Should kids with ADD (attention deficit disorder) take pills?

Question

I work with kids and a few of them have told me that they have trouble focusing because they haven't taken their pills or that their pills have worn off.
I feel it's wrong that kids should be taking drugs for ADD. I think ADD is overhyped and kids with lots of energy just need to go outside and play or get involved with other activites - NOT take pills to sedate them. I think their extra energy can be used to do constructive things.

What do you think: Is ADD a real disorder? Should kids be taking pills for ADD?

Answer 1

I think parents should be very careful before accepting a label or drugs for their kids. Kids blossom at different times. Also, we are not all created the same. So what if some kids are slower or more hyper? If they are happy, what's the problem? Society! That's the problem. They want to make cookie cutter people. But there has to be another solution other than drugging our youth.

My husband and I know of a man who was kicked out of school for retradation, so they thought. This was probably 80 years ago. We had a problem with our car. The timing chain went out. This use to be a big project to repair in a vehicle 30 years ago. Someone referred us to this same man who had been denied an education. He was the only man around who could fix our car at that time, and he was in his 60's. He did it by himself and charged us such a reasonable fee that we gave him a generous tip. He and his wife were very nice people.

Answer 2

Contrary to what some of the above answers suggest, there is definitely an Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), and taking medication for it certainly helps. However, I believe that ADD is wrongly diagnosed in a great many cases. This generally starts in the school system where teacher don't want to deal with kids who might be a little more boisterous that they want. They want all their charges to be like zombies. I don't think that kids should be treated for ADD unless this is prescribed by a doctor and only after a complete examination. Too many kids have been put on Ritalin with disastrous results. This should be a decision made by the parents in consultation with the doctor and under no circumstances should parents allow themselves to be pressured by the school system.

Answer 3

ADD is real but HUGELY over diagnosed. Especially in North America. Sometimes it's because too much is expected of the child at their stage of development (expecting a 7 year old to sit and behave like a 12 year old, or even a 7 year old that's more cognitively developed). Sometimes because the child is too young for a true diagnosis.

Answer 4

I think Ellen said it best... we have so many disorders nowadays.. remember when we just had crazy people.... I think some kids may have a hard time focusing due to various issues. I know that my nephew is currently taking medication for this. Although I do not like the fact that he is taking this medication so young, it has made a big difference in his scholastic performance. He was getting into trouble because he was distracting everyone else too. He has not been getting in trouble anymore. I think he may not be challenged enough to be honest though!!! - Hope this helps.

Answer 5

There is no real disorder, no chemical imbalance. Listen to Tom Cruise (I know it's not a good example and I am not fond of the Scientology church, but he is right). Psychiatrists know they don't have the answer. They admit they don't understand the human mind. How can you believe that a pill will fix any behavioural or psychological disorder?
I believe we are a spirit expressing itself through a body.
Give the kids important things to do, and take them to the park, beach, or forest. They'll channel all that extra energy and will soon be able to concentrate.

Answer 6

I believe, after working with children, that there is so much out there these days about certain preservatives in foods causing children to have add like symptoms. I would suggest trying out natural medicines, diets, and doing a lot of research to find out what's out there. Get a few oppinions from a variety of doctors and use chemical medications as a last resort. but yes i do believe it is a real disorder, just very hard to diagnose correctly

Answer 7

yes this is a real disorder. i have add. it is really tuff to study with my meds. if they have adhd(Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) they need the meds to calm them in a class room or else they will get into trouble for disruption. its not that they have extra energy its they don't pay attention and have their minds on other things. some kids do need meds and some don't

Answer 8

Just my opinion, but from what I've seen in my own family and with friends the only kids I've known with ADD are kids whose parents do not spend much time with them, who are not very involved in their lives, and use the pills to keep them calm so they won't bother them.

Answer 9

I don't think pills are going to do any thing good to children with ADD. So better try these coping skills on ADD i.e. attention deficit disorder in children, which i found it while surfing for ADD on net http://www.selfhelpzone.com/attention-deficit-disorder/child-attention-deficit-disorder-help/

Answer 10

If you change a child's diet...no chemicals, processed foods, soft drinks allot of the ADD will go away. More structured exercise. Classes that are structured.....lists of what needs to be done and follow it. They need to stay busy. Following lists with things to do that take only 10 minutes instead of 50 minutes works wonders.