How do you know absolutely positive that your child has ADD?

Question

the doctors thought my daughter might have add but the medicine made her worse. Was the diagnosis wrong? If so how can they absolutely positively diagnose something like this?

Answer 1

www.oneaddplace.com has all the info you need-even a symptom checklist that are sure.positive signs of ADD although not everyone has all its a very good guide. and packed full of information. From my experience found ADD first noticeable for the child is very easily distracted by stimuli in the environment, the ADD child is bombarded by all that's in its environment and the brain does not put all in order as with non-ADD, also a common trait I noticed is that ADD children talk-a lot. They start several tasks but rarely finish even one due to their easy distraction and the brain not zeroing on just one task or idea. Usually medication will slow the brain so the child is able to now receive signals and stimuli in the singular instead the plural. Sometimes it also takes trying different medications until the one that works for the individual child and the correct dosage(very important ) is found and so it takes patience . Most are stimulants but there is one that is not-can't remember name but is a blue capsule. There are conditions where the symptoms overlap. Was in foster care for many years and rare it was to get a child who did not have either Add or ADHD-most had ADHD. Good luck

Answer 2

ADD is one of those things that cannot ABSOLUTELY-POSITIVELY-WITHOUT A DOUBT be diagnosed in someone as there is not ONE definitive test for it. It's usually a diagnosis derived from how you answer a behavioral questionnaire about your daughter and from observations about her by her teacher, her doctor, and you and her dad. A lot of docs/psych people are quick to slap on the label of ADD without exploring other possibilities. Why? Because it's convenient, it's "popular", and sometimes because they don't really know what's going on. Sad, but true.

About the medication issue...brain chemistry/functioning in ADD people is different than "normal" people. For this reason, stimulants (which is what ADD meds are) work opposite in an ADD brain than they do in normal brain. Instead of making a person hyped up...they actually calm the person down and allow them to focus more readily. If your daughter is not responding this way, then chances are she doesn't have ADD.

Answer 3

My daughter has been diagnosed with ADHD.I know alot about this problem that many children are plagued with today.It took a couple med changes to find the right one,but when in doubt,you can go to add.com.It has many answers to different questions.I knew something was wrong when she couldnt sit still through a 15 minute cartoon much less a 2 minute commercial,constantly having to move like she was restless,always biting on something,putting her hands in her mouth.She would be looking at something,and anything would catch her attention and distract her.A simple direction as an example,take off your shoes,put them away and hang up your backpack...she would take off her shoes and couldnt remember or do what the rest was. There are different types off add.Look up the website.I hope all this info helps.If you would like to hear more,you can email me,Id be glad to help!

Answer 4

ADD or attention deficit disorder is determined by testing as well as symptoms. Since there are so many medications to treat it, as well as there are patient side-effects, the diagnosis may have been correct, but the prescription wasn't. Each individual is different, especially in children. You might want to get a second opinion, or ask your doctors to try a different medicine. Sometimes you have to try several until you get the right formula.

Answer 5

Yes doctors can be wrong...I know, shocking! And I have to say that I feel the medical profession has the goal of medicating every last one of us for something. Do some homework on your child's symptoms, get more opinions, and don't push the meds on your child. Many times I think with extra effort there are other ways to resolve this issue than pushing pills at them.

Answer 6

probably she is justlazy they thought i ahd add and i did but then i grew out of it but i still have signs of it. go get her tested ask the doctor. take her to a phsyciatrist. i hated it but it helped. whatever you do get her on time released adderal that works the best for me. strattera didnt work at all it made it worse. just try her on a diff. medicine

Answer 7

They don't know absolutely. They can only deduce it by symptoms and her response to meds or other treatment. The meds may just have been at the wrong dosage.

Answer 8

you can get a second opinion from a child psychiatrist, it is well known that add is being over diagnosed in usa, good luck

Answer 9

ADD does not even exsist. Its just a dumbass thing made up so people can have something to blame their lazy on. What you need to do is beat it out of your kid.