Do you think ADHD is real and/or over prescribed?
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Anonymous
| I have such mixed feelings. I have one Dc on meds, it helps. Another dc is likely headed down same path as teachers want an evaluation. Thoughts? |
Anonymous
| Oh it's real. A lot if ADHD kids can't take mess because there so skinny and don't weight enough. The kids who eat like there is no tomorrow but burn it just by fidgeting. |
Anonymous
| who cares, if the medicine is helping him? |
Anonymous
| NP here. Is huge appetite but skinny a sign of ADHD? I have a kid like that (along with many other impulsive/ hyperactive symptoms). Was told its not quite enough for ADHD diagnosis though. Having just been through this it seems pretty subjective. A few more Oftens vs Sometimes on the rating scales probably would have gotten him diagnosed. |
Anonymous
|
Longterm effects.....?
Unknown. |
Anonymous
| I can only speak for my kids. It is real and the medication makes their lives and mine and DH's life so much more enjoyable. |
Anonymous
| Of course its real. |
Anonymous
In my experience they are eating so much food because their body's burn it so fast because they are so hyper and move around so much. Some kids just jump literally jump all the time and can't stop. |
Anonymous
|
ADHD is very real and, on the whole, not over-diagnosed or over-medicated. Are there people who game the system to get the medication? Certainly. Are there populations where it is diagnosed because other factors aren't accounted for? Certainly. Does that mean it deserves the scorn and condemnation that it frequently receives? No way.
I'm so very glad my DSs are receiving appropriate treatment. My brothers weren't so lucky and the consequences have been horrific. |
Anonymous
| Well said, PP. Treat as necessary and not in a vacuum. Meds in addition to supplemental behavioral and/or cognitive therapy or executive functioning tutoring. |
Anonymous
| I do not believe in drugging peoplr. ADHD is made up. |
Anonymous
DS cannot learn without his meds. I finally got diagnosed at age 46 after a whole life of wondering what the hell was wrong with me. I can literally feel the light turn on when I take them and I know when I forget to take them! huge difference. I wish I had been diagnosed and medicated as a child, my academic life would have been more successful. |
Anonymous
There are longterm side effects for those who do not take meds. Maturity and learning is greatly delayed. |
Anonymous
You forgot to mention the disproportionate number of people with ADHD in the prison population. |
Anonymous
We're not medicating. We're coping without it. I don't condemn people who do medicate, but I think there are good reasons NOT to medicate. Forcing the brain to mature that way may not be helpful. Late maturation of the prefrontal cortex may have a point. Gifted kids ALSO have late prefrontal maturation. ADHD seems to include a capacity for more creativity and rapid decision making. http://eideneurolearningblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/cognition-without-control-adhd-gifted.html http://eideneurolearningblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/adhd-creativity-and-reduced-inhibition.html http://eideneurolearningblog.blogspot.com/2012/04/is-impulsivity-bad-thing.html And medication is not the end all/be all. Medication doesn't seem to improve long term outcomes. http://eideneurolearningblog.blogspot.com/2009/04/adhd-drugs-no-long-term-benefits.html http://www.nimh.nih.gov/news/science-news/2009/short-term-intensive-treatment-not-likely-to-improve-long-term-outcomes-for-children-with-adhd.shtml |