POLL: ADHD, real or imagined?

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ADHD, or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder has been in the news lately, so I thought I would start a poll (and of course a little debate) on whether it is real, imagined, part of a deranged plot by Dr.'s and pharmaceutical companies to make a bunch of cash.

Poll Information
This poll contains 1 question(s). 27 user(s) have voted.
You may not view the results of this poll without voting.

Poll Results: ADHD, real or imagined? (27 votes.)

ADHD, real or imagined? (Choose 1)
* ADHD is a real and treatable health issue. - 48% (13)
* ADHD is a concoction of the pharmaceutical companies who just want to make money. - 0% (0)
* ADHD is just a symptom of bad parenting. - 7% (2)
* ADHD is just children behaving like children. - 0% (0)
* ADHD may exist, but is also in some/many cases a result of all of the above. - 44% (12)

 

Probably exists.
Some new age disease that striked mankind; Like AIDS, SARS, Empola, cancer and the list gets longer and longer.
I can't believe how efficiently are we killing ourselves.

 

I think it's imagined...Wait, what were we talking about?

 

It is real, but it's a lot less common than people make it out to be. I know people who say, "Oh, I hate school. I just can't focus - I think I have ADHD." No, you're just a lazy, unfocused schmuck with a short attention span who'd rather say you have a disease than take responsibility for being a bad student. Having trouble concentrating is a result of boredome, stress, or low IQ, period.

I knew a kid in my neighborhood growing up who had it. He could barely finish a sentance his head was so screwed up. He had to attend a special school because he drove our teachers nuts. And his was a middle of the road case, not a severe one.

To a great extent these days, psychologists do pull this disorder out of their asses and slap them on undisciplined kids to ring up session hours. Of course the kid's parents just eat this up because it means they get to hide behind a "clinical disorder" rather than admit to the world they're terrible parents and actually start paying attention to their kids. God forbid these people actually take an active role in their kid's lives.

So my answer is yes, it does exist. But people mainly claim it as a cop out and the real cases are fairly rare.

 

I think it's a product of our culture, more than anything.

I'm bored, entertain me, I'm hungry now. I want something new.

I think it goes down to a fundamental level that is just going to become more difficult to change as time goes on.

 

Strange. I tend to agree with Death Rabbit. That's weird. But I see the problem a litte bit different.


ADHD, does it exist yes.

Why is it suddenly so common ? Articles that I read about POS, indicate, not the disease is the problem, the cure is the problem.

ADHD usally is treated with Ritalin (or a close relative). And Ritalin is the reason, why everybody wants a ADHD diagnosis. Ritalin works like a mix between a sedative and doping-pill. It keeps the children quiet and usually elevates their performance at school. So, Ritalin seems for many the easy-way out. And that's for ALL children, it does not need an ADHD-child to work.

So, problem solved. Everybody happy. Who would question the diagnosis? Children have no say.

But there are a thousand reasons for a child to be a problem child. And I think its questionable, to use a medicament as means of "disciplination". I ask my self, what do they take away from the children ? At least they take away the energy of children and make them more obedient, that's for sure.

So, I agree with everything that Death Rabbid said, except I think, people don't want to hide behind the diagnosis, they want it to get the Ritalin, which solves the problem for them. Which I personally think is not the right way to treat children. Even if they're problem-children.

 

I'm sure the disease exists, but so many kids use that as a scapegoat for being lazy little bastards that it's not funny. It's so often used as a cop out, and in my mind, it's another nail in the coffin of the concept of personal responsibility for your own actions -- or inaction, as the case may be.

Ritalin may be good for some kids, but bringing back the strap would work just as well on a few of these smug little hooligans.

 

If you ever meet a ADHD child you wont think they are faking it. Those kids are a hand full. I mean they have *serious* problems. Sure some might be added up to bad parenting but far from everything. I think it has existed through all times, it is just that in the past they were just seen as little pests. I mean an ADHD child is a loathsome little beast, my sisters stepson has that diagnosis and the kid has some serious issues. They need all help they can get if you dont want them ending up in prison or the looniebin.

Still it is pretty rare and I agree with Death Rabbit and Yago.

 

Well since my brother has ADHD, I can pretty much say yes

 

It is real. And it has been know a long time. It can be tested and it is bullet proof. But it is NOT common. And no you can't blame your bad puperty manners on it. Either you suffer from it completely or you don't suffer from it at all.

I don't know where you got the idea that its something brand new. Sorry I don't even bother looking in your poll.

Edit; Ok I do know why you got the idea. But in Europe it is age old common knowledge. But why should americans for once be concerned with what goes on in little insignificant europe. Moreover and especially the american youth... Sorry *insert harmless american joke smilie here*

[ April 30, 2003, 00:43: Message edited by: Nobleman ]

 

I might have to challenge thee to a duel for insulting my parents. I myself have ADHD. You'd never know if you met me, because I have it under control with the help of medication. (Of course, I tend to do really dumb things without said pills, but hey, nobody's perfect.)

 

@ Soul Forever Seeking

Well, 'tis not thee nor thy parents we insult.

I don't know you, but I'll take your word for it that you're a legitimate case. What we're discussing here are the people who abuse the commonly accepted 'symptoms' and use them to gain sympathy, or an excuse to be lazy, or to get drugs to turn their children into zombies and avoid responsibility, or whatever.

