Hello! My child was recently diagnosed with inattentive ADHD along with major depression and anxiety.
Our biggest struggles right now are motivation and how to help them get assignments done in a timely manner (preferably on time, however we are shooting for simply completing before the deadline of it no longer being accepted).
My child is not currently on medication for the ADHD, diagnosis has been in the last couple weeks. I am getting in touch with psychiatrists this week to make an appointment. So any good results you have had with meds would be helpful information as well.
If anyone has any tips I would greatly appreciate them. Feeling overwhelmed at this point…
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SwimOn
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Hello. Ds has inattentive and has been on meds for two years. He has lots of anxiety mainly social, we are not currently treating for that. He is 12. I guess my other messages on this tell the story but essentially went from a complete inability to start or finish any work at school within a lesson to two weeks after meds being told by the teacher he was a completely different child. Now in top set for all streamed subjects. So far it’s been a life changer for him and us. Now I won’t say it’s easy and there is plenty of anxiety but he feels really good about himself so not depressed. We don’t use meds in holidays or weekends. I don’t see any change in his personality on the meds. I definitely for a second do not regret meds. He is on a stimulant medication.
If You don't want to do the NO MEDS THING.. Go find a CBD Pen Or Gummies.. I am allergic to marijuana!! my grandmother, my mom, myself and my daughter. my son has not tried it thank goodness.. But I have 2 CBD pens. 1 which is a lower does vape for just Incase my son steals it like he did the last time. The school called me and said your son has a blue vape pen, she said he hasn't really taken it out. they asked if I wanted it taken away. I said no. just tell him he needs to keep it in his pocket or it will need to be taken. Well teb teachers all said The did not have not a single issues with him on that day. I said well it could be bc he took puffs off of it. But Vaping (smoking is illegal for our under the age 21. So we have CBD Gummies.. TRUST ME you'll thank me later. just tell the store u need CBD ONLY not thx at all, if it has a tiny bit amount it won't hurt them gummies,. these gummies r yummy. You will see an attitude change.
Welcome, and know you are not alone in this. Our son was diagnosed similarly last fall in his sophomore year of high school. Finding a psychiatrist was for us, and for others I spoken to, a really important step to help determine support and treatment for AHDH and depression and what can be done simultaneously or sequentially with medication. Be prepared that finding the right medication mix is a journey (one we're still on here - but we do see it can help at least some). Know that it can also be a little challenging sometimes for a teen to fully notice and/or communicate how medications are working or not, but you (or teachers) may see some changes and the psychiatrist can help there.
From what we understand so far, working to develop new habits and systems that support the struggle to keep track of work and get it done is key and something that doesn't happen overnight. We found watching Seth Perler's free materials about executive function very helpful and ADHD dude videos also are informative. Sarah Ward also has solid executive functioning information which relates to the process of getting things done - or understanding the challenge. From what I understand, those with depression often treat that first, and if medication for ADHD helps with focus then that can help with self-esteem and therefore depression, so it's all related and very specific to the individual. Brains are like fingerprints, so it will take some time for each person to learn how their brain works and what medication and systems help them reach their goals.It's a process. Still on the learning journey ourselves, but wanted to share that we really feel and understand your feeling overwhelmed since there is no simple roadmap and no silver bullets and so much to learn and process.
It sounds like you are taking the right steps and for us the next step (probably should have been the first) is more parent training and self care (Debbie Reber-Tilt parenting helps a bit) I think figuring out how to take care of yourself, reduce the worry, reframe the issues, love and support them without over-helping are all part of the process here. That never-ending parenting line of knowing when you need to help or get help for them and when they can help themselves is tricky! Good coaches, counselors, tutors, teachers, doctors etc. can go a long way with teens too - they often don't want to hear advice from parents. Good luck and hope it helps to know we're all out here too. (And also swimming to cope! ; ) )
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