16 year old with anxiety, newly diagnosed with ADHD inattentive - seeking advice

[kaf2022]

I've searched through new and old posts and haven't really read much to address teens. My 16 year old son was diagnosed with generalized anxiety in 3rd grade. It started as irrational worries about things such as storms but as he got older it became more peer related. He saw a psychologist for several years to learn about anxiety and coping skills, no meds. He was an all A student, occasional B in math, until 8th grade. I noticed a few more B's at the end of 8th grade year. I noticed a decline in test grades, not in class grades. Not one teacher has ever complained about his behavior, he's quiet and behaved in school. He did ok socially, doesn't make friends easily and is awkward, and still a lot of worries. Now at 16 it is solely social anxiety - worries about what peers think of him, losing friends, being alone. During first semester of 9th grade his social anxiety worsened and we hesitantly started him on low dose Paxil. We all noticed a positive change, less anxious talk and behaviors. We were all happy that he felt better. He said he was more talkative at school and less fearful. However, his grades worsened quite a bit - had his first C first quarter, more B's, C's and a D in math last quarter. He seems very unmotivated to study at all, but he's more overwhelmed so he just avoids doing it. He is not in the wrong crowd, using drugs or anything like that. But we're devastated and it's been so hard to watch such a smart, promising student begin to fail. One teacher mentioned that she was not able to get him to focus. That triggered thoughts of ADHD. We've always noticed that we often have to tell him to do things more than once, he's forgetful, often day dreaming like behavior, but we attributed it to anxiety and his grades were great.

I started reading and identified his lack of Executive functioning skills and the greater demands for organizing and planning in 9th grade that he didn't have before. So, we had him tested for ADHD last month and he has moderate ADHD, inattentive type. He's still on Paxil, 10 mg. Next week we meet with the Psychiatrist and will discuss meds to help him with the ADHD. I've read everything possible, it feels like, about available meds - but my head is spinning. My son is worried about having to go off of the Paxil. I'm worried about him being on two or more meds as well as a stimulant. I'm looking for some insight about meds for both anxiety and ADHD at the same time and for some success stories!!

Sorry for long post, grateful to have found this forum though.

[Onthemove1971]

KAF2022- You have come to the right place. There are parents with kids that are 25 on the site. It’s great that you have chosen to see a psychiatrist. This is definitely the right Specialist for you guys. As far as any medication trial, they will let you guys try things to see if it the right for him. Please don’t worry about him taking 2 different types of medication, if that is the right type, dose and timing you will see a whole new child. He will really be able to help with this process.

Yes, our son has to take one than one type of medication, but I understand why. One is to help him focus and one is to decrease the impulsive behavior. Before is was like he was less impulsive but couldn’t focus. So we trust the Specialist and we are doing so well...

I would also suggest that you seek an educational plan to help with the assignments and tests. Our son has a study skills class with a teacher who helps him learn study skills and assists with coordination of tests and assignments. He gives up having an elective to have this class, but it was the best thing we ever did.

One last thing to consider, having him see a therapist to help him have a place to discuss things.

Hope this helps, it is so hard to see our kids struggle..

Take care

[Eclecticentric77]

Hi there, I have Inattentive ADHD myself and struggled heavily in middle school and early high school. Unfortunately there is a major drop in levels of neurotransmitters, including the reward system, when someone goes through puberty and goes further into adolescence. This causes a multitude of problems for the individual, and I absolutely hated school because of it.

In my 4yrs of research of ADHD, I have seen time and time again how the stimulant medication Adderall, seems to work much better than other stimulant medications for those of us with Inattentive ADHD, there are exceptions of course. I myself take a very low dose of Adderall 2x a day. Unfortunately taking stimulant medication only helps the brain with the neurotransmitters Dopamine and Norepinephrine. That is helpful, but this still disregards the other neurotransmitters we have issues with. Like Serotonin for example, low levels of this neurotransmitter cause anxiety, feelings of sadness, unease, and depression. A good strategy plan when it comes to supplements and ADHD, should include aiming to help the brain with the specific neurotransmitters that give us the most trouble due to their low levels. The following neurotransmitters need be addressed.

Dopamine : A neurotransmitter in the brain that affects your levels of concentration, motivation, pleasure senses, and sense of pain.

Norepinephrine : A neurotransmitter and stress hormone that deals with attentiveness, emotions, impulse control, planning ahead, sleep, and interpreting actions of others.

Serotonin : A neurotransmitter that deals with mood regulation, sleep, nervousness, empathy, appetite, digestion, and sexual urges.

Acetylcholine : A neurotransmitter that deals with muscle contraction, pain responses, mood regulation, REM sleep, and coordination.

if you click my profile pic, it will take you to my profile, where in my bio you'll see theres a link of a google doc I made of every supplement I take that includes ones specifically to help those low neurotransmitters I mentioned above. It mentions what grocery stores and online stores (Amazon has all of these supplements a lot cheaper than markets like Sprouts and Whole Foods) sell these supplements, and some information about each of the supplements and how they help out people with ADHD, in case you're interested. I have researched ADHD for over 4yrs now and have published a book about Inattentive ADHD. I also have links to a lifespan video series on Inattentive ADHD to better help understand this rarer type of ADHD. I am currently finishing up Grad School and am going on to obtain my Doctorate - PsyD. as a Clinical Psychologist, in order order to work with the ADHD community primarily. I hope some of this helps.

[Cjkchamp]

I’m recommending you look into broad spectrum micronutrients. My son is ADHD and he has some anxiety. We’ve tried several medications and had success with broad spectrum micronutrients which are monitored by his psychiatrist. I also recommended them to a friend whose teenage son suffers from anxiety and adhd. She indicated he has also improved since beginning them. Two companies to look at....True Hope and Hardy Nutritionals. Good luck to you!

[anirush]

Both of my teenage grandsons are on 3 different medications. One deals majorly with anxiety the other one with depression. They are both on intuniv a non stimulant , for at their ADHD. One could never do stimulants and the other one they stopped working for in middle school.

The one with anxiety is on risperidone, the one with depression is on Welbutrin.

It's a hard decision to medicate but not doing well is harder on their selfesteem.