I've been a lurker since I was diagnosed almost a year ago. It was a blessing to finally get to know why I've been so different. Since then I have kept an eye on my Daughter. She has so many ADD characteristics I just didnt wanna admit it to myself. A part of me wanted to find her help asap. But another part dont want her to have a Label at school.
She is 12 and in Junior high. She has always been an above average student she is also taking advance math classes. She is not hyper. She is a good student. This morning I found out that she has been cutting her arms because she had a bad week at home and school. Is cuttings an add thing? I know I never did it.
She has trouble making friends or should I say keeping friends. She is so unorganized, cant follow directions, gets distracted very easily. She is in a new school this year so I know that has to bd hard. BUT its been 2 months and she still gets lost going to class. I have all of this traits too.
Incase you are wondering she has an appointment on Tuesday.
Can someone tell me if cuttings are add related?
Thanks
Sylvia
It's not a symptom of ADD but in many cases teens use cutting as a way to self-medicate. Like Gettingagrip- said ADD often co-exists with anxiety and depression It might not be a bad idea to bring her to a therapist who specialized in treating teens.
There's also a great book out there called Understanding Girls with AD/HD.
http://www.livingwithadd.com/booksgirls.shtml
livingwithadd38268.8239814815 I agree it is probably caused by anxiety or depression in conjunction with the ADHD. My son has done it & he suffers from all 3 plus OCD.Sylvia, I don't think ADHD causes cutting oneself. I just did a quick search and found that depression and anxiety are usually the causes for this behavior. Anxiet and depression are often comorbid with ADHD. Sometimes the symptoms of ADHD can induce anxiety or depression in the person who has it. I am glad you have an appointment for your daughter. Best of luck to you both. -Gettingagrip-
I did this a few times as a teen. Don't remember being particularly upset although I was stressed by moving/new school/friends at the time. It was just, kind of, um... interesting? I dunno. Maybe for me it was a kind of self medicating, as mentioned previously, because it gives the same kind of rush as getting an ear pierced. (Ever wonder why so many people are being pierced lately?) It was a short lived thing, a few weeks.
Still, definitely something to check out...
Lots of hugs to you both, Rainraven
dazednconfussed & Andorra, this must be frightening for you both, when your precious children hurt themselves that badly. If this happened with my 12 year old girl, I would also insist on a brain scan and have her tested for seizure like issues. Seizures are not only jumping bodies on the ground choking on their tongues, but also can be issues like these. Tumor etc can cause these things as well. Not trying to be scary, but rule out any physiological problems first b4 seeing a psychologist.
Daze, my cousin, who suffered from psychotic depression self mutilated. He was successfully treated for the depression and has been free of it for years now. He didn't have ADHD either. Good luck with your daughter. It sounds like she is taking school too seriously. Just remind her (and yourself if needed) that life begins after school. Again good luck and may you have the strength to help her.
Hi all...I'm new here...
Anyway, I'm just about 23 years old. I take Zoloft for depression & Concerta for ADHD. I have also been cutting for years. I'd have to say that self-injury/self-mutilation can be more directly related to depression than ADD or ADHD. The reason that many cutters, such as myself, hurt themselves is, like someone else mentioned, to self-medicate. There is a whole wealth of information on the internet & books, like A Bright Red Scream, that can offer far more insight than I can. I can tell you, however, that for myself & for other cutters I have known, that cutting is a release or can serve as a "reminder" that you are alive; many cutters feel a certain numbness & the pain & blood produced by a blade somehow helps. Another reason many of us cut is to feel a sense of control when we feel our lives are becoming too chaotic. I, for one, have always been an over-achiever & I get caught up in making sure everything I do is "just right." Like your daughter, I have always been an above-average student.
I've never been proud of my cutting, but I know what it feels like...I wish you & your daughter the best. My wonderful parents have learned that my cutting isn't something they can necessarily understand or control, but they can be there for me. If you need anything, don't hesitate to email me...ctell@optonline.net.
Good luck,
cortnee
My daughter use to cut , and they said it was her way of controlling something when she feels her world is out of control. She has now stopped as far as I know. She also had bulimia, but had none of the symptoms. Once she went to counselling all that seemed to resolve. I have a friend who use to cut and probably still does. I had got use to watching her arms, and that is how I found out about my daughter. I thought she was suicidal, but she just wanted control. She is very smart and has no ADD symptoms so far.