Self-evaluation of ADD for teenager?

[sangtarah]

DD14 struggles with focusing, attending to a task, keeping up with tasks, paying attention to people speaking, being easily distracted by almost everything. She is hopelessly behind in our schoolwork. She has always been somewhat like this, but ages 12-13 saw definite improvement. But with the pandemic and a high school load of courses, she is lost. She came to me and wants a supplement or something to help her focus. She read about ADD in her health book and feels like it fits. 

She is also brilliantly imaginative, wonderfully creative, and has huge dreams for being an author. She has always thought deeply and with many words. She is a great artist. She is a logician. I hate to see her feeling bad about herself! 

So, any reliable self-evaluations for ADD? I downloaded the ASRS-v1.1 for adults, and she kinda fits, but I was hoping for one better tailored for teens. 

Any good supplements for her? She has a good multi-vitamin and takes extra D3. She also has Hashimoto's hypothyroidism, which has been treated since she was 6 (inherited). She won't try anything with caffeine.  

[vonfirmath]

14 minutes ago, sangtarah said:

DD14 struggles with focusing, attending to a task, keeping up with tasks, paying attention to people speaking, being easily distracted by almost everything. She is hopelessly behind in our schoolwork. She has always been somewhat like this, but ages 12-13 saw definite improvement. But with the pandemic and a high school load of courses, she is lost. She came to me and wants a supplement or something to help her focus. She read about ADD in her health book and feels like it fits. 

She is also brilliantly imaginative, wonderfully creative, and has huge dreams for being an author. She has always thought deeply and with many words. She is a great artist. She is a logician. I hate to see her feeling bad about herself! 

So, any reliable self-evaluations for ADD? I downloaded the ASRS-v1.1 for adults, and she kinda fits, but I was hoping for one better tailored for teens. 

Any good supplements for her? She has a good multi-vitamin and takes extra D3. She also has Hashimoto's hypothyroidism, which has been treated since she was 6 (inherited). She won't try anything with caffeine.  

We were recommended and tried Omega-3s for our son before going to something else.

 

[PeterPan]

Tryptophan is a precursor to (I forget) and technically will work. It’s a methyl donor so fine for some people and a problem for others. Does she have anxiety? She’d learn more if she got proper evals with a psych. 
 

What you’re describing needs prescription meds btw. Only tryptophan will come close and even then it won’t be the same.

Edited January 27, 2021 by PeterPan

[Tanaqui]

Is there a reason you won't take her to be formally evaluated and try medication and perhaps therapy with somebody who specializes in ADHD? Because if you don't want her to feel bad about herself, that's the route I advise you to take.

[gardenmom5]

There isn't a reliable one line form.  Even if there was - self-identifying isn't going to get her a prescription drug to help ADD.  That would require a professional evaluation.  ADD drugs are tightly controlled, and primary care doctors (at least in my state) aren't allowed to prescribe them.  There are non-stimulant drugs that can be prescribed off-label that can be helpful.  (e.g. intuniv)  It wasn't quite as helpful as dudeling needed, and we ended up at a pediatric neurologist.  (he's had a full professional work-up.)

CAPD is also a possibility.  These issues are often worsened by the hormones of puberty.  That's diagnosed by an audiologist.  there are treatments, but not many.

we're currently trying vagus nerve stimulation.  - there are things you can do yourself, but using a vagus nerve stimulator is faster.

[Farrar]

There's no way to reliably self-diagnose. Anyone who tells you otherwise is incorrect. If this is really affecting her, you need to go get a formal evaluation and the right supports.

If this arose only during the pandemic, it's probably situational. If it has always been there, but she's always been able to cope with it and the pandemic is just making it worse... well, then maybe it's ADD. Or not. Lots of learning issues can look a bit like ADD. You need an expert to know.

Regardless of what's up, some of the techniques that people use when they have ADD may be beneficial for her. Focusing tricks are useful for lots of people.

[aaplank]

I recommend Dr. Daniel Amen's book Healing A.D.D. as well as his website.

Lots of information about the different types of A.D.D., treatment options, supplements and optimal diets. 

[JumpyTheFrog]

On 1/27/2021 at 4:31 PM, gardenmom5 said:

we're currently trying vagus nerve stimulation.  - there are things you can do yourself, but using a vagus nerve stimulator is faster.

Can you tell us more about this? What does the device do?

[katilac]

If college is potentially in her future, she needs to start pursuing a formal dx now if she wants accommodations later (for ACT and college). You should also take note of any accommodations you make for her in her schoolwork - and take a look at common accommodations before you assume you aren't making any.