When I was growing up, there was no such thing as ADD/ADHD....but it seems to me that today all kinds of kids are on medication for either ADD/ADHD, or Bi-Polar Disorder, or depression. What's really going on...??
2007-06-14 09:59:26 · 8 answers · asked by Rockin Mama 2 in Health ➔ Mental Health
I think children grow up too fast sexually and are being pushed too hard mentally to achieve a nebulous "success." The labeling comes about from society and parents turning on the under achievers in an effort to remedy their supposed deviation from the normal. There really is no "norm."
One of the best books ever written on social stratification was by the late Stephen J. Gould entitled "The Mismeasure of Man." about IQ. It seems in his opinion that IQ measures nothing that has to do with an ability to function well. IQ is an American invention designed to reward only those who are socially desirable, that is those who the elite approve of. Gould was an elite member, a proffesor at Harvard. A low IQ denotes one as being inferior as does a diagnosis of ADD/ADHD.
The ideas of inferiority that these children gain from their elders and peers is a stigma that follows them and leads to either a physical or mental revolt or both. Depression and the rising rate of teen suicide seems to me to be and denote an epidemic.
FromGould's book I take this quote by Charles Darwin:
"If the misery of our poor be caused not by the laws of nature, but by our institutions, great is our sin." Not all depressed, Bi-polar, ADD/ADHD children are poor but most are afraid of being so or are a victim of their parents and teachers fear of being so; a fear placed there by our society's emphasis on "success".
Good luck, good health, peace and love!
2007-06-14 11:34:53 · answer #1 · answered by Mad Mac 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am a sophomore in HS, and I am ADD. I think that it is offensive when people do make jokes about the ADD/ADHD kids because it is really uncalled for and rude. No, kids today are not being labeled by Doctors just so they can make money. The technology available is much better, and the adults that suffer from the diseases that you mentioned are just now finding out they actually do have them. It is better for the child to know that they are going through something, than for them just to assume that it's part of who they are and they need to get used to it. In 6th grade, I found out about my ADD, and I had average grades (B). I changed to my new and more challenging
school in 7th grade, and held the same grades. In 8th grade, my parents put me on medication, and I maintained a steady A average all year. The same happened this year. My courses were Humane Letters, Music III, Poetry I, Latin III, Biology, and Geometry.
2007-06-14 10:07:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I believe they are, sometimes, but if they have parents that get 2nd and 3rd oppinions, they are not. My son is 6 and has ADHD and it took me 3 doctors and as many years to finally medicate him when he was out of control and hurt himself by accident. but when I was a little girl 10 year olds didn't get thier period or breasts and pubic hair either...I believe a lot has to do with the crap they put in the fillers and additives ... esp. the chickens we eat. I was diagnosed with bipolar when I was 15 and that was 18 yrs ago when it wasn't "cool", I believe all of these diagnosis were always there, but the environment has made it worse.
2007-06-14 12:44:41 · answer #3 · answered by steelgal 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well ADD/ADHD is a real touchy issue but I think doctors might be labeling them to quickly. Bipolar and depression are serious conditions that should be treated.
2007-06-14 10:05:05 · answer #4 · answered by Sammy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well, things like depression and ADD run in families. as time goes on, the population on earth is growing rapidly. it may seem that everyone is just getting labeled for it, but really it could be becuase of family history. diseases spread into families and they grow faster than they loose people. those disorders or diseases are growing, along with our world's population.
2007-06-14 11:29:15 · answer #5 · answered by * 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In your day, believe it or not- there were kids with these disfunctions.... They were not diagnosed and labeled because scientist were not finished researching these things...Some things cant just be labeled...There are test, both physical and mental to qualify you as one of these things...there are brain waves that differ from a "normal" human beings brain waves, indicating that these conditions are very real.. I find that we are not too quick to label because usually the diagnosis is accurate- we are however, guilty of doping our kids up on god knows what kind of medicine. I think some things without a doubt needs to be treated with medicine....other things need to be cured by parents if you catch my drift!
2007-06-14 10:04:53 · answer #6 · answered by Enchanted One 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
there are people with bad personality traits
there are people with legitamate mental issues
there are people who have BOTH
and, yes, i know people who have been misdiagnosed or labled in haste as there are people who have been long overdue to be treated at all
2007-06-14 11:00:38 · answer #7 · answered by George 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
definitely, just tell the kid to SNAP OUT OF IT, you know you can make mental disorders just disappear like that!
2007-06-14 11:18:03 · answer #8 · answered by Black Meowth 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