ADD/ADHD: Disease or Croc?

I read something about that but I dont remember what it said now.

 

It's greatly overdigangosed, IMO, and here are some factors (different factors for different kids...and in no particular order):
1. Bad parenting/lack of consistent, relationship-based, loving discipline.
2. The difference in boys and girls. Boys are rowdier, and the overwhelming number of ADHD "cases" are young males.
3. Overstimulization...an MD friend of mine believes that our brains, through media today, learn to process images faster than what is healthy...and they do it a lot. The rise in ADHD cases does mirror the increase in media exposure (TV, web, gaming, etc.) to children (and adults too).
4. Poor nutrition...not enough good stuff (veggies, vitamins) and too much bad stuff (processed food, sugar, caffeine).
5. (esp. boys) The lack of a consistent male figure in the home.
6. Laziness in our education system. It's easier to drug them than discipline them...not to mention the lack of home support in many cases. They also don't take into account in some instances differing learning styles (I'm seeing some progress here at least on the local level).
7. Overexposure of the crisis by professionals with a vested interest (psychiatrists, pharmaceutical companies, professional educators, etc.)

Now...having said that, I do believe that this can exist. I have met kids with such an amazing inability to focus that it was crippling. But I believe that psychotropic meds should be the last resort after rest, nutrition, discipline (if needed), curtailment of overstimuli (greatly reduce media time) exercise, and creative teaching methods (not all folks learn the same way) have been explored.

But that number left would be a fraction of what it is now.

 

Outstanding post!

 

I'm waiting for someone with professional knowledge on this subject to post. Until then this thread is hooey.

 

television and bad nutrition/sugar etc has lots to do with it.

when I was a kid I actually had to go outside and sit down and think for a bit...

 

Simple. Until someone, that is, someone with professional knowledge about and experience in the identification and treatment of ADD/ADHD, offers insight, then all of the posts are (a) opinion, and/or (b) things posters culled from the internet (and we know we can aaaalways beleive things we read on the Interwebs, right?)

At best, then, this is a waste of time. Nothing wrong with that, that's what Internet discussion boards are for. At worst, it will turn into another "there ain't no such thing as mental illness" argument thread, causing more harm than good.

So: hooey.

 

I worked in a lock-up for juvinile delinquents for nine years. And I've never heard a better assessment than RBELL's.

 

Since this is an internet discussion board, why don't you engage my points as presented?

No one has said, "There ain't no such thing as mental illness" on this thread...are you trying to instigate it?

Up to this point the discussion has been civil and IMO worth having. Are you going to contribute, or disparage posters?

Now...engage my post point-by-point and offer your comments. Don't ever assume you're talking with someone without professional knowledge.

Some of us read medical journals in our spare time, and observe procedures to learn.

Some of us have degrees in psychology, and are qualified to administer several psychometric batteries including Myers-Briggs, MMPI, CPI, DISC, and others.

Some of us have more medical training than you might think.

Now...back to the discussion...

 

It's the professionals that have got us into this mess. I'll accept the views of one man who has a Biblical worldview over the views of 100 worldly, secular professionals.

btw...
Use of the word "hooey" =
Use of W's "interwebs" = :thumbs:

 

Oh, I've got a few years' experience with therapeuic group home care, and I agree.

I simply think that, when it comes to opining about illnesses that some folks who read this board may suffer from, a little restraint and professional opinion is a good idea.

But I've really enjoyed being flamed for saying so, folks. As usual, Br. Curtis (while we don't agree on almost everything) is the one who "gets it."

 

Some of us are incredibly touchy, and need to get over themselves.

Have a nice day.

 

Not touchy a bit. I have many other things that might bother me. The BB doesn't. I think it's a hoot.

I offered a detailed, medically-informed, thought-out evaluation that did not disparage sufferers of ADHD (did you read my post). I'm inviting discussion, not a condescending remark like "show some restraint" or "get over yourself."

Let's discuss the topic at hand. If you don't like it, there's lots of other threads...like...

What happens to a KJVO Catholic cat that commits suicide while drunk, wearing pants? Is she predestined for hell, and is it Bush or Clinton's fault she is there? What would Calvin Do?

 

No representation was made that your opinion was other than just that. Opinions from (unless otherwise noted) untrained persons are dangerous.

That said, my apologies.

Yes, definitely.

:smilewinkgrin:

 

Sounds like a great idea for a new thread.

 

Thank you TP.

 

Only problem is, there's no sense in starting the discussion. Everybody but me would be wrong.:saint: :tongue3: