Hi MWM,
both my dtrs were diagnosed with the inattentive type ADHD. My older dtr thinks it was an accurate diagnosis for her but thinks she outgrew it. She couldn't concentrate in school--she was not a behavior problem, just sat there daydreaming. She was very disorganized with everything.
My younger dtr was very spacy and we thought the ADHD diagnosis made sense--she even read a book about teen girls with ADHD and it seemed to fit. But she and her therapist decided it really wasn't adhd, it was her dissociating due to trauma caused by my older dtr. She also is very disorganized, loses things easily, has trouble concentrating, etc.
I think many other disorders can look like ADHD. I understand your hesitation in using the medications. My older dtr started selling her adderal and concerta at school. My younger dtr didn't like the way the stimulants made her feel and they didn't help.
I think my son truly does have ADHD. He did fine in school til he hit high school and then he couldn't concentrate. I feel bad because I thought he just wasn't trying and I was so caught up with difficult child 1 that I didn't look more closely at what was going on. When he was in college he was diagnosed with it and he said Concerta really helped but now he just relies on lots of caffeine--he can't concentrate without it.
Well, I probably haven't helped much but probably others will come along soon who will!
Hugs,
Jane
