Places to inform myself about ADD?

[Drascin]

I'm not usually one to ask for things, but I need someone to point me in the right direction.

You see, I have a little sister. This little sister has been developing a very serious problem paying attention - she doesn't notice it when you talk to her half of the time, she spaces out while doing things (she has reached the point of almost peeing herself because she spaces out while she's going to the bathroom at times), she blurts out things totally at random and loses the thread of her speech, and lately we've been getting notes from the teachers to the effect of "She just doesn't pay attention at all" as well. My parents and me are starting to get a bit worried, and wondering whether she could have a case of ADD. But we don't want to go to the doctor yet (because around here, the first thing a doctor tells you when you tell him a kid might have any kind of deficit disorder is giving you the prescription drugs without looking much at the kid), not until we're sure she's showing enough signs.

But we have no idea where to look for info, and possible ways to help her. Any ideas?

[Jack Squat]

Here's some on it (http://www.helpguide.org/mental/adhd_add_signs_symptoms.htm)

I have a problem with how many parents write off children's behavior as ADHD or ODD, but most of it's just being a kid. However, it seems like your sister may have it*. You never mentioned her age, that may make some difference.

*I'm not medically certified in any way, while I have done a good bit of research on the subject, I'm nowhere near a substitute for a real doctor or psychiatrist. Go see one of them.

[Haruki-kun]

Hi, there. ADHD here.

It's better that if you do take her to a doctor, that it be a specialist, hopefully one who treats kids often. Prescription drugs are in my opinion not exactly necessary, but it's always good to hear opinions. I'm against them, considering I had to learn to take pills at the age of three, but when they're needed, they're needed.

ADD and ADHD are not really a terrible, unsolvable problem. Sometimes people just approach it the wrong way. What worked for me was switching schools, given that I was going to one of the more traditional "kids wear nice lcothes and shoes, sit, and behave", where it was impossible for me to move or do anything at all. New school was a lot more free.

If you do consider having her switch schools (which is not always a bad choice, IMHO), look around for one that has a councilor or principal, or a few teachers who know how to deal with children with ADD. Your sister will probably find it a lot easier if this is the case.

[dish]

How about starting with google? (My search focused on the UK, but I'm sure you can also find similar resources in other countries.)

Addis (http://www.addiss.co.uk/) are a British charity focusing on ADD/ADHD who provide resources such as a factsheet (http://www.addiss.co.uk/adhd.htm) and some commonly asked questions (http://www.addiss.co.uk/commonquestions.htm). Another charity: Mind (focusing on all aspect of mental health) also have a factsheet (http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Booklets/Understanding/Understanding+ADHD.htm). There are webpages (http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealthinfo/mentalhealthandgrowingup/5adhdhyperkineticdisorder.aspx) produced by trusted medical sources such as the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

Adders (http://www.adders.org/) is an online support group with a very detailed 'information' section.
And here's an American/international charity for ADD/ADHD - Chadd (http://www.chadd.org/) which also provides a lot of information.

[smellie_hippie]

You can probably find some 'free evaluations' to get a feel for where she might rank on an ADD or ADHD scale. Check websites with ADD or DSMIV-tr in the title for officials diagnosis information.

A couple of few things to help with improving focus.

1. Make eye contact
2. Make single requests at a time
3. eliminate as many distractions as possible (TV, stereo, open windows...)
4. consistency, consistency, consistency (routines help establish unconscious patterns)
5. be patient and understanding

[Krrth]

Be warned...If she does have ADHD, be on the look out for something called Executive Function Disorder
Link :http://www.minddisorders.com/Del-Fi/Executive-function.html

It basically means that there will be some...issues with planning and time managment, and social interaction.


As someone with ADHD, I can tell you that while not everyone needs medicine, those who do *need* it.

