10:27 here. Totally agree with 10:39.

ADHD is absolutely real but it is over diagnosed and over mediated here. The worldwide prevalence and prevalence in other developed countries is about 5%.

Many doctors here seem to still diagnosed based on a behavioral checklist - which is a terrible way to diagnose. Not all kids who are hyperactive, distracted, impulsive etc are ADHD. Those behaviors on the checklist could actually be stemming from any number of things - one of which could be ADHD. Often though when the checklists are used, all kids with those behaviors end up being told they have ADHD - hence the overdiagnosis. ADHD should be diagnosed through neuropsych testing.

Short term use of ADHD meds has been shown to be very effective. It helps kids with ADHD to be able to function academically and socially and fewer problems in those areas also means better emotional health. There isn't good efficacy over the long term which is why using the years while the child is on medication to really work on cognitive-behavioral aspects is so important.

I'm raising a child with firm limits, discipline, and love. I read tons of parenting books. Think he will end up diagnosed with ADHD. Previously, I thought it was bunk, much like you do.

That's the word NO.

I'm going to get flamed for this, but here goes...some of the most misbehaved children I know are diagnosed with ADHD. Interestingly enough, their parents are the most ineffective, passive and permissive adults.

I've yet to meet a child with ADHD who's raised in a strict but loving, disciplined household with firm limits, consistent boundaries, a set schedule and a healthy dose of the word n and benign neglect as needed. We're raising self-centered, entitled brats.

Go ahead, tell me that you are raising your child this way and he/she is gifted, healthy, quirky, etc. but despite your loving interventions...

We've gotten so afraid of blaming Mother or accusing the parents of neglect that experts tend to gloss over or claim the home environment is relevant.

Anonymous wrote:Longterm effects.....?
Unknown.

Not true. Ritalin has been around for a long time and proven safe in the longterm. New meds like Adderall and Vyvanse are very similar.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about it is real and over diagnosed? NYT had an article on this just today saying some of the pioneers in ADHD are really worried that some 15 Percent high school kids are taking drugs when they believe the true prevalence should be about 5 percent.

+1.

It is real. It is also over-diagnosed. And underdiagnosed. These things can both be true at the same time.

Some kids who truly have ADHD are undiagnosed b/c parents/teachers are clueless; some kids who truly have ADHD are correctly diagnosed and benefit greatly from meds; some kids who truly do NOT have ADHD are inappropriately diagnosed with ADHD by sloppy docs/hysterical parents/lazy teachers and so on, and are given completely unnecessary medication.

only real moral of the story here: get a full neurospsych workup and don't rely on any diagnosis made solely on the basis of reported symptoms; don't jump to conclusions; seek second opinions.

I think this is the best answer.

I think it is pretty obvious that it is both overdiagnosed and overmedicated in this country. I am not saying it is a made up condition, there are certainly kids who have it and some may benefit from medication, but not at the rate that we see here. The fact is, Americans like medications - you see that with anti-depressants as well. Europeans have a much more cautious approach to this.

This recent article in the New York Times on the topic was pretty disturbing:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/15/health/the-selling-of-attention-deficit-disorder.html?ref=health&_r=0

Anonymous wrote:Flu and ear infections don't need medication. Strep, yes.

Okay... You are more than welcome to let your kids ear drum burst.

Broken bones don't Need pain medication either. Good luck with that.

Anonymous wrote:What about it is real and over diagnosed? NYT had an article on this just today saying some of the pioneers in ADHD are really worried that some 15 Percent high school kids are taking drugs when they believe the true prevalence should be about 5 percent.

+1.

It is real. It is also over-diagnosed. And underdiagnosed. These things can both be true at the same time.

Some kids who truly have ADHD are undiagnosed b/c parents/teachers are clueless; some kids who truly have ADHD are correctly diagnosed and benefit greatly from meds; some kids who truly do NOT have ADHD are inappropriately diagnosed with ADHD by sloppy docs/hysterical parents/lazy teachers and so on, and are given completely unnecessary medication.

only real moral of the story here: get a full neurospsych workup and don't rely on any diagnosis made solely on the basis of reported symptoms; don't jump to conclusions; seek second opinions.

What about it is real and over diagnosed? NYT had an article on this just today saying some of the pioneers in ADHD are really worried that some 15 Percent high school kids are taking drugs when they believe the true prevalence should be about 5 percent.

Flu and ear infections don't need medication. Strep, yes.

Anonymous wrote:I do not believe in drugging peoplr. ADHD is made up.

You should tell that to your doctor next time your child has strep or the flu or an ear infection just,let it work itself out.

I believe it is real but I don't think it is 1 thing. I think it is a conglomeration of different things.

I don't thnk we understand it or know how to treat it.

I don't think we define it well and people who don't deal with it think itis something it is not.

Medication works for some and not for others. The only way to know is to prescribe drugs, take the and figure out if things get better. So I do think people that should not take the drug are prescribed it, but the alternate (not giving meds to figure it out) is a worse option.

Anonymous wrote:I do not believe in drugging peoplr. ADHD is made up.

That's nice. Where did you earn your PhD in neuroscience? Or do you have an MD?