Would you pay for a neuropsych for this teen girl?

[Anonymous]

Husband and son have ADHD and ASD.
DS also has learning disabilities and low processing speed and needed a LOT of services and accommodations in school, and still has some in college.
8th grader DD is an over-achiever in school and clearly has a high IQ, but is also very anxious, cries often, has slightly morbid interests (writes and draws suspense and horror subjects) and has expressed, on two occasions, suicidal thoughts that she then claimed were not serious. I am also wondering if her very high functioning masks ADHD, because sometimes she drops the ball in a way that makes me think of her older brother.

I want to treat her malaise and anxiety in the best way, and for this I'd like to know whether there's any ADHD, or possibly (but I doubt it) autism going on. She does not need any academic services or accommodations in school pertaining to her psychological profile right now, and might never need anything in that line. It's more of a "how do we approach the anxiety, emotional outbursts and destructive thinking" sort of thing. I also don't know what's "normal" emotions for a teen girl.

Is it worth dropping 5K+? My son's needs were so immediate and extreme that we had to get him evaluated for him not to fail in elementary school. As a result, I don't quite know how to evaluate my daughter's needs.

Thank you for your suggestions.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, forgot to mention that her pediatrician and school counselor suggested she be seen by a therapist, but so far she has been resistant to the idea.

[Anonymous]

What is her caffeine intake?

I suggest a trial of a SSRI just to see what she's like on it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is her caffeine intake?

I suggest a trial of a SSRI just to see what she's like on it.

No caffeine. You'd try medication before she has a diagnosis?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Husband and son have ADHD and ASD.
DS also has learning disabilities and low processing speed and needed a LOT of services and accommodations in school, and still has some in college.
8th grader DD is an over-achiever in school and clearly has a high IQ, but is also very anxious, cries often, has slightly morbid interests (writes and draws suspense and horror subjects) and has expressed, on two occasions, suicidal thoughts that she then claimed were not serious. I am also wondering if her very high functioning masks ADHD, because sometimes she drops the ball in a way that makes me think of her older brother.

I want to treat her malaise and anxiety in the best way, and for this I'd like to know whether there's any ADHD, or possibly (but I doubt it) autism going on. She does not need any academic services or accommodations in school pertaining to her psychological profile right now, and might never need anything in that line. It's more of a "how do we approach the anxiety, emotional outbursts and destructive thinking" sort of thing. I also don't know what's "normal" emotions for a teen girl.

Is it worth dropping 5K+? My son's needs were so immediate and extreme that we had to get him evaluated for him not to fail in elementary school. As a result, I don't quite know how to evaluate my daughter's needs.

Thank you for your suggestions.

Does she have a therapist? I'd start there and then assess whether you need many thousands of dollars worth of tests. If you don't need school accommodations, there's really very little need (usually, not always) for a neuropsych. Between a therapist and a doctor (whether PCP or psychiatrist), you'll most likely get what she needs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Husband and son have ADHD and ASD.
DS also has learning disabilities and low processing speed and needed a LOT of services and accommodations in school, and still has some in college.
8th grader DD is an over-achiever in school and clearly has a high IQ, but is also very anxious, cries often, has slightly morbid interests (writes and draws suspense and horror subjects) and has expressed, on two occasions, suicidal thoughts that she then claimed were not serious. I am also wondering if her very high functioning masks ADHD, because sometimes she drops the ball in a way that makes me think of her older brother.

I want to treat her malaise and anxiety in the best way, and for this I'd like to know whether there's any ADHD, or possibly (but I doubt it) autism going on. She does not need any academic services or accommodations in school pertaining to her psychological profile right now, and might never need anything in that line. It's more of a "how do we approach the anxiety, emotional outbursts and destructive thinking" sort of thing. I also don't know what's "normal" emotions for a teen girl.

Is it worth dropping 5K+? My son's needs were so immediate and extreme that we had to get him evaluated for him not to fail in elementary school. As a result, I don't quite know how to evaluate my daughter's needs.

Thank you for your suggestions.

Does she have a therapist? I'd start there and then assess whether you need many thousands of dollars worth of tests. If you don't need school accommodations, there's really very little need (usually, not always) for a neuropsych. Between a therapist and a doctor (whether PCP or psychiatrist), you'll most likely get what she needs.

She does not yet have a therapist - she doesn't want one. I think she knows she'd have trouble opening up to someone (social anxiety) and she is scared of trying.

[Anonymous]

I'd have her seen by a psychiatrist, OP.

With what you describe + her brother and father, likely something going on. Hormones/puberty add a lot of stress. Does she have friends and maintain friendships?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Husband and son have ADHD and ASD.
DS also has learning disabilities and low processing speed and needed a LOT of services and accommodations in school, and still has some in college.
8th grader DD is an over-achiever in school and clearly has a high IQ, but is also very anxious, cries often, has slightly morbid interests (writes and draws suspense and horror subjects) and has expressed, on two occasions, suicidal thoughts that she then claimed were not serious. I am also wondering if her very high functioning masks ADHD, because sometimes she drops the ball in a way that makes me think of her older brother.

I want to treat her malaise and anxiety in the best way, and for this I'd like to know whether there's any ADHD, or possibly (but I doubt it) autism going on. She does not need any academic services or accommodations in school pertaining to her psychological profile right now, and might never need anything in that line. It's more of a "how do we approach the anxiety, emotional outbursts and destructive thinking" sort of thing. I also don't know what's "normal" emotions for a teen girl.