[Castaras]

Pediatrician would help. Certainly helped me for my Aspergers, and my little brother for problems he's been having. I'd recommend against doctors however. It's so much better for the kid if they learn to cope with it with as little medication as possible. While it can be useful short term, if used regularly, it can cause longterm problems. As in, it'll make her problems worse, thus needing more meds, thus making it worse, needing more meds, etc. etc.

But yeah. If she does need the medication, then a Pediatrician will be able to tell you. =)

[Poison_Fish]

I'll echo the sentiments of looking for a specialist. Unless you feel you have a very trustworthy doctor, but to often general practitioners have so much to keep in their head they might not be as useful as a specialist. Be it giving or not giving medication.

[Krrth]

A GP isn't supposed to prescribe most of the ADD medications...that takes a specialist. They may refer you to one....but be wary of one who gives a diagnosis of ADHD without tests and specialists being involved.

[Drascin]

Many thanks for all the responses!

Jack Squat, Dish, many thanks for the links - I'll go in there and start translating for my parents.

As for the medical help... yes, that is indeed the problem. We'd need a specialist, because standard doctors around here are on the custom of giving out a lot of meds whether they're needed or not (the fault for that most likely lies on the patients, however - one of my nurse friends mentioned me that a few times she's seen doctors yelled at for not prescribing anything to an ill man). But we're not sure whether the specialist to go to should be a psychiatrist, a psychologist, or what.

Also, Krrth, I'd be pretty willing to bet that if she does have anything, it will be more heading to simple ADD than ADHD (because the whole "hyperactivity" descriptor on that one just... well, let's just say it's not applicable to her :smalltongue:), but I'll look at your link nonetheless.

Oh, and for those mentioning age - she's six, will be seven in January.

[Krrth]

Many thanks for all the responses!

Jack Squat, Dish, many thanks for the links - I'll go in there and start translating for my parents.

As for the medical help... yes, that is indeed the problem. We'd need a specialist, because standard doctors around here are on the custom of giving out a lot of meds whether they're needed or not (the fault for that most likely lies on the patients, however - one of my nurse friends mentioned me that a few times she's seen doctors yelled at for not prescribing anything to an ill man). But we're not sure whether the specialist to go to should be a psychiatrist, a psychologist, or what.

Also, Krrth, I'd be pretty willing to bet that if she does have anything, it will be more heading to simple ADD than ADHD (because the whole "hyperactivity" descriptor on that one just... well, let's just say it's not applicable to her :smalltongue:), but I'll look at your link nonetheless.

Oh, and for those mentioning age - she's six, will be seven in January.

Just FYI...they changed the terminology a few years back. There is no more ADD..officially, it's just ADHD.
I don't have the hyperactivity myself, but a recent class on the Executive Disfunction really rang a bell for me.

[Oregano]

I'd take her to a specialist as well, because it might not be ADD, it could be some other things.

I'm no expert but I think mild forms of epilepsy can cause "spacing out".

[Don Julio Anejo]

Go to a psychologist.

Also, from that little tidbit in the original post, it doesn't seem like ADD. ADD usually has an inattentiveness component AND a hyperactivity component (the trademark of ADHD is impulsiveness, not not paying attention). It doesn't sound like your sister is being hyperactive.

Also, easily a dozen or so things can cause spacing out. She could just as well have a lot on her mind.

PS: you can't really almost pee yourself. It's like being almost pregnant.

PPS: ADD and ADHD are the same thing. The first one is just a shortened version in speech (when you talk, you're more likely to say "Attention Deficit Disorder" rather than "ADHD" or "Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder")

[Castaras]

It's like being almost pregnant.


"Darling, I'm almost pregnant, I just need this one vital component."

<.< >.>

[Don Julio Anejo]

"Darling, I'm almost pregnant, I just need this one vital component."

<.< >.>
Man, I have the perfect response for this! :wink: Too bad it's not very appropriate for these forums...

