How do you really know if someone has ADHD?

Question

How do you really know if someone has ADHD when the only test given is a questionaire that is sent to the teacher and parent of the child and some observation.?

Is it right to give a small child drugs to calm him down so that he will fit into society.?

Can anyone answer these questions?.

Answer 1

hi my son has been diagnosed with adhd from the tender age of 5 , he is now 15 years old, some of the answers you have recieved from people are obviously people who know nothingabout adhd, it makes me sick, why bother posting patheyic answers they know nothing about. ..my son was studied at school by a team of psycologists , he had numerous visits at a mental health clinic, before they even thought about prescribing him medication.... you just know your child is different (special) is the word i use..i have been through tears of hell . but so has he, remember its no ones fault, god give you a duty to do , and thats how it is

Answer 2

If it were my child.... I would have them tested by a doctor that specializes in this field! Then if it turned out that the kid did have a problem, I would look into the kids diet... I would contact a professional in that field to see if there was anything that could be done just by changing what the kid eats.... It is amazing how a proper diet can help with health and mental issues.

If it is determined that adhd is present... I would also do a search for alternative medicines and treatment before I put a small child on anything!

Answer 3

i test given to a parent from a teacher in the form of a questionaire isn't medical grounds to prove the said child has ADHD a licensed doctor must put the said child through special tests to diagnose such

Answer 4

ADHD can not be diagnosed by a teacher or parent, and there should be a long period of testing AND observation by a psychiatrist before medications are begun, or a diagnosis is made. Even doctors believe that ADHD is overdiagnosed, but it is a real illness.

Answer 5

having lived with ADD for the past 50+ years I can assure you that it is real. ADD and ADHD can only be determined by a health care professional with experience in dealing with it. The starting point is a physical examination to eliminate non-ADD causes.
Drugs can and do work but only if used with behavior modification.
I agree ADD is over diagnosed by lazy educators . It seems to have become the flavor de jour diagnosis for mis behaving kids . that does not take away simple fact that ADD is real and for the most part treatable'
Good Luck

Answer 6

You really need to get a proper diagnosis from a credible mental health specialist. My BF is a mental health nurse and has a problem with loads of scabby mums getting their kids diagnosed as ADHD on purpose so they can nick their Ritolin. (Not saying that you would do that - but ADHD is diagnosed FAR too easily.)

Answer 7

My 8 y.o nephew has ADD cousin to ADHD...ane he takes Concerta...he is a very hyper child with high intelligence...without his meds he is a "wildcat" I'm proud of my sis for having the insight to see this and help her son

Answer 8

plz read steve biddulph books, raising boys, secret of happy children, co wrote raising girls and manhood.
libraries have a copy. dont administer drugs, there is always a better way, just a matter of finding it drugs will cause other probs poss more serious drugs are bad for the body.

these books will change your life.

Answer 9

my girl/f son 16 adhd terrible illness but help yours dr etcetc
local helpline

Answer 10

someone who has ADHD is hyper, wont stop running around and has non stop energy.. cut all sugar out the diet