ADHD???

Does it really exist? I mean...when I was growing up we had polio, diphtheria, scarlet fever etc .. but they were all ailments that presented visual symptoms (which they found vaccines for) . Now we have these new epidemics (yes that's what I'm calling them) of ADHD..Bipolar etc so...where have these new ailments come from? Do they exist really or is it an easy fix for the doctor to get you out the door and...the pharmaceutical companies to make their zillions?

When my son started school it was suggested to me that he may be ADHD because he lacked concentration and appeared bored in the classroom...turns out it was because he sat at the kitchen table while I helped his older sister with her homework and he had already picked up enough to 'make' him bored...he was moved up a year and...the 'diagnosis' was never mentioned again :)

EDIT

He never turned out to be a genius BTW...in year 10 he scored a A in Japanese and a D in English so...go figure that one :)..he now works off-shore as a welder earning a lot more than some :)

Lol at his grades later on!

My parents were told I was ADHD and thank God they didn't put me on medication. I was just bored in class, I knew the material until I hit high school. When I was finished with my work, I talked to people (I'm kind of a talke, it seems) and would get in trouble. Tell me, as a kid, to sit at a desk for 7 hours doing work I already know how to do and you basically kill me inside.

While I think there are kids with true imbalances, we need to stop throwing medications at people and start doing the leg work to find out the reason why kids act out, or are restless, or hyper. Our break/recess time was a total of 15 minutes (lunch was 15 also but I spent the time eating). 15 minutes out of 7 hours to run and get the wiggles out when I'm already bored just wasn't enough for me.

The spectrum for these things is so broad these days it's ridiculous, and you hit it on the head, the pharmacy companies are making a killing, not to mention the extra federal funding some schools are receiving due to children being medicated. It's gotten to a point now where regular teachers can suggest a child be medicated, because he/she is overly hyper......hell I could teach zombies....my 4 year old is so advanced it's crazy, using and knowing the definition of distraction, ingredients, processing, etc......however my 2 year old is delayed, and being tested for Autism, I worked in the field and don't think he's autistic, but I agreed to the test because he's my son and I want the best for him, but even the autism spectrum has changed now, he's a social butterfly, which is very uncommon with autistic children, I'm hoping one day he'll wake up and everything will just click for him, I myself was delayed until I was 9 and then everything just clicked, or maybe it didn't ....one thing for sure, medicating any of my children will only happen if there is an absolute need , or a chemical imbalance. I see so many kids screwed up from these medications it's ridiculous, and we wonder why kids have no problem using illegal drugs, we live in a one pill cures all society and it's killing our children......good topic.

It,s the whole cold/flu thing, isn't it? Nothing winds me up as much as people whinging that they have flu when they have a cold - flu can literally lay you low for days.
My point! Of course there are those with genuine issues, but the same issues are too often diagnosed for kids who are just poorly behaved. It seems to be a 'fix all' excuse now rather than looking at the deeper issues - which are many

I believe that it has a lot to do with Diet,

My sister complains that her two youngsters (5 and 4) are hyperactive, I was at her house helping with some DIY, in that time they had biscuits on tap, chocolates. Juice and various sweets. For tea they had KFC. She is on her own with 4 kids and is obviously struggling. She has fell in the trap of giving in to her kids and giving them what they want for a quieter life.

Fast food and processed food has a lot to answer for.

My nans generation would cook meals from scratch. That way they knew exactly what ingredients were going into the meal.

With both parents working in most households it is more difficult these days to prepare a family meal every day. I have three kids and two are fussy eaters. I cook most days when I am not working and find that I am cooking 3 different meals.

The large fast food establishments need to start weaning us off their food. They could reduce the fat and salt content in stages so that the public don't notice. They need to stop feeding their cattle so much corn, cows eat grass not corn feed. KFC need to treat their chickens as chickens. Not as chicken hybrids.

This all coincides with increased mental disorders in this generation.

(apologies if a bit rambly)

One final note,

I went to see my Nan last week, she was cooking up a ready meal in her microwave!!!

