My ADHD daughter struggles with friends

[Cherryblossom200]

Hi everyone,

My daughter is on the waitlist for ADHD diagnosis, but it's pretty obvious she has it.

She's lovely and I'm not just saying that because I'm biased!

Being a typical ADHD'er she's full of enthusiasm and energy. But she struggles socially especially in larger groups. Her friendships start off strong and then start to tail off. I think it's a two way thing, probably my DD's friends can find her a bit much at times - she can be overly sensitive and a chatter box! But she's been on lions mane which has helped settle her a lot.

I always see her on the outskirts of social groups, I think the people who she thinks are her friends - just sort of put up with her but don't really value her as a friend. I can see it, but she can't.

I try and help heed navigate social situations but I just see the same narrative take place each time. Her friends lose interest, or she's the friend people go too when they have no one else to play with.

It's heartbreaking. She's only 9 and I worry so much about her future, especially in secondary school. Her poor self esteem is going to be torn to shreds. I'm not even sure a main stream school is the right place for her anymore 🥲

My daughter is the same, but she’s 11, and her friendships are almost non-existent now. Girls get bitchier and bitchier the older they get and it becomes nigh on impossible for those who aren’t neurotypical to fit in. My daughter is immature and silly and often hyper and makes lots of goofy silly choices, whereas by her age in Year 7 most of the girls are entering the mini-teen stage and it’s all lip gloss and hair swishing and withering stares. They all act like they’re 15 and she acts like she’s 7. We are seeking an EHCP and once we’ve secured it I’ll get her out of mainstream as it has battered her self esteem so much. Primary was fine but the minute she entered Year 5, everything changed.

@Cherryblossom200 if you happen to have found this message I really want to hear from you on an update re your how your dd s getting on with the Lion s mane powder.

My teenager dd has attention problems since she was little and then she developed extreme anxiety in secondary school and only until recently she was diagnosed with adhd symptoms (not yet fully confirmed). She never displayed any antisocial behaviors so I believe she is likely to try CBT initially rather than meds. I too have read from other sources that some people found lions mane helpful though not everyone.

It's been transformative, a life saver. Without it she wouldn't be able to cope so well when dealing with situations out of her comfort zone, school etc.

It's been beyond brilliant with us and love that it's all natural. I cannot recommend it enough.

We use the powder form. She has half a tea spoon on the morning before school. Then at lunch the school gives her l-theanine, which is another supplement and that covers her for the afternoon.

We cope well without transitional adhd medication.

@Cherryblossom200 thanks for the quick update. So she only used Lion s mane in the morning in the first few months? May I ask why the need to add another supplement L-theanine? Was because the lions mane wears out after a few hours?

Hi,

She's been using it since around April daily.
The lions mane lasts approximately 4 hours or so, and the l-theanine covers lunchtime and afternoon. She doesn't really need it for home. Make sure you buy l-theanine for kids. I just use a normal brand lions mane.

Many thanks

@Cherryblossom200 thanks for sharing.

My hyper yr5 10 year old is now medicated. Elvanse didn't suit but she is fab on methylnate xl 40mg she's her lovely hyper self after school as it works 8 hours. She won't eat on her meds hence why elvanse didn't suit she lost to much weight. Def need meds as she wasn't coping from an emotional regulation perspective and was hurting people when she was angry. Any how she's never had friends when she does she hyperfocuses then drops them and they don't like it and make her more angry as they keep asking what they did wrong. She finds boys less stressful and playing football or anything with boys as they are less dramatic. She has no friends at all despite meds and I think this is because she now has a name for herself as the emotionally unstable child who will.thump you or kick of for no reason. Such a shame as she is lovely and now she is medicated this doesn't happen (until 4pm) roll on when concerta becomes available again!

You may not see this but I am keen to try my 12 year old ADHD daughter on lions mane. Really for focus and mood. I need to use gummies as she wont try any thing else. What brand do you use? I keep seeing for adults only! thanks :)

Hey!

I use Kiki health organic lions mane which is fab. It was recommended by my local independent health food shop by a lady whom has ADHD herself.

I use the powder and mix into a drink and she can't taste it.

I think I've got some form of ADHd as well, so for the last month I've been taking half a teaspoon in the morning. Wow, my focus is amazing and I have no anxiety. I get my work done and just seem to breeze through the hectic mornings. I can't recommend it enough.