What are the biggest controversies about ADHD?
100877
The term "ADHD" is simply a label used to categorise a list of psychosocial traits that Psychiatry considers to be improper or abnormal in society. Psychiatry defines these traits as a "mental illness", and promotes it as a "disease" that requires "treatment".\n\nIt is not a "disease", despite claims or implications made by certain psychiatric or pharmaceutical organisations. There is NO credible scientific evidence that shows the existence of what constitutes "ADHD" as a biological/neurological disorder, brain abnormality or "chemical imbalance".\n\n"For a disease to exist there must be a tangible, objective physical abnormality that can be determined by a test such as, but not limited to, blood or urine test, X-Ray, brain scan or biopsy. All reputable doctors would agree: No physical abnormality, no disease. In psychiatry, no test or brain scan exists to prove that a 'mental disorder' is a physical disease. Disingenuous comparisons between physical and mental illness and medicine are simply part of psychiatry's orchestrated but fraudulent public relations and marketing campaign." Fred Baughman, MD., Neurologist & Pediatric Neurologist.\n\n"Chemical imbalance…it’s a shorthand term really, it’s probably drug industry derived… We don’t have tests because to do it, you’d probably have to take a chunk of brain out of someone - not a good idea." Dr. Mark Graff, Chair of the Committee of Public Affairs for the American Psychiatric Association. July, 2005.\n\nSuch behavioural characteristics that Psychiatry created this unscientific "disease" from are, and always have been, generally considered NORMAL. Now, it seems, inattention or "hyperactivity" [Hyperactivity means 'excessively active'* -- what is excessive? On whose authority?? It's ridiculous!!] is abnormal, a "mental illness".\n\nFor a rundown of the exact diagnostic criteria of "attention deficit disorder" visit: http://groups.msn.com/psychbusters/diagnosticcriteria.msnw\n\nFor information on the junkscience behind psychiatric "testing" for "ADHD" visit: http://adhdtesting.org/\n\nFor a list of what inattention COULD be attributed to (rather than some fraudulent "mental illness") visit: http://adhdparentssupportgroup.homestead.com/50conditionsmimicingADHD.html\n\nFor more information, see;\n\nhttp://groups.msn.com/psychbusters/addadhd.msnw\nhttp://groups.msn.com/psychbusters/adhdfacts.msnw\nhttp://www.adhdfraud.org/\nhttp://www.ritalindeath.com/\nhttp://cchr.org/files/7515/child_drug_EN.pdf\nhttp://www.ablechild.org/\n\n\n--\n\n"We are not "overdrugging" or misdiagnosing" ADHD. ADHD is a total, 100 percent fraud. The many millions of schoolchildren around the world who are being drugged have no disease." Fred Baughman, Jr., M.D. Child Neurologist and a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology.\n\n"Parents are seldom told that Ritalin is ‘speed’—that it is pharmacologically classified with amphetamines, has the same effects, side effects, and risks. Yet this is well-known in the profession...." Dr. Peter R. Breggin & Ginger Ross Breggin, The War Against Children, P. 84.\n\n"...But because ADD is so vaguely defined, even for a psychiatric disorder, it is tailor-made for bogus claims. There are, as the American Psychiatric Association’s latest diagnostic manual concedes, "no laboratory tests that have been established as diagnostic" for "Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder." Richard E. Vatz, Professor, Towson State University, "Attention Deficit Delirium," The Wall Street Journal, July 27, 1994\n\n"The diagnosis of ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) is entirely subjective… There is no test. It is just down to interpretation… The lines between an ADD sufferer and a healthy exuberant kid can be ve
341697
This is not a disease thats a Disorder and the right name of it is ADHD....its better if u talk to a psychiatrist if the kid has some problem in his/her study or her social contact at school but most of children with this disorder (if they dont lose their study) will get better in future.
772694
Attention Deficit / Hyperactive Disorder.\n\nLike ME!
162514
Both center around attention difficulties.  Someone with ADD has attention difficulties with no signs of hyperactivity.  Someone with ADHD will have some amount of hyperactivity.  This could manafest as excessive talking, tapping your hands or toes while sitting still, talking loudly, etc.  These indicators are much more indicative of ADHD then "bouncing off the walls".\n\nThere are several tests online as well as in books on ADD/ADHD that can give you an indication if you have either.  A doctor needs to make a diagnosis, though, because there are medical conditions that can mimic ADD/ADHD.  ADD/ADHD will should also be ruled out if you are going through a major life event.  ADD/ADHD behavior must exist without any external issues present.\n\nADD/ADHD is not something that your "break" yourself of.  It is not a habit.  If your ADD/ADHD are not severe that are many options besides medication.  A more natural diet, excersizing, doing yoga or meditating, and using lists & notebooks to stay organized are several ways to lesson the effects of ADD/ADHD in your life.\n\nA great resource is www.chadd.org
420582
Definitely.   These days, our medications are so advanced that there is a pill that can virtually target any sympton in the body.  The past 10 years for medicine has been the biggest breakthrough decade (partly due to the internet).  ADHD is actually sluggish brainwaves and as a result, many distractions come into the brain because nevers aren't traveling back and forth at a fast enough rate (totally opposite of what most people think).  And there are medications that can go exactly to those nerves and speed them up causing more focus which automatically calms a kid.  Truly amazing.   I am not saying I'm an advocate of pills at all, but if someone's quality of life is suffering,,,,maybe it's an option.  The question was about being helped so I answered accordingly!!
