Does this sound like ADHD

[Anonymous]

19 yo female
struggles with procrastination, follow through on work
feels overwhelmed often
shuts down and acts like she doesn't care when feeling overwhelmed
intrusive thoughts/rumination
compulsively picks fingernails

She's already diagnosed with anxiety and takes an antidepressant for that, but still struggles. ADHD does run in the family. She had a neuropsych a few years ago that did not diagnose ADHD, though.

Thanks for your thoughts.

[Anonymous]

Anxiety, depression, so many things could be the root of these behaviors. Nothing shouts ADHD to me, but it’s not impossible.

What is she doing for self care? Can she manage that on her own? (Exercise, etc)

Does she have a psychiatrist? I would get an updated evaluation. And have a psychiatrist or psychiatric NP controlling her medication, if that’s not already who is managing it.

I’m sorry she’s suffering.

[Anonymous]

Sounds more like her current medication isn’t working for her anxiety and depression. I’d start there. It can be tricky to get those right. My DS with anxiety and depression went through three different medications (and different dosages within those) before we found one that works.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:19 yo female
struggles with procrastination, follow through on work
feels overwhelmed often
shuts down and acts like she doesn't care when feeling overwhelmed
intrusive thoughts/rumination
compulsively picks fingernails

She's already diagnosed with anxiety and takes an antidepressant for that, but still struggles. ADHD does run in the family. She had a neuropsych a few years ago that did not diagnose ADHD, though.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Yes, this sounds exactly like me. I don't have an ADHD diagnosis, but my DS does. His neuropsych testing revealed poor working memory, and he and I are very similar.

[Anonymous]

It could be undiagnosed/untreated ADHD causing anxiety or could be undertreated anxiety/depression. Has she discussed with her psychiatrist?

[Anonymous]

No, not remotely ADHD

[Anonymous]

Could be adhd with anxiety, very common.

[Anonymous]

Sounds exactly like my DD who has an ADHD and social anxiety diagnosis. I was oblivious until middle school. Clearly the Apple did not fall far from the tree but I did not have the overwhelming anxiety that paralyzed her at times.

ADHD is a combination of symptoms, did they interview you as part of the diagnosis?

Another treatment option is an executive functioning coach, who can her develop organizational skills and strategies to counteract the overwhelm.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like poorly treated anxiety.

[Anonymous]

Have her try taking 1200mg of N-Acetyl-Cysteine per day for symptom improvement. It is a huge help for body-focused anxiety OCD.
It stopped my trichotilliomania (compulsive hair pulling) in it's tracks and it has never returned.
Its also good for anxiety.
You can find trustworthy brands on Amazon and its not expensive. Another easy thing to try is the b-vitamin Myo-Inositol (make sure its Myo-Inositol and not just inositol.)

It is a terrific overall supplement for balancing out of whack female hormones. I have been using it since my early 40s and it is a literal life saver for both my sanity and my job, because without taking it I am up and down and all over.

[Anonymous]

Sounds more like anxiety and ocd.
I gave those and my kid has adhd so I feel like I know a bit about them.
She may need anxiety meds more geared for ocd. I take buspirone.

[Anonymous]

20 year old DD just like this was diagnosed with ADHD in the spring. We thought it was anxiety or depression but it turned out that the ADHD and everything was creating the anxiety and depression. And mostly because the procrastination and inability to get things done created a stress which led to anxiety and then depression. Doctor felt ADHD was the primary diagnosis and everything else was a result from it.