Whatever the causes, I believe these to be true diagnosable conditions, which unfortunately have become labels that are far too often set upon children and adults improperly.

Most teachers are masters of several repertoires that are available for different children's needs. They can handle the slow learner and the quick as well as the average. With some teachers, though, it is easier to "suggest" ADHD and knock down a kid's energy level.
In my own experience ADD and ADHD are real. When I was growing up the conditions were not in the DSM. DSM IV and DSM V do have them. However, this is a condition which is the last available diagnosis if done properly.

First there must be at least 6 symptoms of specific inattention to the level of maladaptive and inconsistent with development FOR AT LEAST 6 MONTHS
and/or
6 symptoms of specific hyperactivity-impulsivity to the level of maladaptive and inconsistent with development FOR AT LEAST 6 MONTHS .
Depending on how these symptoms are observed the person may be ADHD, ADHD predominantly inattentive type or ADHD predominantly hyperactivity-impulsivity type.

These symptoms must have been present to some degree prior to age 7 and in 2 or more settings (home, school, work).

The classic treatment of the problem is with speed. Ritalin, Adderal, etc.

All too often doctors will diagnose a kid right in the first visit!

With my son, we finally had him diagnosed by the time he was in second grade. The Ritalin helped him up until he was in middle school. At that point the years of learning about his own (and my) limits allowed him to go off medication for good. I was the classic undiagnosed ADD kid. First, as I said, there was no such diagnosis back then, second I was not hyperactive at all. Like Britt, I was bored but for me it was being off in day dreams. I was finally diagnosed during the time that my son was. It was recommended & I followed up. Since I had no help growing up I learned coping mechanisms. These helped me with my son as well.

Some interesting points you have all made. Darren, I'm interested in your suggesting that food could play a huge part in a child's behaviour. It's all too easy to dish up convenient food in today's society where we are all very busy. As you say, years ago meals were made from scratch and parents knew exactly what their child was eating. Not only was ADHD unheard of but child obesity was something that was virtually non existent.

I think the lack of discipline at home and in the school environment has a lot to do with these "ADHD children".

Larry...

First there must be at least 6 symptoms of specific inattention to the level of maladaptive and inconsistent with development

^^^

Is there an actual list of symptoms? Is daydreaming among them? One of my grandson's would go into a sort of staring phase..kind of like daydreaming I guess and an MRI revealed that his brain waves were abnormal and they wanted to run more tests on him. Have you ever had to strap a two year old terrified child to a table to have these tests done? My daughter refused to have anymore tests done and...thankfully he's find now. Bob...think very carefully before you have any testing like that do on your son...at his age, he may forget it but, I can guarantee...you never will.

I have been interested in something called childhood amnesia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Childhood_amnesia

I was told about falling from a moving car at an age right around the average age most first memories are less common.

There is a case in a Kentucky county (I have memories of) of a mother of five that is missing . There is a possibility her youngest may have suppressed memories . A knew study suggests that much of the forgetting happens after the age of seven

Oh no worries there, he can't be tested unless i'm present, they tried to put ear plugs in his ears and he went off, they wanted me to hold him and I said, no, I will not restrain my son, he's telling you he doesn't want them, that's a communication, you're not hearing him......I took him for a lead test, the woman pricked his finger and the blood was coming out freely, but she was in a hurry and started squeezing his finger and he started crying, I physically removed her hand from his and told her, that's enough....I won't let anyone purposely hurt my children, homie don't play that, sorry....it's amazing though, medication has worked for some and destroyed others. we have a guy up here in my hometown who was a great athlete, now he walks around talking to himself and slobbering on himself, because of being overly medicated as a child, it's actually a documented case......when I first saw him after 30 years, I was like, wow, I didn't even know who he was. I have a guy in my motorcycle club who is 36 and can't function without ritilan to this day.....it's crazy.

and yes diet is a big thing, especially red dye, it's hazardous and in so many foods, you'd be utterly surprised at what some of these processed foods contain.

