Why do so many people think ADHD is a made-up condition?

Question

I have heard from many experts over the years that ADHD is not real, but that there are kids out there that are just more energetic, and just need more physical outlets. I sometimes wonder if those pundits have ever known an ADHD child.

My cousin was diagnosed as ADHD. At the age of 3, he could not sit still for more than 5 minutes at a time. He could not follow orders. He was up every day at daybreak. All through his teens he was this way.
He has an older brother that is totally normal... very calm and curteous. Both boys grew up in a very disciplined environment, and were involved in tons of outdoor things such as hockey, hunting, and ATV stuff. They did not have a TV, so they spent all their spare time playing.
The point is, this kid was an absolute firewire. Even when he came to visit, he was getting into everything. I have no doubt in my mind that he suffered from something other than just boredom. And yet, 'experts' would say he was not being paid enough attention.

I cannot imagine my aunt and uncle doing anything differntly. They medicated him as little as possible, being rather anti-drug type people. But he was trouble for years.

Can anyone explain why they think his condition was just environmental or made-uup?

Actually, it seems like most doctors believe in the existence of ADHD... I am talking more about those who don't believe in medications, mental health, etc.

For martinamagrace (post # 15):

I did not label his brother as 'good'. Good or bad has nothing to do with this kind of behavior. But seriously, how can my cousin not be ADHD? The poor kid was so hyper... my aunt and uncle worked diligently over the years to help him function on his own (without requiring intervention every few hours). My aunt was a stay-at-home mom, and he never lacked for attention. His dad owns his own ATV business, and was always involving his kids in everything. If it wasn't ADHD, then what was it? He wasn't just 'different'.. he was off the charts. And as a parent of 3 very different and unique children, I can assure you that my cousin was not just bored... he was a bundle of energy that never slowed down... ever.

Answer 1

Unfortunately ADHD is often over used and a quick diagnosis for someone who may actually have other problems. We've lumped all these people together and prescribed strong medications. I've seen both sides of the coin. Parents with bratty kids that they have never taken enough interest in to discipline and teach manners and parents who have tried everything and their child just can't learn, set still and have short attention spans...

I have 3 children and my youngest was diagnosed with a form of dyslexia at age 7. We put her into some vision therapy and she improved drastically. We changed her diet also, and were advised to watch out for foods with additives and high sugar levels.

I think there is a percentage of ADHD children that require medication, but I think parents are anxious for a quick fix and are willing to medicate instead of seeking other venues....

I was fortunate that I had a good pediatrician who suggested a thorough search for an accurate diagnosis. She was seen by a psychiatrist, and tested at a local public school by specialists.(my daughters attended private Christian school) Then collectively I was given an accurate diagnosis.

She was treated by an optomitrist /vision therapist and he told me, The biggest problem your daughter will have is getting through a school system that is set up for an atypical student. Teachers often don't take into consideration that some kids learn visually and others auditory. They have teaching plans that are set up for an average student, when indeed some are about that and others far below. It's a parents responsibility to find out these things about each of your individual children and inform their teachers and encourage them to use both types of teaching.

My daughter is a high functioning adult now.....

Who said being a parent would be easy?

Answer 2

I work with children with learning disabilities. ADD; ADHD, aspergers; autism; tourettes and much more, these disorders and syndromes are very real indeed. Any expert can see the differences in these symptoms.

The oddest thing is, these children are more intelligent than "normal children". Their IQs tend to be higher than the average child. These children are put in to special classes because they often can't function in the regular systems. They're taught by specialized teachers.

One of the boys I have worked with was very hyper (ADHD) until teachers and parents together discovered that what kept his attention was music, art, language. His brain is like a sponge, he absorbs information so much more easily than other children. At the age of 11 he quickly learned how to play a trumpet, then he was composing his own music. Later he learned the sax and the piano. He can sketch complete likenesses of his classmates and family. He speaks five languages.

I've also worked with a child with aspergers syndrome. He is also incredibly intelligent. When last tested, it was discovered that he has the mind of an engineer. He could pass tests that many adults couldn't. Yes, in the beginning it was believed that he had ADD, but his parents and teachers persisted on more tests. Aspergers is a mild form of autism.

