Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Whoops... choice... given this adhd dx. Adhd is not just exec fx issues... it’s also emotional regulation challenges etc. while this documentary is correct to help people be mindful of abuse, making it seem so slated is very shaming to parents and adults who benefit from meds. We were not flippant about this and we are both scientists, but I am still human and feel shame and worry after watching something like this (e.g. am I doing the wrong thing? Will he not be able to get off these etc.) this was a tough decision, but we need to go with the data— that these meds can be very helpful for people who have ADHD.

Of course "the data" shows that stimulants can be very helpful for people [with or without ADHD]. You're talking about speed. The same stuff that truckers pop so they can stay awake and drive all night long.

If you want to look at the real data though, the data showing the long term effects of these drugs, then you'll be looking pretty hard because it doesn't exist.

And if you knew you'd really tried everything, and that drugging your child was 100% necessary, you would not feel guilt or shame about it. I'd be willing to bet money that even a "natural" and "healthy" person like yourself has not done a 100% strict special diet for any serious amount of time. And for most parents on this board who laugh at "natural" parents, well, it's even less likely.

FWIW I have a science PhD. We highly value education. We plan/hope for our kids to go to one of the top colleges in the world (we have multiple citizenships) of their choosing. But above all else, we value the health and wellness of our children. We would move to a farm in a heartbeat and homeschool and teach our kids a vocation related to farming or whatever else they could handle before we gave them speed even once, let alone every day. I'm not staying in a rat race that they can't handle and then drugging my kids just so I can throw them in public school and make life more convenient for me.

Anonymous wrote:Whoops... choice... given this adhd dx. Adhd is not just exec fx issues... it’s also emotional regulation challenges etc. while this documentary is correct to help people be mindful of abuse, making it seem so slated is very shaming to parents and adults who benefit from meds. We were not flippant about this and we are both scientists, but I am still human and feel shame and worry after watching something like this (e.g. am I doing the wrong thing? Will he not be able to get off these etc.) this was a tough decision, but we need to go with the data— that these meds can be very helpful for people who have ADHD.

Anonymous wrote:It was shocking to me when I was hanging with the boy moms at a bday party when my son was 8 and found out he was the only boy not on ADHD meds. Out of a class of 23 split as evenly as possible. They kind of looked at me like I was crazy or something or in denial. A boy that age not on meds was unheard of in their circles.

Anonymous wrote:The defensiveness for medication on this board is consistent and astounding. For people who are quick to deplore processed food, chemicals, etc., so many are willing to medicate their elementary school children to make them easier to manage and to make school focusing easier.

This is speed. I don’t understand why people don’t embrace CBT, etc because that has lasting effects where Adderall wears off in half a day and the person has not grown their abilities at all. And there are significant side effects.

My ADHD child I manage with therapies, etc and while it isn’t easy for him or me, in the long run it is the only thing that will help him as a lifelong matter.

Anonymous wrote:I recall Sir Ken Robinson's TED talk that included discussion of adhd and showed the variation in diagnosis rates in the US vs the rest of the world, and also between different US states. It makes me sad to read people here and elsewhere online say that their kid really needs these drugs. I imagine no one was taking them when these parents were in school in the 70s and 80s. If they lived in other countries, it wouldn't be as much of a possibility. Are big pharma or the educational system contributing factors in the US to the high rate of diagnosis?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I recall Sir Ken Robinson's TED talk that included discussion of adhd and showed the variation in diagnosis rates in the US vs the rest of the world, and also between different US states. It makes me sad to read people here and elsewhere online say that their kid really needs these drugs. I imagine no one was taking them when these parents were in school in the 70s and 80s. If they lived in other countries, it wouldn't be as much of a possibility. Are big pharma or the educational system contributing factors in the US to the high rate of diagnosis?

Yes, it's true that in the 70s and 80s people weren't diagnosed. In my family, 3 of 4 people who clearly have ADHD self medicated with alcohol and/or drugs as a result. As a result, some of us are willing to have our family members give stimulants a try if prescribed as there is evidence they can help avoid the need for self-medication. After learning more about ADHD after our child was diagnosed, I realized how misinformed I was from popular media and seeing/reading all the anti-med threads here and how it is possible with testing (6+ hours) to tell although learning the actual symptoms made it obvious to me our DK and my DH have it. I will say DK was a teen when diagnosed and I'm sure I would have been hesitant to start him earlier.

Anonymous wrote:I recall Sir Ken Robinson's TED talk that included discussion of adhd and showed the variation in diagnosis rates in the US vs the rest of the world, and also between different US states. It makes me sad to read people here and elsewhere online say that their kid really needs these drugs. I imagine no one was taking them when these parents were in school in the 70s and 80s. If they lived in other countries, it wouldn't be as much of a possibility. Are big pharma or the educational system contributing factors in the US to the high rate of diagnosis?

Anonymous wrote:It's really only a matter of time before a paper like the NYTimes does a big exposé on the overuse of Adderall and people start getting exposed.

If you've got a legit disorder, fine. But it's being abused the way competitive athletes use performance-enhancing drugs and steroids.

Anonymous wrote:I would like to watch this but am hesitant because our teen was just diagnosed with adhd combo and after learning about adhd, it's clear DC has it. I'm sure it will have me second guessing using drugs but DC is so much happier being able to finally focus. The medicine is amazing. Grades went up immediately because learning could occur as well as focus.

DC only wants to take it for school days, never on weekends or holidays unless has homework. I do worry about college and I do hear from older cousins that pretty much everyone uses it. DC uses an extended release version not Adderall which is shorter acting.