[IsaacTheHungry]

there is a diffrence between ADD and ADHD, i very clearly have ADD but i show no hyperactivity. ADD is fairly common in my family, my brother has one of the most textbook case of ADD ever seen by the anxiety society of Maryland (i think thats their name). Her symptoms sound a lot like mine, the spacing out especially. when its that strong of a case and of that type it is sometimes classified as high-functioning autism. you may want to look into that.

[Haruki-kun]

PPS: ADD and ADHD are the same thing. The first one is just a shortened version in speech (when you talk, you're more likely to say "Attention Deficit Disorder" rather than "ADHD" or "Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder")

No, they're NOT.

ADD is Attention Deficit Disorder. ADHD is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. One carries the weight of being a hyperactive kid who also has ADD, the other one is simply ADD.

[Don Julio Anejo]

No, they're NOT.

ADD is Attention Deficit Disorder. ADHD is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. One carries the weight of being a hyperactive kid who also has ADD, the other one is simply ADD.
No. ADD is just an old name for ADHD that's still in use.

[TigerHunter]

No. ADD is just an old name for ADHD that's still in use.
This is correct. What used to be called ADD is now ADHD (predominately inattentive).

[Inhuman Bot]

Are you sure?

A friend of mine, who has moved so I can't ask him to confirm, had ADD, but wasn't hyperactive.

I thought ADD was (slightly) different then ADHD, but I guess I'am wrong.

[Don Julio Anejo]

That's the big problem with ADD - it's overdiagnosed nowadays, and any person who doesn't like paying attention is labeled ADD (especially if they're doing poorly in school, so much that teachers/principals label any misbehaving student with ADD in some places), which frankly makes it hard to use anyone who "has" add for baseline comparison.


Her symptoms sound a lot like mine, the spacing out especially. when its that strong of a case and of that type it is sometimes classified as high-functioning autism. you may want to look into that.
Yeah, Asperger's was my first thought too (it's a type of high-functioning autism where a person functions normally for the most part but doesn't do things like make eye contact during a conversation or not pay any attention to whomever they're talking to). But we can't diagnose a person over a 5 sentence description of symptoms.

[Krrth]

Are you sure?

A friend of mine, who has moved so I can't ask him to confirm, had ADD, but wasn't hyperactive.

I thought ADD was (slightly) different then ADHD, but I guess I'am wrong.

Quite sure. The old ADD designation (which I used to have) is now a subset of ADHD. It's a little confusing, but there you go. Anytime you see something published in the last few years that mentions ADHD, it can reference either ADD or ADHD. They combined the designations a few years back.

[Bonecrusher Doc]

I'd take her to a specialist as well, because it might not be ADD, it could be some other things.

I'm no expert but I think mild forms of epilepsy can cause "spacing out".

This is true. It is possible she could be having mini-seizures (not the body-spasming type) that are causing her to space out like that. A neurologist is the usual specialist in this case. I recommend not delaying in getting her to see your primary care provider. If you are concerned that you don't want her to take Ritalin unnecessarily, you just tell that to the doctor. Even if medication for ADHD is the option that he usually recommends, if your parents don't want that, then he (or she) should have alternative options.

[Syka]

To clear up the ADD/ADHD issue: ADD is obsolete. It is now referred to as ADHD. There is Inattentive Type, Hyperactive/Impulsive Type, and Combined Type. ADD did not fully address the entire disorder, so they have changed the terminology.


This is true. It is possible she could be having mini-seizures (not the body-spasming type) that are causing her to space out like that. A neurologist is the usual specialist in this case. I recommend not delaying in getting her to see your primary care provider. If you are concerned that you don't want her to take Ritalin unnecessarily, you just tell that to the doctor. Even if medication for ADHD is the option that he usually recommends, if your parents don't want that, then he (or she) should have alternative options.