Is it worth dropping 5K+? My son's needs were so immediate and extreme that we had to get him evaluated for him not to fail in elementary school. As a result, I don't quite know how to evaluate my daughter's needs.

Thank you for your suggestions.

Does she have a therapist? I'd start there and then assess whether you need many thousands of dollars worth of tests. If you don't need school accommodations, there's really very little need (usually, not always) for a neuropsych. Between a therapist and a doctor (whether PCP or psychiatrist), you'll most likely get what she needs.

She does not yet have a therapist - she doesn't want one. I think she knows she'd have trouble opening up to someone (social anxiety) and she is scared of trying.

Group therapy can work on several levels at that age, a CBT or DBT approach can really help anxiety. She may also need meds.

The talk of suicide and morbid interests at her age would definitely concern me. Is she a loner?

[Anonymous]

Worth every penny, yes. Your story sounds similar to another close to me that was masking ADHD and Autism.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Husband and son have ADHD and ASD.
DS also has learning disabilities and low processing speed and needed a LOT of services and accommodations in school, and still has some in college.
8th grader DD is an over-achiever in school and clearly has a high IQ, but is also very anxious, cries often, has slightly morbid interests (writes and draws suspense and horror subjects) and has expressed, on two occasions, suicidal thoughts that she then claimed were not serious. I am also wondering if her very high functioning masks ADHD, because sometimes she drops the ball in a way that makes me think of her older brother.

I want to treat her malaise and anxiety in the best way, and for this I'd like to know whether there's any ADHD, or possibly (but I doubt it) autism going on. She does not need any academic services or accommodations in school pertaining to her psychological profile right now, and might never need anything in that line. It's more of a "how do we approach the anxiety, emotional outbursts and destructive thinking" sort of thing. I also don't know what's "normal" emotions for a teen girl.

Is it worth dropping 5K+? My son's needs were so immediate and extreme that we had to get him evaluated for him not to fail in elementary school. As a result, I don't quite know how to evaluate my daughter's needs.

Thank you for your suggestions.

Does she have a therapist? I'd start there and then assess whether you need many thousands of dollars worth of tests. If you don't need school accommodations, there's really very little need (usually, not always) for a neuropsych. Between a therapist and a doctor (whether PCP or psychiatrist), you'll most likely get what she needs.

She does not yet have a therapist - she doesn't want one. I think she knows she'd have trouble opening up to someone (social anxiety) and she is scared of trying.

Group therapy can work on several levels at that age, a CBT or DBT approach can really help anxiety. She may also need meds.

The talk of suicide and morbid interests at her age would definitely concern me. Is she a loner?

No. She has one very close friend, and has told me she stays away from the middle school girl drama. Talking with other parents, it appears there are groups of girls at her school who steal from stores, or get into fights over boys, etc. Emotions seem to run high all the time in school (which doesn't help with the "is this a normal range of emotion" question!).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Husband and son have ADHD and ASD.
DS also has learning disabilities and low processing speed and needed a LOT of services and accommodations in school, and still has some in college.
8th grader DD is an over-achiever in school and clearly has a high IQ, but is also very anxious, cries often, has slightly morbid interests (writes and draws suspense and horror subjects) and has expressed, on two occasions, suicidal thoughts that she then claimed were not serious. I am also wondering if her very high functioning masks ADHD, because sometimes she drops the ball in a way that makes me think of her older brother.

I want to treat her malaise and anxiety in the best way, and for this I'd like to know whether there's any ADHD, or possibly (but I doubt it) autism going on. She does not need any academic services or accommodations in school pertaining to her psychological profile right now, and might never need anything in that line. It's more of a "how do we approach the anxiety, emotional outbursts and destructive thinking" sort of thing. I also don't know what's "normal" emotions for a teen girl.

Is it worth dropping 5K+? My son's needs were so immediate and extreme that we had to get him evaluated for him not to fail in elementary school. As a result, I don't quite know how to evaluate my daughter's needs.

Thank you for your suggestions.

Why would you have children with a man who has adhd and asd?

I didn't know
He's extremely smart, PP, and his profile has definitely helped him in his career. it also makes him hard to live with, sometimes.

[Anonymous]

OP again. I know everyone keeps recommending therapy, but... isn't the first order of business to get a diagnosis? Otherwise, since there are many forms of therapy, how would patients or families know which one is best? Or does everyone try blindly to see what works?

[Anonymous]

How big of a deal is it for you financially? If you believe a diagnosis would help her understand that she's wired differently and it's not a matter of fault, it might be worth it just for that. Then it could be framed as treatment for a condition rather than going to

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
OP again. I know everyone keeps recommending therapy, but... isn't the first order of business to get a diagnosis? Otherwise, since there are many forms of therapy, how would patients or families know which one is best? Or does everyone try blindly to see what works?

Neuropsychs can take a long time to schedule. Recommend asking her pediatrician if they’ll start adhd meds and a psych for anti depressants/adhd meds if not. psychiatrists will make a diagnosis and give a script that day. Do the neuropsych too but don’t delay treatment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How big of a deal is it for you financially? If you believe a diagnosis would help her understand that she's wired differently and it's not a matter of fault, it might be worth it just for that. Then it could be framed as treatment for a condition rather than going to

Therapy to talk about feelings.