The thing with ADHD or ADD for that matter is that it's a neurological condition. There 'should' be the classic and problematic symptoms in different settings (not just at school or just at home, or just with certain people for example).

Children can have anxiety disorders too. A generalized anxiety disorder can lead to such things as 'jumpiness' and what can look like distractability and even impulsivity.

Asperger's syndrome causes a spectrum of different symptoms from mild to severe. The classic problem would be correct interpretation of social cues that 'normal' people just seem to pick up on as if by magic. That can lead to anxiety because of not being able 'read' people correctly then they assume weird and incorrect things about you, and that just sets up a vicious cycle of problems. A secondary classic phenomenon with this syndrome is concrete thinking. People who have this may not 'get' sarcasm or read intonations correctly. One of the recent studies done showed that they do 'get' and can correctly interpret happy and sad facial expressions. They did have difficulty distinguishing the subtle differences between sad and angry though.

A good, accurate diagnosis and some understanding on her part of what she needs to work with in herself can help more than vitamins or any other medication, or supplement which may be helpful or needed. Talk to your pediatrician about the problem and all her history and ask for a recommendation about how to proceed or where you can get specific testing.

As a secondary major thing, the biggest difference usually between classroom environments and home environments is the organization and controlledness. Classroom environments are defined, and somewhat regimented. Interactions are orderly and predictable usually. Students, and the teachers generally know what is expected of them and the 'rules' for interactions. Home environments by comparasin are much more chaotic even when 'organized.' Things are not as predictable. This can cause problems for people with any of the previously mentioned disorders and more besides (some people just do better, for no apparent reason, when things are more consistent and predictable).

children can also have dysthymia, or other mood disorders (having had an unknown math disability, and a level of perfectionism for however many years has probably been a huge burden on her and she might need more help than just time and a name for the problem to recover enough to seem to 'get over it')

P.S. This page has lots of online info from the aacap.
http://www.aacap.org/publications/factsfam/

I would think it would be hormones or just something in the home before I would diagnose my child with something like ADHD. She's at a stage where these things are changeing and she's going to be moody and harder to deal with. I remember thinking I knew it all from about 10 or so and it continued throught the teen years.

~Leslie~

He is scared of just about everything and imagines the worst in every situation. I've been reading a lot about General Anxiety Disorder and think this might be what he has.

Amygdala's comments really interesting me (enough to drag me out of lurking) as we always thought he let off steam at home because he felt he was safe enough here to express all his emotions without getting into trouble BUT maybe he does need more rules and routine in the home to help him cope - certainly gave me something to consider.

When he was younger he used to kick holes in the walls and keep a tantrum going for 4 days but he's certainly improved with constant reassurances of love and we talk through EVERY thing to try to quench of the fears.

LOL talk about jumping in and not knowing when to shut up! Sorry to go on but hope it helps to know you aren't alone, there's not always an easy diagnosis and at the end of the day your daughter needs your love and reassurances every day. It helps to sometimes peep in when the child is peaceful and asleep and remember how wonderful they are.

I don't think parenting is the problem as we have a 14 year old daughter who excels at school, is very outgoing and overflows with self confidence. Got to take each child on their own merits and personality and just do the best you can. Again sorry for rambling on. Sue

Chances are what ever it is will get worse, not better, during adolescence. Most pediatricians don't have much experience with prescribing for or treating psychiatric problems except ADHD, but it would be a good place to start.

Here are some links to look at:

http://www.ocdresource.com/

http://www.anxietynetwork.com/gahome.html

http://www.ocfoundation.org/ocf1020a.htm

http://www.bpkids.org/learning/about.htm

These may give you more insight. Kids who are treated early on have better outcomes than kids who go untreated. The biggest worry is the tendency to self-medicate which can lead to drug and alcohol abuse.

The OCD people can vary considerably..some are much the perfectionists and like uniformity (kids at early ages line up their toys..only want to drink out of certain colored glasses...are impulsive and over exagerates many things or over does things..like he may take wayyyy too much of things.. like at buffets 8 cookies or a plate of the thing he likes(usually rolls or meat or candy)more so than a normal child who can also be impulsive.

My son is a definite perfectionist..but has a few signs of OCD although I try to keep him in check, because I can relate to how he thinks. I can warn him ahead of time at buffets or stores and unless I'm right there by him he always impulsively overindulges in whatever it might be...but I keep working on it with him. As an adult, I find myself buying 4 and 5 of things that I like (if one is great 2 or even more is better)..like shirts..VCRs..TVs..computers(we have five nice ones now)I even realize how I am and talk myself out of lots of things...but if I can find a way to justify it in my mind I go a head and buy it. And we do use the multiples I buy now..but they aren't real necessary. My son also goes into great detail when explaining something and if he gets interrupted he wants to start it all over so it's perfect. Or has a certain thing he says when telling us good-bye or good-night and if we interupt that by saying I love you or whatever before he is done he will have to say it again up to however many times until he does get through the whole thing.

Well, I've gone on and on and hope I haven't bored everyone and hope maybe I've helped a little.
God Bless You and your family!

Matthew