ADD / ADHD in kids?

When I was a kid - wasn't this called "HYPERACTIVITY?"

They're testing my daughter for this ADHD/ADD.
Her behavior doesn't bother ME. It bothers the teachers because she doesn't sit still, and she has a hard time staying on one task. She's a natural "multi-tasker".

I've always just thought she was an energetic kid... I never thought to put her on a pill to relax her. She's a KID.

How do you know if it's personality - or a problem?

Is ADD/ADHD real? Isn't it misdiagnosed a lot = over diagnosed? How do you know when it's really necessary to give medication?

I dont know - Before I make a decision on putting my daughter on medication - I thought I would ask.


Thank you for any input.

[edit on 8-12-2004 by Lemonhead]

I honestly think that ADD is a couple of factors that hardly related to neurochemistry as main stream medicene would have you believe. Not only do we innundate our kids with sugar all day, but they watch kids on tv misbehaving and think this is some sort of social norm to behave in less acceptable ways. I think alot of environmental factors are too easily passed off as ADD, when it could be as simple as needing a good trip to the wood shed sometimes. Before you let a DR. who gets paid to reccomend and prescribe certain medications dope your kid up on some kind of '___' related chemical anti-depressant (yes I said '___' related as they are often amine related compounds), take a relly close look at environmental factors. Did you feed the kids Sugar-Oh's for breakfast? Did you discipline them when they talked back to you last time? Are they hanging out with the class clown at school? ETC. Medication is an easy quick solution to a much larger problem here IMO.

twitchy, as always you make some good points. But speaking as a mom of 3, whose oldest child has been diagnosed with ADHD and is currently taking Concerta (basically long-lasting Ritalin), this syndrome cannot be easily blamed on sugar consumption or television choices. All of my kids eat the same things, watch the same things, play outside the same amount of time...but only one of them exhibits symptoms of ADHD. It's so much more than not sitting still in class, and believe me: if your kid has it, Lemonhead, you'll know it.

Speaking as an adult with ADD, I *wish* I could multitask, but I have enough problems getting one thing done at a time. I literally write *everything* down, because if I don't, I get distracted and completely go off on a tangent. And yes, I *do* think ADD is neurochemical (is that a word?) in nature. However, I don't take any medication myself; I've learned to deal with it. It's just part of my charming personality.

Lemonhead, feel free to U2U me if you'd like; I'd be happy to share my experiences with you.

I have a tough time believing in ADD / ADHD.

When I was a kid, the one's who acted like this were also diagnosed, as being BRATS !!!

I just don't buy it.

I still blame the parents for a lot of childrens behavior, kids who are disciplined will behave properly.

I know that we're talking attention spans here, but I think it all starts at home.

I would start with diet! Same thing was going on with my youngest grandson...till one day we went to my sisters and she had made a beautiful Red Velvet cake...they take something like a cup of red food dye...several hours after eating a piece of it, he was at the emergency room looking like he had been beat.....he ended up having sensitivities to a lot of food dyes that used in absolutely everything from chips, children's medications! It was tough getting him on totally dye less foods....but he is a completely different child now! It would be worth checking into. Sensitivities to dyes mimic ADD and ADHD

www.io.com...

www.braintraining.com...

adhdparentssupportgroup.homestead.com...

www.psychpage.com...

Having some discussion on this subject, I find it hard to understand why teachers don't want to do their jobs which is TEACH.

That means finding some way to communicate and reach each and every child. Are some impossible to reach. Sure. But to label them and want to pump them full of drugs so that the teacher can come in and instruct a class of zombies, just so their job will be easier is not, in my opinion...the way to go about it.

When my fiancee has 8 mothers right in her department, each with a child on meds...there is a problem. We feed kids with more and more with tv, video games, computers, dvds, etc. They can process more information faster and faster because of conditioning, but yet in school they are now required to s-l-o-w down or be drugged into submission.

Well, I just don't buy it.

I think that we are ignoring perhpas the bigest medical conspiracy in some time: Ritalin. It has to be the most overperscribed medication ever. I would get a second and maybe third opinion on the diagnosis before I started any medication.

Originally posted by elevatedone
I have a tough time believing in ADD / ADHD.

When I was a kid, the one's who acted like this were also diagnosed, as being BRATS !!!

I just don't buy it.

