.

The teen years were when things went downhill fast for my son. Always late for school. Homework rarely done (he absolutely hated it in primary school and would cry). The increased level of admin, need for choices going into early adulthood has been really hard for him (and for me by proxy). He’s often chaotic and messy, eats rubbish food on the run (though actually a good cook when he bothers).

Absolutely agree. I did well in primary school. Completely fell apart in secondary school (think about it, you have to now create and manage your own routine), and been downhill ever since 😂

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13 year olds

WhatsitallaboutAlfie1 · 06/01/2024 16:49

Our DD was palmed off by CAMHS and a private psychiatrist at first. They said it was anxiety and depression. We sought out an ADHD specialist psychiatrist (privately) and she was diagnosed quickly and medicated. Sadly this was mid A levels by which time she had struggled for so long, she was exhausted/disillusioned and quit school. We can't encourage her back into education currently and she has done a few (failed) internships. Symptoms were: Never wanting to do homework or actually doing it (though she said she was in her room), very erratic sleep, exhaustion after school, endless friendship dramas, chaotic planning (packing for school trips etc/never handing over school notes or messages), excess eating (to point of binge - which we did seek NHS support for and where our concentrations sadly went. We didn't think there was a bigger picture and neither did the GP), incredibly messy bedroom (still is), no sense of time. HTH.

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