Although ADD and ADHD were not known centuries past, it was believed that many of the great composers, artists, writers, scientists, inventers, etc. had the characteristics of some of these disorders/syndromes.

These children are wise beyond their years and many of them tend to be very spiritual as well. :-)

Answer 3

People think it's made up because it's overdiagnosed. There are real cases like your cousin, and then there are your basic average annoying hyper brats. There are a ton of basic average annoying hyper brats, and not many that actually have ADHD. Every kid in the world is diagnosed with something, and so because of this people think it's not real.

The same thing is true with depression. People say "there's no such thing as depression, everybody gets the blues sometimes just deal with it." This is BS because obviously these people have never had experience with real depression - people who can't leave the house, are suicidal, don't eat or sleep normally, etc. There is a difference, but everybody and their mother is on prozac so people say it's not real.

These trends are due in large part to the pharmaceutical industry.

Answer 4

Read This article.

Subject: GSR Biofeedback Protocol for ADHD

http://www.opednews.com/articles/life_a_jasonmar_060608_new_concept_in_testi.htm


A new concept in ADD testing. An objAective physiological measure of ADHD has been elusive. However, research has shown that when an ADD person tries to sit still, do a boring task, or concentrate- they actually enter stress as measured by electro dermal activity. Measuring electron flow in a circuit the body operates largely by a series of electrical impulses which have been shown to follow certain pathways and measure changes in the electrical resistance or the ability of the tissue to conduct electricity. This marker is positive in the majority of ADD clients tested. Then GSR biofeedback may be used to improve the stress result. A protocol using this valid objective physiological marker has just been published in a video- "Guide for GSR Biofeedback Techniques for the Natural ADHD Practitioner".
Resource- video- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/9659025149/

Answer 5

The mind is very unique to each of us. Our minds are so used to our own mind that we can't attempt to understand anything other than the way our mind functions. No one will ever agree. Not everyone will ever understand. Who defines normal? Is the society that defines normal actually normal? To them they may be normal, but to another they are not normal.

You ask, why do many people think ADHD is made up...my answer is that they never had to experienced it. However in my opinion ADHD is more like a personality characteristic than a mental illness.

Answer 6

I don't question ADHD as a valid medical condition, I just object to the term being too easily branded upon children. I think prescribing anything other than life-depending for those so young is setting the foundation for dependence. Perhaps, the child is not "normal" and will never be normal The pharmecutical companies have us all convinced that we are ailing and that we need to buy their product in order to sedate.

Answer 7

I'm not going to say it's not real; I've been diagnosed with an adult version of it after all. What I do think is often times it becomes too easy of a cop-out for parents that just aren't making their kids behave. So-called "modern parenting" is fine and dandy but sometimes junior needs to be put in his place and told no. I see kids in stores these days throwing fits and getting away with stuff that when I was young (not too long ago, I'm only 25) would have landed me in some SERIOUS hot water with my folks.

Answer 8

I have read your question three times. Did you notice that you labeled the "good" cousin as "totally normal?"

Just because their personalities were so different certainly didn't mean the one had ADHD because he was "more spirited".
I do not believe in ADD or ADHD. Everyone is different. Everyone needs different attention. Everyone reacts differently to life. Perhaps the kid did have a problem, but it WAS NOT ADD OR ADHD!

Most people do think as you do about people, especially siblings. And it just isn't right or fair.

Answer 9

It is a real condition, but it is being over-diagnosed, many times at urging of teachers who want cookie cutter kids. No offense to any teachers but this happened to my daughter when the real problem was her eyes did not work right and it's hard to sit still and concentrate when you can't see right or if you mind does not process it right. This makes it hard also on those who do suffer from ADHD

Answer 10

I do think ADD/ADHD is real but I don't think it should always be medicated. My son is ADD and now has a great bunch of teachers. He was not always so lucky. Teachers want kids to all be quiet, neat, etc..... they are not willing to be flexible in the techniques to accomodate kids who are outside of the box. A lot of parents too do not want to deal with "unruly" kids so through pressure from the teachers and parents....the kids are drugged. I have fought with teachers about how my son should be taught and refused to medicated him..... he is smart (IQ 140) and if they would just take the extra few minutes to make sure he is challenged and not bored then things are fine. Not everyone fits "in the box", nor should they.