I still blame the parents for a lot of childrens behavior, kids who are disciplined will behave properly.

I know that we're talking attention spans here, but I think it all starts at home.

I disagree with you there, Elevatedone.
As a child, I was bought up very well, hardly watched TV, instilled with discipline and loved by very good parents. I was in no way ever a 'brat', although I was a 'quite a handful' (due to my hyperactivity) according to people that watched me grow up, but also labelled a 'gifted' by my school teachers.
Dispite this, I have ADHD. So for me it wasn't a case of being badly brought up, or being a badly behaved child. It was/is a constitutional, inner issue and more often manifested mentally, through lapses in concentration etc. rather than through physical behaviour.

I would not contest the fact that many children with ADHD are brats, or that bad parenting has a negative effect on children with the condition. What I would fervently contest though, is the notion that ADHD is caused by indiscipline or poor parenting.

On the flipside, I have noticed that here in the UK, there is not nearly as much awareness and diagnosis of the condition as there is in America. I believe that the condition is exagerated in America, and it seems to me that the 'education' about ADHD is being propagated by drug manufacturers who are making a fortune from ritalin.
Ritalin wasn't around when I was at school, neither was ADHD diagnosis, so I just had to put up with having a short attention span, being forgetful, being unable to stick to a task, having low self esteem, etc.

For me ADHD isn't a disease, or an illness of any sort. It seems to be neurochemical in many cases, but more importantly it is a classification for number of collective and common intrinsic mental traits. Whether or not it is a 'proper condition' or 'real' should not be the issue, and prescribing drugs is definitely not the ideal solution. Awareness is the key, for parents and schools. Rather than pilling up their children, people should foster and promote the subjects and abilities that the child is interested in. Children with ADHD are capable of achieving things if they are pushed/coaxed in the right direction.

Originally posted by ZeddicusZulZorander
Having some discussion on this subject, I find it hard to understand why teachers don't want to do their jobs which is TEACH.

That means finding some way to communicate and reach each and every child. Are some impossible to reach. Sure. But to label them and want to pump them full of drugs so that the teacher can come in and instruct a class of zombies, just so their job will be easier is not, in my opinion...the way to go about it.

I agree wholeheartedly! all children are different, and have different abilities, disabilities, character traits. Some children have dificulty concentrating, sticking to a task, keeping still etc; a pattern emerges, and psyciatrists, doctors, 'experts' decide to categorise these traits, and call it ADHD. Idenifying this is useful, and so categorising and diagnosing it as a condition is also useful - as long as it is acted on in the right way. Drugs are not the right way. Communication, good teaching, good parenting are the right way, in my opinion.

But what behavior really defines it? As a child in school, I tended to daydream a lot, had trouble staying on task or on the subject. My son is having some of the same difficulty. You know what I found out? It took an effort from me to concentrate. I found out thats why they call it school "work" because it takes effort and sometimes a good deal of it to complete it.

A great deal of my son's trouble is diet and over stimulation from TV which we try to control. I think a lot of it is lazyness because ADHD or ADD would effect all forms of concentration and he seems to have no trouble with his video games. Now, to me video games are more taxing on my attention span than work because of the speed at which they operate and the numerous details. I like to watch and marvel at the graphics but once that 5 minutes is over, I'm ready to turn it off.

I'd say that would be a good indicator. If your child has trouble playing PlayStation, then I'd worry because I do believe legit cases exist but I do think its overly diagnosed when reasonable effort and motivation may be the key. But, so long as they can sit down and do a half hour of the high speed games or watch an entire cartoon marathon, I think they're fine.

Originally posted by Paul

I would not contest the fact that many children with ADHD are brats, or that bad parenting has a negative effect on children with the condition. What I would fervently contest though, is the notion that ADHD is caused by indiscipline or poor parenting.

I would put forth the notion that ADHD could very well *lead* to bad parenting, rather than the reverse. These children can typically be quite a handful, and a parent who is ignorant of the symptoms could easily come to see the child as a moody, spoiled, attention-seeking brat.

I believe that the condition is exagerated in America, and it seems to me that the 'education' about ADHD is being propagated by drug manufacturers who are making a fortune from ritalin.

No argument there, but I will state that you can now purchase generic "Ritalin," which is extremely inexpensive.

