QUESTION:
Dear Dr. Heller,
I have a 13yr old daughter that has ADD, she is having a lot of trouble playing basketball although she exceeds at ball handling skills. Does the ADD keep her from being able to perform or think during a game?
ANSWER:
No, although she’ll likely be more impulsive. This is likely to manifest itself as shooting without thinking first and getting more fouls. She may have a hard time remembering a coach’s instructions, particularly when there is a lot of noise and stimulation around. She’s going to be more aware of movement, which can be a big plus. Hyperfocusing will likely help her as well. Psychostimulants such as Ritalin may be of enormous help in this regard. If these medications are not acceptable to her league, alternatives such as Wellbutrin and Effexor may be a good choice. I’d also recommend looking for other diagnoses, particularly the BPD and generalized anxiety disorder. Fear and anger can cause behaviors that wouldn’t be chosen in a different time and place.