915741
What Are the Symptoms?\n\nThe symptoms of ADHD include inattention, impulsiveness and hyperactivity that are inappropriate for a person's age level. \n\nChildren who have ADHD often:\n\nAre easily distracted by sights and sounds in their environment. \nAre unable to concentrate for long periods of time on low stimulation tasks (homework vs. video games). \nAre restless and impulsive. \nHave a tendency to daydream. \nAre slow to complete tasks. \nAdults who have ADHD often:\n\nMiss work deadlines.\nMiss appointments.\nAppear hectic and disorganized.\nHave significant problems prioritizing. \nSymptoms of ADHD in adults and children\n\nYou must got to a physiologist or a ph\nphycartist and have the test done formally.
628063
How about the Immigration issue or global warming?\nBoth are highly controversial issues.
650663
My son has ADHD, in the worst way. It is very very hard. Especially when he has a schedule to follow. Most tasks are very hard for him to complete because he is so easily distracted. He is 7 and is on medication, and even that isn't 100% effective. You take a deep breath, and tell yourself they are not doing IT to irritate YOU, they just can't help it. \n\nGood luck, let me know how it goes.
593821
The child with ADHD who is inattentive will have 6 or more of the following symptoms:\n\nHas difficulty following instructions \nHas difficulty keeping attention on work or play activities at school and at home \nLoses things needed for activities at school and at home \nAppears not to listen \nDoesn't pay close attention to details \nSeems disorganized \nHas trouble with tasks that require planning ahead \nForgets things \nIs easily distracted \nThe child with ADHD who is hyperactive/impulsive will have at least 6 of the following symptoms:\n\nIs fidgety \nRuns or climbs inappropriately \nCan't play quietly \nBlurts out answers \nInterrupts people \nCan't stay in seat \nTalks too much \nIs always on the go \nHas trouble waiting his or her turn \nChildren with ADHD do not make enough chemicals in key areas in the brain that are responsible for organizing thought. Without enough of these chemicals, the organizing centers of the brain don't work well. This causes the symptoms in children with ADHD. Research shows that ADHD is more common in children who have close relatives with the disorder. Recent research also links smoking and other substance abuse during pregnancy to ADHD.\n\nThings that don't cause ADHD:\nBad parenting (though a disorganized home life and school environment can make symptoms worse) \nToo much sugar \nToo little sugar \nAspartame (brand name: Nutrasweet) \nFood additives or colorings \nFood allergies or other allergies \nLack of vitamins \nFluorescent lights \nToo much TV \nVideo games...Children with ADHD may be difficult to parent. They may have trouble understanding directions. Children with ADHD are usually in a constant state of activity. This can be a challenge to adults. You may need to change your home life a bit to help your child. Here are some things you can do to help:\n\nMake a schedule. Set specific times for waking up, eating, playing, doing homework, doing chores, watching TV or playing video games, and going to bed. Post the schedule where your child will always see it. Explain any changes to the routine in advance. \nMake simple house rules. It's important to explain what will happen when the rules are obeyed and when they are broken. Write down the rules and the results of not following them. \nMake sure your directions are understood. Get your child's attention and look directly into his or her eyes. Then tell your child in a clear, calm voice specifically what you want. Keep directions simple and short. Ask your child to repeat the directions back to you. \nReward good behavior. Congratulate your child when he or she completes each step of a task. \nMake sure your child is supervised all the time. Because they are impulsive, children with ADHD may need more adult supervision than other children their age. \nWatch your child around his or her friends. It's sometimes hard for children with ADHD to learn social skills. Reward good play behaviors. \nSet a homework routine. Pick a regular place for doing homework, away from distractions such as other people, TV and video games. Break homework time into small parts and have breaks. \nFocus on effort, not grades. Reward your child when he or she tries to finish school work, not just for good grades. You can give extra rewards for earning better grades. \nTalk with your child's teachers. Find out how your child is doing at school--in class, at playtime, at lunchtime. Ask for daily or weekly progress notes from the teacher.