It sounded like a seizure to me. When I was in 7th grade-ish, I had Absence seizures where I would zone out, people always thought I just wasn't paying attention. It was really weird- I'd be able to process all the information but I couldn't actually interact, I was kind of on autopilot. I actually had one while practicing with my youth choir- I was singing and everything, but I was completely zoned. They did an EEG I think to verify it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absence_seizure

Yay epilepsy (I had febrile seizures when I was younger but haven't had one since I was 5. The last petit mal (absence) seizure I had was when I was about 12).

They never really impaired me too terribly, but it was annoying. But yeah, it doesn't sound like ADHD but more like minor seizures.

There is medicine for them if she does have Absence seizures, although I haven't needed it since I was about 12 (the bouts lasted maybe several months to a couple years, I don't remember any outside of middle school). But the biggest thing was people always thought I just wasn't paying attention because I'd get one of those blank looks, even while talking to people.

Cheers,
Syka

[Castaras]

Yeah, Asperger's was my first thought too (it's a type of high-functioning autism where a person functions normally for the most part but doesn't do things like make eye contact during a conversation or not pay any attention to whomever they're talking to). But we can't diagnose a person over a 5 sentence description of symptoms.

And if you need any more information about Aspergers, I'm a fully qualified Aspie with an open PM box. With a certificate proving that I can, if I want to, pretend to act like a normal person (got taken off the Learning Support Register at my school a few months ago. ^.^).

[smellie_hippie]

To clear up the ADD/ADHD issue: ADD is obsolete. It is now referred to as ADHD. There is Inattentive Type, Hyperactive/Impulsive Type, and Combined Type. ADD did not fully address the entire disorder, so they have changed the terminology.


Specifically...

314.01.01 Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Combined Type:
this subtype should be used if 6 (or more) symptoms of the inattention and 6 (or more) symptoms of the hyperactivity-impulsivity have persisted for at least 6 months. Most children and adolescents with the disorder have the Combined Type.

314.00 Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Predimonantly Inattentive Type:
this subtype should be used if 6 (or more) symptoms of the inattention but fewer than six of the hyperactivity-impulsivity have persisted for at least 6 months.

314.01 Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulse Type:
this subtype should be used if 6 (or more) symptoms of the hyperactivity-impulsivity but fewer than six of the inattentive have persisted for at least 6 months.


This is all per DSM diagnoses, so take it as valid. I have more answeres if you need more information. Here or PM is fine.

[Silence]

Luckily, the internet is a fantastic place to learn about it, mostly due to the fact that a good 75% of internet users have some form of ADD.

[Groundhog]

Specifically...

314.01.01 Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Combined Type:
this subtype should be used if 6 (or more) symptoms of the inattention and 6 (or more) symptoms of the hyperactivity-impulsivity have persisted for at least 6 months. Most children and adolescents with the disorder have the Combined Type.

314.00 Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Predimonantly Inattentive Type:
this subtype should be used if 6 (or more) symptoms of the inattention but fewer than six of the hyperactivity-impulsivity have persisted for at least 6 months.

314.01 Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulse Type:
this subtype should be used if 6 (or more) symptoms of the hyperactivity-impulsivity but fewer than six of the inattentive have persisted for at least 6 months.


This is all per DSM diagnoses, so take it as valid. I have more answeres if you need more information. Here or PM is fine.

Which is why some people now refer to it as AD/HD.

Another place to go is allkindsofminds.com. It doesn't tell you much about symptoms, because the approach used there doesn't use specific labels like ADHD, it tries to get you to make a personalized plan for the kid rather than a generalized one for the symptoms that characterize any "mental disorder." But it will tell you how to go about helping a kid with these kinds of difficulties without medication.

[Starshade]

Pediatrician would help. Certainly helped me for my Aspergers, and my little brother for problems he's been having. I'd recommend against doctors however. It's so much better for the kid if they learn to cope with it with as little medication as possible. While it can be useful short term, if used regularly, it can cause longterm problems. As in, it'll make her problems worse, thus needing more meds, thus making it worse, needing more meds, etc. etc.

