does ADHD really exist or is it just an excuse for bad behaviour + lack of disclipine?

Answer 1

I think it exists at least in some people, Having said that, I have known young people who use even the mildest ADHD as an excuse for everything from bad behaviour, and indeed it takes a lot to help keep young people with ADHD in line and focused on school work.
I might add, I was diagnosed with ADHD at about age 8. My mum chose to work double duty to teach me how to control myself.
I have used these same techniques in helping two teenagers, having been there myself.
One has managed to stay in school
The other, now 19 is happily living on his own, has a good job, and made it with school.
Basically, I told them their excuses did not hold, and told them how my mum helped me.
I ought to also say Mum was prepared, she read as much as she could about it, and was really good at tying better behaviors to better outcomes.
I am right now working on my second Master's in psychology--not bad for a kid who had next to no ability to follow teacher instruction or not misbehave.
In all the psychology I have read, I have yet to have found anything to say mum's way was not sound.
And yes, she would go so far as to tell school people to bugger, and also the MD. She refused to have me doped up.

Answer 2

if only it could even be considered an "excuse" .
HA.... In my expereince schools and teachers /administrators often have woefully poor understanding of the current facts from research about these and other disorders. I'm sure some areas and schools are different.
The old "pull yourself up" and overcome it theory is usually in effect, even though it has been proven to exist and to need treatmnt,often with appropriate meds. Natural methods also help like a regular routine,good nutrition, allowing movement in the classroom and encouraging frequent outdoor exercise can also be incorprated to keep the mind's own natural system to help the child focus.Some may find that's all they need, but others undoubtedly benefit a great deal from the tried and true safe stimulant drugs. Those that appear "drugged" may have been misdiagnosed as the true ADHD'ers have a different response to stimulants by becoming more calm and focused rather than hyped up. ON the contrary, an untreated ADHD child can appear drugged, being overstimulated and out of control;prone to frequent melt-downs or fighting.Or the ADD'ers(no hyperactiviity) can be dreamy and distracted, unable to keep focus but not hyeractive at all.
Remember when premenstrual syndrome was considered to be women who were "mad"(crazy in todays terms) and depression was a shameful thing and that a person should just snap out of it? Or epileptics who were deemed possessed and needed to be exorcised? Those approaches were disproved and we moved on. A diagnosis shouldnt be an excuse, just a map to help direct one to the destiny w/o falling into the potholes.We do not deny the diabetic insulin or blame them, even though we know there are lifestyle issues in that and other diseases as well that need to be controlled.
Also remember bad behaviour can co-exist with ADHD or any other disorder. The emphasis should be on praise for good behaviour and the expectation that each child can and will suceed -slef fulfilling prophecy is a powerful tool. Discipline/punishment should also exist and be consistent and fair.
Too many kids undiagnosed are missing out on their chance to be treated and succeed more in school and their lives, before being labeled as being "bad" and turning to drugs/alcohol/ delinquent behaviour to fill the gaps.

Answer 3

I believe it does exist in a lot of children and adults but it is used by too many doctors now to diagnose children with behavioural problems as a 'quick fix'. My eldest daughter had serious behavioural problems from an early age, uncontrollable tantrums, destructive, not concentrating, not sleeping etc and a doctor said it could be ADHD and to see a specialist. I believed it was food related and by trial and error eliminated it to Aspartame, which when I had all the facts and test diaries I had done was eventually diagnosed. She is now a perfectly healthy normal little girl and her 'symptoms' of ADHD disappeared when I removed Aspartame from her diet. I think that if Doctors suggest trying a different diet before jumping to the ADHD conclusion first, many children will be 'cured' spontaneously. But it all comes down to the time and money parents and doctors spend trying to sort the problem out and it is easier and quicker and more cost effective to make this quick ADHD diagnosis.

Answer 4

Yes it does exist. My son has had it since he was diagnosed at 6. I believe it was present well before then but I couldn't get the doctors to listen to me. He does have a chemical imbalance in his brain which makes communication, understanding and the ability to sit still quite difficult. I would challenge anybody to tell me anything different.

He takes 24 hour medication and still doesn't sit still, he attends a special school and trys hard everyday. Children can be very misunderstood in that they are purely misbehaving but my son showed signs that he wasn't 'normal' from age 2.

He was slow to walk, talk and communicate properly and it took until age 6 to get a firm diagnosis. That said, yes doctors can 'label' children with ADHD because they show signs and are given a checklist for the parents to see.

You have to be really careful not to assume athat because a child is naughty or hyperactive that they have the condition. The best thing to do is to look at their diet. I cut out processed foods, chocolate and sweets. They were the triggers but his behaviour was questionable.

I would say to anyone before embarking on a trip to the doctors, check what they are eating and cut out all those triggers. Medication on diagnoses should be the very last resort.

Answer 5

It certainly exists and can be inherited. I had severe ADHD when I was younger (although there wasn't a name for it back then), but pretty much out-grew it. I still have some of the symptoms, but I seem to be able to control them.
My son was also diagnosed a few years ago. We tried everything (behaviour therapy, parenting classes, diet, self-help books, positive reinforcement etc) - nothing helped. That's when we resorted to trying medication.
My son now has lots of friends and is a 'normal' boisterous boy. He is able to concentrate and learn. His medication has not had any bad effect on him - unfortunately that is not the case with everyone.

However, I do agree that too many children are diagnosed, all too easily, as having ADHD.

Answer 6

I believe it DOES exist. I do not believe that every child who is diagnosed or medicated for ADHD really has it. I think there are two reasons for this: 1. Some people are making excuses for bad behavior and lack of discipline (as you have sais). 2. Some children have problems and some parents, teachers, etc. do not want to take the extra time to help them or teach them by different methods.

I just love the people who say that they KNOW a child has ADHD because as soon as the child was medicated his/her behavior changed. Well, of course it did, the child is drugged now.

Answer 7

i have been diagnosed with ADHD. quite severe. it can sometimes run in the family.

i was brought up quite strict and although i hated my parents for it at the time im grateful for it.

yes it does exist its a chemical imbalence in the brain. as time goes on the child learns how to deal with it themselfs. i have but do need help sometimes.

however i think there are a number of kids that just say they have it and they dont, thats quite annoying, especially when you have been though everything before you get a diagnosis. i would also say that yes some people do use it as an excuse, however when i misbehave i dont realise it at the time but after i have carmed down i do realise and i try to correct this when i remember what i did. but yes it is hard. hyperactivity is also a problem but agian you get to know what to do in that situation

Answer 8

Careful research has clearly shown a strong genetic component in ADHD. Hence, if you are a twin with ADHD, your co-twin is far more likey to have it as well if an identical rather than fraternal twin. Bad behaviour is inherited. Which is not to say that behaviour modification techniques are pointless. See many good television programs for dramatic effects of a structured (not punitive) environment.

Answer 9

I am doing a psychology degree and i wonder sometimes whether professionals put labels on people, the thing is when they do, people are apt to behave in the way the label describes them. It may not be bad behaviour only, the child could be unhappy not get enough praise, encouragement, not given attention their can be all manner of reasons. Maybe not the right discipline, maybe parents without self control. I dont, really like labels. Sometimes they help if they are correct but they are not always right.

Answer 10

You'll probably find that the tiniest percentage is for real, the rest are just using it as an excuse for irritating and bad behaviour. Much the same applies to most of the people who claim to be dyslexic. I suspect that very few are for real, the rest just use it as an excuse for having been too lazy to learn anything in the reading and writing stakes at school.