1183759
Boy, this is a hard one.  There re so many! Mine would have to be in regards to health care, pharmaceutical science and the vaccination / autism debate.  Big pharm and the CDC still swear that the mercury preservative thimerosal that was once freely pumped through the veins of American Children, has absolutely nothing to do with the huge increase in autism in the last 15 years.  Oddly, now that enough parents and Doctors pushed the CDC to have it remove from vaccines... and the CDC, (in order to appease the general public) politely requested big pharm to remove it from childhood vaccinations...the rates have dramatically dropped, thus the autism epidemic and other neurodevelopmental disorders are on the decline.  The Theory that mercury was safe for tiny children was the biggest scientific blunder of the millennium. Now the health care and educational cost of raising these children will reach well into billions of dollars annually.  (not to mention the grief and hardship of the families of these children)
1073480
People who don't "believe in" ADHD have never lived with it - either by having it, or loving someone who has it.  Even when you think you understand it, it is still very frustrating.  \n\nMy son showed early signs when he was in preschool, which we didn't pick up on until his kindergarten teacher expressed her concern about him.  We spoke to our pediatrician, who recommended a psychologist.  The psychologist met with us, and communicated with his teacher about her observations.  Even after the initial diagnosis, we were still skeptical.  The doctors prescribed a low dose of medication, which we gave him, but we didn't tell his teacher.  We wanted to see if she would notice a difference on her own.  A few weeks later we had a conference with her and she couldn't stop telling us how happy she was for our son.  (On the 2nd or 3rd day at school after starting the medication, she was praising him for something & he mentioned taking a pill that morning.)  We verified that he was taking medication and she said that his days were 100% better. L\n\nLooking back on his life, this diagnosis makes a lot of other things make sense...like when he had an operation & they gave him medication that was supposed to mellow him out & it did just the opposite...and why drinking Mountain Dew calmed him down instead of making him go crazy.\n\nSure, there are those out there who have behavior problems that use being "hyper" as an excuse for not functioning well in society.  But people who are properly diagnosed do have a very REAL condition that can be treated with whatever method works best for them (medication, dietary, etc.)
815155
Because telling parents their child has ADHD is much easier (and sells more drugs for the drug companies) then telling parents that they need to provide consistent discipline with their children and stop giving them everything 'they never had'. Not parent blaming here, most just feel too guilty to discipline because they want their kids to be happy and like them.\n\nNot to mention that kids are bombarded with TV and video games, which are highly stimulating and then they are expected to go and sit still in classrooms.\n\nAnd don't even get me started on the things that kids are eating these days. There is no way a body can function and think and learn filled with highly processed, sugary foods.\n\nInstead of drugging our children, society needs a wake-up call. Then maybe any actual cases of ADHD can be identified and not passed off as 'the fad diagnosis'.
591283
most people with adhd are very smart, and creative, the only curse is that society wants to fit everyone into one mold and have them act a certain way, these people dont need medication they need different types of learning envirements.
297869
I totally resent this question! ADD and ADHD destroys peoples lives! I am a sufferer and without my  medication I would be out of control! My brother has ADHD and because of this he has not a single friend! His life is ruined! without his medicane he would be destoroyed! And he's only 9! I'm only 13 too for petes sake!  And don't call it speed! These medicanes are legal cause people like you ruin it by taking it for your own amusement! Beside you know perfectly well why Marijuana isn't legal! My Dad smokes and its worst enough! Would you like to lose someone to something 50 billions times worser than that? This question upsets me very much! Your making a resourcfull helpfull medicane into an amusing drug that could be taken away to people who really need it!
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My daughter was on Adderall for years.  When she was in 1st grade she was found to be ADHD. When we got her on the correct medicine and dosage, she went to flunking to straight a's.  \n\nWhen she visited her dads house he would say the same thing.  He thought i was doing it to make it easier on me.  I offered for him to talk to her doctor and read her assessment.  He refused but just kept accusing me of giving her the meds because i was lazy.  Well, now she is 15 and the hyperactivity is gone.  We are now just dealing the the attention deficite part and he can finally see that what i did, was for her own good.  \n\nMaybe you just need to ask to talk to the doctor that diagnosed the boy.  Ask to see the diagnostic tests that were used and the results.  Also the schools do an evaluation if they are aware of a problem with the child.  The parents should get a copy of that.  I would ask for any documentation that is available and then work with the other parent to adjust the dosage or meds so that they work with the boy to help him get good grades in school.
303595
First I agree with others it is not always ADHD that could be the problem, that said 1st you need to call your primary doctor and make an apt to discuss what symptoms you are having and the concern for ADHD then if the doctor feels that is the problem he or she will direct you and go over options just remember there are alternative meds that are all natural that you can use for ADHD.
216125
Hopefully...these links help you... View them in the sources tab.\n\nBest wishes,\n\nMichelle\nHFA; higher-functioning Autism, Bipolar Disorder, and ADHD.