dd13 newly diagnosed adhd and anxiety - please tell me positive stories -

[lola71]

DD developed terrible anxiety in the last few months , she only manages to get into school 3/4 times a week, self harmed for a while and has enormous meltdowns where she seems to have been taken over by the devil.. Cahms thinks she has adhd traits. Having read about it, she clearly does. She sees the Cahms clinical psychologist on Monday. Beside therapy, will they be offering her medication? My biggest fear is that she becomes one of those girls who develops a full blown school phobia.

I am just wondering what her future looks like....

It's very scary when a child receives a diagnosis - even if you've suspected their medical condition.

You are likely to be offered ADHD medication. Generally you'll start with a very low dose and gradually build up. Her response to the medication will be monitored to see what effect it has.

DD14 takes Medikinet and although not a miracle drug for us it does help her feel calmer and able to concentrate more.

A diagnosis is generally also useful to help other people understand her behaviour more. Since being diagnosed people are generally much more understanding and tolerant of DD. I can explain an adjustment in the normal school routine that will help her and I'm listened to rather than regarded as a fussy parent.

My daughter was diagnosed with ADHD at 14. She had a horrible time at school, was bullied, had anxiety and was suicidal. We home schooled for 9 months (in my mind I just wanted her to feel safe and secure without the anxiety and pressure of school). Much to my surprise she became more confident during the 9 months of home schooling, she then got Methyphenidate for her ADHD. She decided she wanted to go back to school for her final year. I was really unsure about it but she was adamant, and said she was taking no shit from anyone anymore. She was like a different person when she went back and actually loved her final year at school. She’s now in her 2nd year of college, has loads of friends, a part time job, a boyfriend, is very confident and loving life. I never could have imagined this when she was anxious and crying at 14.

I'm not saying home schooling is the answer. But if she can only manage school 3 times a week at the moment then go with it. She needs to know you are there for her, that nothing is so bad it can’t be sorted. I got to the point where I didn’t care about how many GCSEs my daughter got, just that she was ok mentally. The medication definitely helps with her focus and I wonder if she was diagnosed and medicated earlier if her school years would have been better. I know this time is horrible for you as her parent, but know that she can have a bright future ahead of her and be happy.

Thankyou, thankyou!!! More please!!!

So glad to have found this thread.
I'm at the beginning of the journey.
I have had to beg the school to refer my daughter for assessments.
The SENCO lead said, she teaches my daughter & she doesn't see a problem.

This Despite, my daughter only at 50% attendance this year,
Having huge anxiety around going to school, masks very well,but due to not really understanding the world is all shades of grey, will have fall outs with groups of friends as quickly as she makes them.
They placed her in an anxiety workshop. But she worked herself up &, wouldn't attend.. she was scared of getting the answers wrong.

The melt downs at home are extreme (I've had to replace 2 doors this month, spend a small fortune in filler from holes in walls The way she speaks.. I really don't get where she has learnt it or why she thinks it's OK.

But OK.. Mrs Senco.. she has a touch of anxiety?!

The last time she left the house was 2 weeks ago.. it's a struggle to get her to walk the dog.
I'm terrified of what her future is looking like.

She masks fairly well out of the house. But if you really look at her you can see she doesn't understand a lot of what is going on around her. I think starting college this year, has been so traumatic her mask as slipped a few times & she can't deal with it anymore.

I have a meeting with school this week.
& I need to write a cover letter explaining about meltdowns at home etc for reasons why i want this referral.
She had results from her mocks (the ones she attended) it was 2 or 3. Again the senco answer was.. it's not too much off a 5?!
At the moment I just want her MH improved I'm worried she's getting agoraphobia on top everything else. (Hence the not leaving the house)

I wish I could pin point something anything that could explain why she is struggling so much. But it seems to be just who she is.