Hellon, here are the plain-speak versions of the specific criteria for both inattention and for hyperactivity-impulsivity:

Inattention
Six or more of the following symptoms of inattention have been present for at least 6 months to a point that is
inappropriate for developmental level:
a. Often does not give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.
b. Often has trouble keeping attention on tasks or play activities.
c. Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
d. Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (loses focus, gets sidetracked).
e. Often has trouble organizing activities.
f. Often avoids, dislikes, or doesn't want to do things that take a lot of mental effort for a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).
g. Often loses things needed for tasks and activities (e.g. toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools).
h. Is often easily distracted.
i. Is often forgetful in daily activities.

Hyperactivity / Impulsivity
Six or more of the following symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity have been present for at least 6 months to an extent that is
disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level:

a. Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat when sitting still is expected.
b. Often gets up from seat when remaining in seat is expected.
c. Often excessively runs about or climbs when and where it is not appropriate (adolescents or adults may feel very restless).
d. Often has trouble playing or doing leisure activities quietly.
e. Is often "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor".
f. Often talks excessively.
h. Often blurts out answers before questions have been finished.
i. Often has trouble waiting one's turn.
j. Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games).

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/documents/adhd-symptom-checklist.pdf

The wording in the DSM-5 is a bit more complex:

http://static1.squarespace.com/static/528283c3e4b01fe17222821d/t/54431a9ee4b06e6dec9214d2/1413683870835/DSM+5+ADHD+Diagnosis+Criteria.pdf

So the hyperactivity symptoms or signs? I feel like that literally summed me up for the last... 25 years of my life.

Some private catholic schools could have been easily compared to boot camp . I must have been daydreaming when they talked about the consequence of suicide because I can remember on several occasions holding my breath in hopes I would die rather than to go to school without my homework done . In hindsight if I was not taking laziness to a sinful level it took quite a bit of motivation to persuade me to join the real world from my daydream world. My favorite youtube was made by an Aspie that explained that what neuro typical PEOPLE experience as zoning out she experienced as honing in . I have had a fantasy about as much healing as possible through basic spirituality . I am on meds and most folks I know that have been diagnosed with extreme bipolar disorder are not as productive without medication (or able to conform to rules) . I knew a mother that refused to let the psychologist treat her son , and he dropped out . I fear the world is too dependent on medication , but dare not preach to the choir
EDIT
I could have got a prescription for ADHD but my doctor was more concerned about my blood pressure .

Now imagine someone on the autistic spectrum interacting with an extreme bipolar and neither partner accepting therapy

^^ "So the hyperactivity symptoms or signs? I feel like that literally summed me up for the last... 25 years of my life."

Yes, Britt, we know. ;8-D

^"Now imagine someone on the autistic spectrum interacting with an extreme bipolar and neither partner accepting therapy"

Michael, that type of relationship keeps my divorce practice going.

Seriously, Britt, i feel your pain. My own matches to these criteria on both attention and impulsivity are behind what I once called my self-destructive behavior. It's taken me years to learn how to not (as my wife calls it) "kick away with my feet what I have accomplished with my hands."

I've been told I have it, but honestly it is usually really boring people who say that (though one of them is a therapist).

Obviously there are people with conditions which are very serious and we shouldn't try to abolish all labels for such things else it would be very difficult to give treatment appropriate to the situation. That said, I think, particularly in America there is a trend of getting a bit slap happy with branding people with conditions and then medicating them.

ADHD...or maybe I just think more than you and require more stimulation before i get bored. Everyone is different.

Larry that definitely makes sense, what your wife says. That's a great way to put it! I've recently started seeing a therapist, and he had me pegged in two seconds (are you an outgoing, competitive perfectionist with slight OCD like tendencies and need to have control? Yes, you're very type A aren't you, but at the same time you swallow your feelings to take care of everyone else, have opinions but don't confront people with them?) Apparently, I'm textbook.

"Michael, that type of relationship keeps my divorce practice going."

Painfully true, but I am going to laugh anyway :)

Kevin,

Couldn't agree with you more. ADHD has been the 'go-to' diagnosis of every rambunctious kid by every non-professional know-it-all in America.

