Why do some doubt the existence of ADD / ADHD?

Question

I already know that many many kids are overdiagnosed or wrongly diagnosed. Just a few weeks ago, I came across a mom whose son was on an extremely high dose of stimulants and she wanted to up it since "he's not as calm as I would like", and the kid was like a zombie. And don't even mention the college students who try to get diagnosed just so they can get a prescription for the meds to study harder. I know about all that, and it's unfortunate.

I've had ADHD since I was in preschool, but my mom didnt believe in meds so she never took me to a doctor about it. I did it myself two decades later, I was skeptical but the difference using Concerta has been astounding. It actually relaxes me and has no odd side effects, I feel like I have a new life.

So aside from the first reasons, why do people doubt it exists? Do you think just because theyre not familiar with it and have never had it? Why do Scientologists dislike medicating it? I just dont understand, I know its real so why do they care

Answer 1

There are a lot of reasons why people doubt the existence of ADD/ADHD -- and they include ignorance of the symptoms, misinformation from dubious sources, not willing to understand the conditions, and prejudice -- including that prejudice by quasi-religious-cults that push their beliefs onto their members (T Cruise sound familiar here!)

I am a Long Term Single Parent (FINALLY -- I am Empty-Nesting Single) who did raise two children with disabilities -- one has Asperger's Syndrome (High Functioning Autism) and the other has Severe ADHD. I made sure, as the Responsible parent that I am -- that MY children were diagnosed properly, were treated with medication (as necessary -- psychiatrist), Therapy (therapists), and other help as required (including making sure that they were properly diagnosed with the related Learning Disabilities and were Tested for Giftedness (which they were also) in the Educational Setting -- which meant that they had Classroom Aides).

BOTH my children were helped through medication management -- and yes, the meds had to be evaluated constantly, and as they grew, the medications were rotated to provide them with the most benefit --

Mainly because Medications do NOT completely remove the symptoms or provide a 'cure' --

The Meds are there to HELP the child gain the personal CONTROL over their symptoms to allow them to sit down, study for longer than 30 seconds at a time, to help them with the distractability issues, and to help them in the classroom setting (and at work, or whatever they were doing).

As adults now, they are making their own choices -- and sometimes they are not for the best -- one is definitely refusing to take their meds -- and it IS affecting their schooling -- and the grades suffered.

BEFORE anyone can take a stand or put down a parent for having their child diagnosed, treated, and helped, they really NEED To be responsible for the 24/7 daily needs and care for a child or adult with ADD/ADHD. And this is a DIFFICULT and CHALLENGING role for ANY parent to take on, much less a Single Parent (like what I did).

So in reality, this Single Parent just ignores the comments (and considering the sources of the comments -- I had to refrain from laughing at the prejudice and ignorance), and went onward and did what was best for MY children. Because when push comes to shove -- it is the SINGLE PARENT (me) who had to provide for ALL Their needs.

Good for you for taking charge of your condition. YOU are already doing more than most adults would do (by recognizing you need help) and that is commendable. That you feel the start of a NEW LIFE means that you are responding favorably to the efforts of the medical community to treat your condition, and you are succeeding through YOUR efforts as well.

Answer 2

I think ADD/ADHD are hard to diagnose on a small child. Its not like the doctor can just do a blood test and say 100% that this child has it. Its all based on the way the child behaves.

I read an article on ADHD and they had a set of points to look out for on your child to see if they have it..... My son was 2 questions of having it. I don't believe he is anything like the kids they describe, he is a loving child, does well at school and have lots of friends.. He does have a short attention span at home, he will start something and then go on to something else, he doesn't stop jumping and dancing and singing the whole time he is awake (during weekends) at school he is one of the best behaved kids and is also a year ahead of the class.

When a doctor tries to diagnose these things and if the answers that are given are slightly exaggerated then you have a child that is being drugged to satisfy a parents wish for a quieter child. There needs to me months of tests, home visits and school visits in my view before you can say that some child has ADD or ADHD.

Answer 3

The anti-psychiatry movement is rather interesting. I don't think add/adhd is a disorder but, I do believe it exists. I don't think that children should be medicated and I think parents who do that are monsters who have no care for their childrens well being. Just look at the long term effects of that medication. Things like drug abuse/drug addiction and anxiety and depression come up a lot.

As for scientologists, I can only laugh. Geez. They are a funny cult.

Answer 4

i think it's mostly because of the reasons you first said. doctors and parents going crazy with prescribing it.

scientologists don't believe in medicating anything or anyone at all. they've actually had a law suit about it. a family accused them of the death of their daughter because the scientologists would give her no medicine and mistreated her. also like the highly publicized 'natural birth' of scientologist tom cruise and katie holmes' baby.

Answer 5

Because it's funny that someone with ADD is excused from having to fulfill obligations in school and work because they "don't have the attentions span", and they can go home and plant it on the sofa and watch a 2 1/2 hour movie without moving or play Nintendo for hours without taking any responsibility. It's a farce, and another thing to BLAME when people don't like something!!!

Answer 6

You are entitled to your opinion.... that doesn't make you right though. It is likely overdiagnosed but it is a real disorder and until you meet someone who really struggles with it you are likely to not believe it is real....... You don't believe in Bipolar either do you?

Answer 7

Because ADD/ADHD did not exist until video games, cable TV, computers, and a rampant outbreak of single parent homes. The fact that you can actually state seriously that you had ADHD as a preschooler is laughable.

Parents want to be their child's best friend. Discipline in the home is non-existent. If ADD/ADHD does exist; it is the most over-diagnosed disease in the history of the world.

Good for your mother.

I went to medical school. I saw parents trying to put their child on ADD/ADHD medication. It was pathetic. Of course meds calm people down. That is what foreign chemicals on your brain will do.

Everyone seems desperate to have a disability nowadays.
I am unapologetic in my opinion.

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Answer 8

I don't know. I doubt the existance of Santa Claus and the tooth fairy though.

Answer 9

I think it doesn't exist and its just an excuse. I bet in rare cases it is though. Just not in as many people. The doctors just gave most of them excuses to act the way they do.

Answer 10

its probably because it is just recently been efectively treated