Why do people believe in ADHD?

Question

Don't they realize that some people just have more energy than others?
Personally, I'd be more worried about a little kid who sits still all day than one who dances on the table during class.

Answer 1

ADHD is only an excuse or a cop out for a lazy parents with an out of control brat.

When I was a child their was no such thing ADHD because most parents would cure it by busting a kids @$$!

Answer 2

I totally agree with you. Despite claims of irrefutable science, there are absolutely no objective criteria by which Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can be confirmed to exist. This is not science.

Nor is there any scientific evidence proving that a chemical imbalance in the brain is responsible for the symptoms attributed to ADHD, or that ADHD is a “brain-based disease.” Yet this is repeatedly claimed as fact by psychiatrists.

In fact, the diagnostic criteria to determine if a child has ADHD were voted on in committee by members of the American Psychiatric Association, by a show of hands. There are many reasons why a child might be displaying behavioral or educational problems. Drugging only masks the real cause.

Dr. Mary Ann Block, the author of “No More ADHD” stated, “If there is no valid test for ADHD, no data proving ADHD is a brain dysfunction, no long-term studies of the drugs’ effects, and if the drugs do not improve academic performance or social skills and the drugs can cause compulsive and mood disorders and can lead to illicit drug use, why in the world are millions of children, teenagers and adults…being labeled with ADHD and prescribed these drugs?”

According to Beverly Eakman, author of Cloning of the American Mind, “These drugs make children more manageable, not necessarily better. ADHD is a phenomenon, not a ‘brain disease.’ Because the diagnosis of ADHD is fraudulent, it doesn’t matter whether a drug ‘works.’ Children are being forced to take a drug that is stronger than cocaine for a disease that is yet to be proven.”

Dr. Joe Kosterich, Federal Chairman of the General Practitioners’ branch of the Australian Medical Association, said, “The diagnosis of ADD is entirely subjective....There is no test. It is just down to interpretation. Maybe a child blurts out in class or doesn’t sit still. The lines between an ADD sufferer and a healthy exuberant kid can be very blurred.”

Unwanted or hyperactive behavior can have many sources ranging from, but not limited to allergies, food additives, environmental toxins, improper sleep, certain medications, not knowing how to study and going past words not fully understood, to being bored with the curricula because you are very intelligent or creative.

By isolating and correcting this, the child can be helped so that there are no symptoms and no need for drugs.

Answer 3

As a mental health clinician, i feel it is a problem with our educational system. No one wants to provide the type of alternative education that these children need. They'd rather medicate them so they sit quiet and listen. I believe these people with so called ADHD are people who learn and operate differently from the average person. It isn't a disorder, it's a neurological trait.

I'm not saying there aren't people who have very extreme problems with inattentiveness and hyperactivity. In extreme cases I don't have a problem with medication. But I think a kid like this is quite uncommon.

I work in an adolescent psychiatric day program and nearly all the children there are diagnosed with ADHD. I'm not exaggerating. The thing is, they have depression and anxiety issues. Those problems cause symptoms similar to ADHD. Who can pay attention when they are about to have a panic attack or they are severely depressed?

Well there's my two cents on the issue. And yes, as someone mentioned above, ADHD is complicated, but not that complicated.

Answer 4

I believe in the existence of ADHD because I happen to have the disorder. What you are describing applies to children more often than adults as adults experience ADHD in differing ways. It is likely that it is over-diagnosed in children, but that does not diminish the disorder's existence.

The thing about ADHD is that is has a biological component that can be and has been measured. The science of its diagnosis is still in the early stages of being defined as a real biochemical phenomenon. This is mostly due to it only recently being recognised for what it is and not as some kind of discipline issue. I think that once diagnostic equipment becomes more widespread and less costly that diagnosis will be more accurately applied.

Answer 5

There is a difference between more energy,
and the inability to focus on the task at hand.

My youngest son has ADD,
none of the hyperactivity, at at all, though.

You can be looking him dead in the face talking to him and he will miss half of what you are saying because he simply is NOT paying attention.

He was on medication through elementary school and now that he is in Jr high he is given the option weather to take the medication or not. He did poorly in school last year, so this year we are going to try to encourage him to take it, again.

Inability to focus is more than just "dancing on tables" and can be extremely difficult not only in school, but it a safety issue when crossing the street, riding a bike, or many other tasks.

Answer 6

ADHD is different that a child with alot of energy. Their inability to focus wreaks havoc in their lives. They do poorly in school and have problems with peers because they can't do things like wait their turn, interrupt others, etc. When attention problems affect kids lives negatively, it is ADHD.

However, it is overdiagnosed because there is a focus on symptoms. For example, I think alot of kids are diagnosed because they have parents who can't handle or tolerate active children, so they take em to a psychiatrist and tells then how hyper and inattentive their kid is (actually believing this) when in fact, it is the parents' problem.

Answer 7

because ever since kids in my generation thought it was cool too put thier parents in jail for whippin' their bad asses, parents and educators have become lazy and would rather the kids sit still all day like little zombies! ADHD does not exist, if people had more time to focus on the kids they have before having more,you know who i'm talking about, the girl who's 25 with 5 kids in tow at the grocery store, they're all running around, she's yelling, and you look, and 1 looks dazed and confused, that's the one on unneeded medication, the people with hyperactivity, eat too much sugar! attention deficit? didn't come out until all the video games where invented. kids need lots, TONS, of exercise, rest and fuel! adults with it, have too much time on their hands!

Answer 8

It does exist the problem is tho that 95% of the peopel diagnosed with it dotn reall yhave it they just are a really energetic person that lieks to have fun or they are jsut to stupid to know when to sit there *** down and shut the hell up. doctors are perscription happy with prescribing drugs. drugs should only be used when nessasary. every drug is a posion no matter what it does it is a poison its the sideeffects of thos poisons that we use as a drug for example u takea poison to make urself feel less pain painkillers. they are astill a poison and hurt u no matter what you think and it should only be used when absolutly nessasary. even if a kid really has adhd they should only be on meds if it is absolutly needed

Answer 9

I share your sentiments. Sometimes, I think that because of America's "pride" and all, they refuse to plainly say that a person is energetic while some are more on the sedentary side. No, they have to name it - in this case ADHD. It's really funny because in 3rd world countries, there's no such thing as ADHD...

Answer 10

If all the kids didn't have it, what would the
drug company's do with all the drugs they have for it?

Oh, I believe there are some kids that need help but
not nearly as many as are now being treated for it.
The drugs treat unruly brats more than really sick kids.
It keeps them quiet while Momma does her "Thing",
and Teachers won't have to take Valium. H-m-m-m.