ADD, etc.?

Question

I look around today at all the kids who are medicated for attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity and all kinds of similar disorders. I can't remember kids being like that and needing to be medicated way back when I was in school. Is it just me or is lack of discipline the problem these days, where it's easier to drug a kid than discipline him or her?

Phred, I agree. We consume so much that is so bad for us and the results are not at all good. Stuff is put in our food and most of it we don't even know about.

Answer 1

Hi LadyG .. When you were growing up and when I was growing up in the 70's & early 80's we didnt have the 'convenience' foods that are available today, if we wanted cookies or cake our mothers made them from scratch, soda and sweets were a weekend treat and our meals we made from fresh produce. There are so many additives in all foods today that we are literally consuming a chemical cocktail every time we have a meal, our kids are overloaded with these chemicals and according to many specialists that is the reason so many of our kids are suffering ADHA, hyperactivity and other behavioural & learning problems. I am not saying that chemical intolerance is the sole reason but I really believe that it is a big part of it

Answer 2

I think all of the above replies are correct. Fast food and food mixes are coctails of chemical preservatives and whatnot. It has to be contributing. There could be others things at play, as well.

I look back to when I was in school. By today's standards, I would have been labeled ADD. That wasn't my problem at all. It was boredom combined with hearing problems. I wasn't smarter than anyone else, but due to severe hearing loss (fixed right after I started school), I learned how to read early. As a result, those old "reading circles" were torture to me. I couldn't concentrate, or keep my place in the story.

The teacher also insisted on placing me front and center in the room so I could hear her. That's the one place in the room I CAN'T hear as the room tends to swallow the sound. As a result, I was always accused of not listening.

I believe the world we live in is happier medicating than finding out WHY we have ADD, depression, etc. My own son was diagnosed ADD by the school psychologist. It turned out he just had excess energy and when we found a way to divert that energy into something he enjoyed, his school work improved and he had no further problems. He didn't require meds.

Note: My hearing was fixed surgically, but I've never had full hearing. Thank heavens for closed captioning. :)

Answer 3

I've often wondered the same thing myself. And now they're even talking about Adult Attention Deficit Disorder.

I guess at a certain age, it simply becomes Alzheimer's or senility?

People are obsessed with fad diets and workouts that seemingly change from week to week. Are people really eating well and getting the right kinds of exercise?

I strongly favor turning off the TV (and the computer, too) and getting out to DO something that isn't shopping.

Answer 4

It has NOTHING to do with food products.

There is no such thing as ADD or ADHD. It is called bad parenting. The kids tell the parents what they will do & not do. You can see it no matter where you go or where you look. The parents are afraid of their own kids.

HOW can all these kids have the same disease? Now parents are coming up with adult ADD or adult ADHD. Is it contagious??
Teachers love it. The kids line up for their meds & return to the classrooms like zombies. They just sit & stare. No noise between the kids, no talking back to the teacher, just zone out.

Parents don't have time for kids any more. They spend a lot of time picking up & dropping off for activities. How many parents still spend quality time in the evening after dinner with the kids? DINNER? What is dinner?

We have a very sad situation on our hands. I feel bad for the kids of today.

Answer 5

There are more children attending school than there used to be. In the old days, if you had any kind of defect, they shut you away in an institution. My son is autistic, but he is also an honor student. I am so thankful that he wasn't in school 40 years ago. He is now able to show exactly what he can do. I might also add that I don't necessarily agree with medication. They have tried for years to get us to put him on medication and we refused.

Answer 6

I have often wondered the same thing. I wonder at what time did a child stopped hearing "shame on you" this kept me in tow. Also children aren't children they act older but don't have the knowledge that goes with experience to make judgments. They do seem to be smarter but this could be credited with having so much more of everything. Watching Leno at night when he talks to the public and asks questions of those of college age shows that they aren't so smart. OOPS! Got off the subject. Sorry!

Answer 7

The inability to concentrate seems to develop in disfunctional homes where there is stress for the child. Loud TV 24hrs a day, parents fighting, screaming or mistreating the children. They learn to tune out to surviive. The mind detaches from the environment. When quiet concentration is demanded their mind (and body) goes anywhere but here.

Answer 8

Teachers are just plain lazy and some parents too, Easier to drug then deal with the problem.

Answer 9

there are changes in our social structure besides the food area which should also be considered. the child may have a chemical imbalance in their makeup. some may also be allergic to certain types of food or dyes in clothing which can contribute to the problem. my nephew was found to be allergic to a certain chemical used in dying colored socks and once he switched to wearing white socks or having white socks next to his skin with colored socks over them he was fine.

Answer 10

your right pill em up and say its "wrong" to discipline children.
We are going to really have a drug problem when that generation comes to age