The problem is that kids who truly are ADHD get lost in the pop-a-pill regimine without therapy! These kids never learn how to cope with it on their own, so they have no progress. Kids with ADHD need to learn certain coping strategies: patience (above all), the conscious experience of paying attention (in particular where they don't want to), the ability to pause before acting or speaking, the habit of waiting three minutes before entering a conversation. Ritilin and Adderal don't teach them any of this; they either get it painfully by hard knocks or in therapy where they're able to acquire these assets more effectively and less traumatically.

Larry, thanks for putting it in easy to understand terms.

If an 8 year old is presenting with most of these signs but, they also had a very disruptive home situation in their earlier years, how would you distinguish between the two? Is the child disruptive, having learning difficulties, poor concentration etc as a result of earlier experiences or are they perhaps incorrectly labelled as ADHD. It seems to me it's a very fine line.

EDIT

This child, until the age 7, was also a serious bed wetter...not sure if there's a connection.

Great topic... very important! And you're right, people, kids especially are being diagnosed and medicated for these ''disorders'' way too often.

During my teacher training days I had a student who was very hyper and had violent behaviour. On days she would come in like that and on others she would come so drugged up she would be numb in class and wouldn't even respond to the slightest of instructions, sometimes she would sleep in class. Me and my peer (the other student-teacher) would stay late in school because we didn't have a drivers licence at the time and waited for our parents to pick us up and she did too. We befriended her and talked with her. We got to know a lot about her life out of school. Her parents were seperated, and she didn't live with one of them; she was in between both homes. Her parents fought and argued in front of her. One of her parents gave her the medication and the other didn't. She was neglected and had a lot of anger in her that she couldn't express at home and so she became violent in school. That was the case. It wasn't any disorder. We told her original teacher (our cooperating teacher) about this. We all told her that we were there for her if she needed anything and treated her like our daughter. Her teacher started something new. She made a chart for the child that she would fill in herself whenever she misbehaved and whenever she behaved well instead of the teacher doing that same work. She became more aware of her actions and how to deal with her own problems. We were only there for two weeks and could see her progressing. The teacher said she would sit down with the parents and talk to them, but as I said we were only there for two weeks so we didn't stay to see what happened.

Some kids need therapy, not medication. And sometimes it's not therapy but an understanding from their parents of how to deal with their kids.

Yesterday we went to visit my sister in law. Something big was going on between her husband and her inlaws and she and her kids were caught in the middle (yes, awkward. Very bad time to be there). Anyway, my sister in laws eldest is what some would diagnose as hyperactive. But he's not. I noticed two things; one is that he interrupted elders, talked back, worked out and became violent yesterday because he felt scared. That is pretty much how he feels everyday (since yesterday wasn't anything new). And that is why he bahaves how he does. He needs someone to reassure him that everything will be ok and that he is loved by his parents no matter what. The second thing is that he tried to change the topic in a bad way (shouting, annoying his sibblings, going to the kitchen and trying to make something on his own). He was changing the direction of attention and trying to ''help'' his mom forget. He couldn't stand his mother being hurt. In these situations parents should deal with the problem away from the children. So they don't feel like anyone is unhappy. I have noticed he does this a lot too. Even when his mom is sick or tired. To change the topic and make her laugh he misbehaves, which makes her mad at him.

Point is that the first thing to do before diagnosing anyone is to look into their lives. What has caused this? Why has it occurred now? And talking to the child is a big part of discovering that.

This way or the other I agree with Larry. These conditions (ADD, ADHD, bipolar... etc) are permenant. They need to learn how to live with it and not rely on drugs that may affect their lives in a negative way.

My friend put her kid on a diet of tinned pears and he stopped being a little arsehole. FACT.

Well, surely he did not become pear-fect

Giggles, Larry lol

Just changing the diet is key... As said in previous posts, red dye is really bad, it's in a lot of food. Stay away from that and get the kids into sports or just outside more. Proper diet and exercise helps a great deal...

Dr's and teachers wanted to put my 6yr old grandson on meds. My daughter opted not to. They changed his diet and enrolled him in basketball... hes doing really good.