Ritalin wasn't around when I was at school, neither was ADHD diagnosis, so I just had to put up with having a short attention span, being forgetful, being unable to stick to a task, having low self esteem, etc.

For me ADHD isn't a disease, or an illness of any sort. It seems to be neurochemical in many cases, but more importantly it is a classification for number of collective and common intrinsic mental traits.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

Whether or not it is a 'proper condition' or 'real' should not be the issue, and prescribing drugs is definitely not the ideal solution.

No, but they are a very effective tool. Since beginning the medication, my son's grades have gone up by two letter grades, and he's no longer considered the troublemaker of the class (although he *is* still considered by all who know him to be a handful!).

Q: How many ADD kids does it take to change a light bulb?

A: Lets go play on our bicycles!

Originally posted by astrocreep
I think a lot of it is lazyness because ADHD or ADD would effect all forms of concentration and he seems to have no trouble with his video games.

...

I'd say that would be a good indicator. If your child has trouble playing PlayStation, then I'd worry because I do believe legit cases exist but I do think its overly diagnosed when reasonable effort and motivation may be the key. But, so long as they can sit down and do a half hour of the high speed games or watch an entire cartoon marathon, I think they're fine.

Children with ADHD tend to be only able to focus for extended periods of time when the stimulus is external. Your example of the PlayStation marathon is off base; my ADHD child can sit in front of videogames or TV for hours. What you need to watch for is how long he can focus when the motivation has to be internal: can he finish his homework/dinner/a conversation without jumping out of his chair? Can he sit still in class, or is he constantly tapping his feet or his pencil against his desk? Does he blurt out answers/interrupt others constantly?

A great reference for ADHD/ADD can be found at www.nimh.nih.gov...

Originally posted by Netchicken
Q: How many ADD kids does it take to change a light bulb?

A: Lets go play on our bicycles!

Now what were we talking about again?

There's been many studies that show that sugar is not a main contributor to hyperactivity in children. This Link has a nice summary and other links on the topic. I know of others if there's any interest.

My girlfriend's son has ADD and it is very real. On his meds he can focus and not bounce off the walls. Off his meds he runs wild, has logorrhea, can't sit still and in general behaves badly. Even though he knows he's being "bad" he can't help himself. The brain is just like any other organ in the body, it can get sick too.

I do agree that Ritalin was waaay over perscribed and given to kids who didn't need it, but to dismiss an impariment just because it can be moderated through medicne could do more harm than good.

Originally posted by Netchicken
Q: How many ADD kids does it take to change a light bulb?

A: Lets go play on our bicycles!

Before some P.C. watchdog jumps on this and calls for Netchicken's head, this joke is from Reader's Digest and was told by a kid with ADD.

Originally posted by sandge

Originally posted by astrocreep
I think a lot of it is lazyness because ADHD or ADD would effect all forms of concentration and he seems to have no trouble with his video games.

...

I'd say that would be a good indicator. If your child has trouble playing PlayStation, then I'd worry because I do believe legit cases exist but I do think its overly diagnosed when reasonable effort and motivation may be the key. But, so long as they can sit down and do a half hour of the high speed games or watch an entire cartoon marathon, I think they're fine.

Children with ADHD tend to be only able to focus for extended periods of time when the stimulus is external. Your example of the PlayStation marathon is off base; my ADHD child can sit in front of videogames or TV for hours. What you need to watch for is how long he can focus when the motivation has to be internal: can he finish his homework/dinner/a conversation without jumping out of his chair? Can he sit still in class, or is he constantly tapping his feet or his pencil against his desk? Does he blurt out answers/interrupt others constantly?

An even better post than mine. My gf's son can play his Gameboy for hours on end (I see them mostly on weekends) so it's not truly a "concentration" issue. The internal/external stims is a perfect example.

Adhd is bascially a different brain wiring. I would like to believe that human kind is made up of entirly different types of people for good reasons. Like if you look at the farmer and hunter theory. If we never had the rebelious, curious, rule breaking individulas we would all still be in africa or somthing. WE also need non-adhd type that have the ability to "sustain" their attention to one task for a good period of time otherwise nothing would ever get done.

The thought of this "type" of people is being concidered a disability or worse being medicated (bandaided) for it is quite unsettling. I dont think people could even grasp how many children from the age of 5 to 12 are being diagnosed and medically treated, which to me seems like guinea pig experiments. Especially if it is still such a debated upon area.