We (or at least I) are ragging on those whose rediculous behavior and abuse of the system are a slap in the face to one such as yourself.

 

The problem comes in when kids do not see it as a problem to be overcome but an excuse to do whatever the heck they want. Believe me, Joacquin, I've seen these kids, the real things. These kids are why teachers take stress leave. In some cases, I think that medication should be a pre-requisite to school attendance. More consequences that actually mean something to the kid are necessary if our schools are to survive.

 

I think everyone who is going to has replied. I am a bit surprised not to hear from a couple of parents, Rally in particular, but maybe she is busy elsewhere.

Here is the problem I see, having never met a true ADHD child. I have 2 nephews who are/were on Ritalin. They were drugged to make up for bad parenting. How do I know? They could pay attention when they chose to.

If a child can play a video game for an hour or 2 without problem, I don't believe that they could possibly be and ADHD child. The definition seems to prohibit it. One of my nephews just finally grew up enough that they stopped giving it to him. The other ones father divorced the mother, took the kids, went to counseling, studied parenting books, and adjusted the child’s diet. He went from a drugged average student to straight A's in one semester.

I am not saying that ADHD doesn't exist, but I would bet that if there weren’t a $6 billion dollar pharmaceutical business driving it, probably only 1% of current ADHD diagnosis would be confirmed as real.

For those of you who are parents or someday hope to be parents, if they tell you your kid is a candidate for some ADHD drug, before you start letting them take a drug, give them the simple test. Take one of the current game systems, and a really cool new game or 2, sit them in front of the TV and observe. If the game holds their attention, I think you need to look elsewhere for the solution to your child’s behavior.

 

Hi, Darkwolf! Yes, I was quite tied up with other stuff yesterday. I saw your post but couldn't reply, and then when I had a chance to reply I didn't have much to add to what had been said. Namely:
1. ADHD is real, and Ritalin works to control it.
2. ADHD is grossly over-diagnosed, whether by frustrated teachers, lazy parents, or selfish doctors. Too many people are looking for the easy way out. No one ever said that parenting was an easy job!

Here's a sad commentary. Velcro and I are, ahem, "older" parents (I was 36 when I gave birth). Neither one of us had spent much time around babies or small children as teens or young adults, so all this child-development stuff was new to us. The pervasive talk of ADHD had us wondering, at times, about our little man, when all along he's been nothing but a normal toddler. There are times of life when it's NORMAL to have a short attention span!

A side note (that may be worthy of its own thread, someday) is how a school can almost compel a diagnosis of ADHD. Depaara, I've heard stories (probably apochryphal) about schools that refused to allow children to come to class without taking medication. While it may "take a village" to raise a child, why does everyone else seem to have more authority than the parents? Why are issues involving children still treated as "guilty until proven innocent?"

 

I think that's the problem and not the money. Modernization has brought some new problems. The disintegration of the village and some other nasty aspects, as Graffiti (but some Graffiti are dam good).

So instead the village, that traditionally had a great part in raising a child, there's now a vacuum. At least I can't see the shaping of a new structure that is able to replace the old, yet. But at the same time, expectations and demands have gone up. Patience has become a rare virtue and there's a tendency for wanting the quick fix.

So, kids just get pumped full of drugs instead of raised. And I think Rallymama is right. There's a lot of pressure coming from schools and authorities, who want "results". Meaning a problematic child obidient as soon as possible. And I bet the most part of Ritalin is used in the big cities, which are swamped with problems.

And of course, there's an industry willing to lend schools, parents and authorities a helping hand and a quick fix for a little bit of money.

 

I don't have ADHD but ADD and let me tell you it was a pain getting through grade school, highschool and college. Especially the first two. My parents thought I was simply a below average student and really let me have it. Some ways a bit too harsh in fact.

I always got extremely bored too quickly at work and school. I never felt as if I was motivated or challenged you know? It's not until the late 90s I decided to speak to a shrink about general issues. She had me participate in a test and then everything made sense. Why I need to have the tv or radio on when i'm online, reading or working. Why I always get bored too quickly and why sometimes I do 2, 3 things at once.

Of course the parents weren't too supportive. Hell, they refused to acknowledge it. No parents want to admit their child has a problem.

ADD has been a big problem in my life. I've always bounced from job to job searching for something to keep me from getting bored. you know, searching for something that will keep me stimulated and challenge me.

School was a pain. Always got C's, 80s, Average etc etc. I wish the general populace were aware of AD/HD in the 1980s. Could've saved alot of heartache in many families.

So yes..I feel that AD/HD is very real.

 

Rally, those stories are probably apocryphical(sic) but let me tell you, speaking as a teacher, I totally feel for those teachers wanting their students controlled in some way. When they started mainstreaming kids with disabilities, tthey told teachers "you'll have oodles of support: aides, training, resource rooms; these kids will not make your jobs tougher or interfere with the education of the rest of your students." Well, then they pulled the plug on funding, and teachers were left doing a job that all experts agreed should take about 4 people -- all on their own (one person). With parenting getting worse and worse, we teachers put up with more and more. Contrary to popular belief, we are not here for the money or the summer "vacation", but we cannot do the job society wants from us without the society's support, so sometimes we snap and do things that a person who has never lasted a semester in a classroom might determine to be unfair, heavy-handed or arbitrary.