But yeah. If she does need the medication, then a Pediatrician will be able to tell you. =)

Medication for Aspergers? Well, that's Hyperactivity(ADHD) or epilepsy medications, or in rare cases, antypsychotica for big psychological traumas or mental issues, rather than asperger usually, right? A well functioning Aspie can't possibly have much use of conventional chemical medication? :smallamused:

Im a aspie, and the only medication ive used in my life is asthma medication, penicilin, cough medicin, and painkillers when ive had sport injuries, and paracetamol against fever.

[BizzaroStormy]

When I was young, my parent and teacher thought I had ADD. However when I went to see an actual psychologist, he diagnosed something completely different The Larch Boredom Yes it turns out that I was just bored, they gave me a gameboy and BOOM, instant focus.

[Groundhog]

The fact that a gameboy instantly focused you isn't an indicator of ADD or not. Strangely enough, some people with ADD also hyperfocus on certain things that they really like, and it's very hard to get them off of it.

[BizzaroStormy]

I'm saying that too many people always think something like this is a disease or mental disorder when it can be somethings as simple as just being bored. Perhaps the person isn't paying attention in class because its boring?

[Groundhog]

Well, that was why my parents originally didn't think I had ADD, because they thought I was just bored. I was definitely bored in class, but it wasn't just that.

[Don Julio Anejo]

I'm saying that too many people always think something like this is a disease or mental disorder when it can be somethings as simple as just being bored. Perhaps the person isn't paying attention in class because its boring?
This could be the case except that the person in question doesn't pay attention in other situations (like conversations with friends) too.

@groundhog22: this kind of situation is exactly why I (and professional psychologists, including 2/3 of my profs) don't like the concept of ADHD in general. It gives a convenient excuse for teachers who can't teach well and for parents whose kids aren't doing well in school.

[Innis Cabal]

I think the problem is beyond ADD if she is to the point you've posted. You need to take her to someone who has a degree and a practice. -NEVER- home evaluate. Ever.

[bluewind95]

That original post does not sound at all like ADD, I believe...

Yeah, I'd take her to a specialist. Don't just go to a general doctor, if you're able. A general doctor will just look at "lack of attention" and go "Oh yeah, ADD" and prescribe Ritalin or such. If it's to the extent you mentioned it, I'd more look for seizures, yes. Or autism. ADD just wouldn't explain how she simply seems to act like you're not there, or how she almost pees herself. ADD is more about getting distracted from tasks than just going... absent. Daydreaming during something so pressing (and urgent) as wanting to pee? No, ADD is more likely to make the person just stand up and go to the bathroom with no thought as to the social consequences of such a thing (going to the bathroom with no permission in class, such things), rather than zoning out like that..

[smellie_hippie]

This could be the case except that the person in question doesn't pay attention in other situations (like conversations with friends) too.

@groundhog22: this kind of situation is exactly why I (and professional psychologists, including 2/3 of my profs) don't like the concept of ADHD in general. It gives a convenient excuse for teachers who can't teach well and for parents whose kids aren't doing well in school.

This is very true, in as far as teachers and parental-units. The nice thing is, ADHD is a 'lighter diagnosis' and can be removed as a child grows out of it. ADHD also has some qualities that could be comparable to Bipolar Disorder, which is more of a 'tattoo diagnosis' and is much more difficult to get rid of.

Is it sometimes a cheap excuse to call a child ADHD? Yes. I'd almost go so far as to say that at some point everyone under the age of 13 has had clinical symptoms of ADHD.

But as Bluewind95 just pointed out, I'm not sure the OP is a classic ADHD scenario. I'll do some checking.

[Groundhog]

@Don Julio Ajeno: Well, what often frustrates me is when people say that they have ADD just as an excuse for their own laziness or something, especially when it's obvious that they don't have ADD. It gives everyone who really does have ADD a bad rap.