SOme people that were beileved to have ADHD like symptoms : winston churchill, albert einstein, thomas edison, walt disney, blah blha blah go look it up.

I dont recommed stuffing pills down and child or adults through to aid this so called disability but to take pride as many are creative, multitasking, inventive individuals.. some may have this taken away from them through medication or from just years of being treated like an outsider.

Viva le Adhd

I now humbly submit to you the facts:

ADHD and ADD are common now because of over exposure to Mercury.

Mercury is a neurological poison, and seats itself in brain tissue, and other organs. Some people have trouble excreting mercury.

Between 1990 and 2001 children received way way too much Mercury in their Childhood Vaccinations as a preservative. These are all facts folks, ask the CDC(Center for Disease Control) if you don't believe me.

They changed the vaccinations around 2001 to have less Mercury. But it still exists in alot of vaccines.

Autism is a severe form of the same ADD/ADHD disorder. With Autism having the exact same symptoms as Mercury Poisoning.

Alzheimers is the same exact disorder, but from too much accumulation of Mercury in late life that the body cannot handle. read - Mercury burden.

Merury Amalgam fillings also contribute mercury vapors and increase merucry exposure. The American Dental Association doesn't want to talk about it.

Parents with children who are ADD / ADHD should count themselves lucky that their child did not get full blown Autism instead like my son did.

Other exposures to Mercury contribute to the problem (fish, industrial plants emissions, air, water) but the highest concentration of exposure was from the children's vaccines they received directly into their bloodstream.

There are treatments called Chelation for your ADHD child that removes the Mercury burden, and helps them get better.

The doctors don't currently tell about this Chelation treatment, unless you specifically ask, and even then they may deny it. Unless maybe they are a newer Autism/ADD specialist, or DAN specialist.

The doctors DO get bonuses for perscribing Ritalin and other Pharma Company mood drugs .

Still not convinced?
Goto
www.NationalAutismAssociation.org
www.safeminds.org
Or just do a Google search on "ADHD + Mercury"

Deny Ignorance people... This is current event stuff, although they do keep it off the news for obvious reasons.


EDIT - to change .com to .org on addresses

[edit on 8-12-2004 by kdx175]

The source of ADD and associated illnesses results from diet. It is not sugar that causes it as much as oils containing certain fatty acids. Humans are supposed to have equal amonts of two specific fatty acids, namely Omega 3 and Omega 6. The fact is though, we have about 1:40 ratio of omega 3 to omega 6. That's 40 times much omega 6 than omega 3. Omega 6 destroys brain synapses ESPECIALLY in kids. This destruction of brain cells causes ADD, problems learning, emotional problems, etc. in our children. The synapses in children's brains are very tender and suseptible to destruction. Omega 6 is found in a lot of cooking oils. Vegtable oil, peanut, sunflower, safflower, etc. all contain huge amounts of omega 6. It's no wonder we see kids at McDonalds eating chicken nuggets and french fries almost every day and at the same time their test scores are falling. Their brains are being destroyed. Foods that are deep fired, contain a lot of oil such as frostings, cakes, etc. all are directly distructive to the brain.

There are two oils that don't contain Omega 6, however. Canola oil (and that's PURE canola oil, not a blend) and extra virgin olive oil. Both these oils contain huge amounts of Omega 3 (the good stuff) and no Omega 6, so they are actually good for you to eat. They also have no cholesterol. But remember, they are fat and like all fats are... fattening!!

The other thing is fish oil. It contains huge amounts of omega 3 and is very good for many, many things such as althimzers, parkensons, arthritis, colitis, memory loss, tissue restructure, and many, many more things. Fish oil has INCREDIBLY huge benefits. But you have to remember that there are various grades of fish oil. The stuff you get in the grocery store probably has high content of PCBs, mercury, toxins, etc. becuse a lot of fish on this planet have been poisioned by the pollution around the world. So you should consider taking pharmacutical grade fish oil which has the impurities taken out of it.

There is a wealth of information in books on fish oil and Omega 3 and 6. Omega 6 is a huge factor in the destruction of our health in the way of ADD, altheizmers and lots of other illnesses.

Lower your intake of Omega 6 and increase your Omega 3 and you will be amazed at the results. I kid you not.