Does ADHD Exist?

[jason]

Originally published at .... You can comment here or there.

This is an interesting topic. I have ADD/ADHD. All my life. The question of its existence is not an issue for me, ADHD is a descriptive of a state, not a pathological designation. It may be a disease, but that’s not my issue. [and this is my personal, not professional opinion] That is, you need to recognize it and engage it, not drug it and ‘fix’ it. To me it IS a social construct… no less than genius or all of the descriptions of intellectual impairments; that is we have created these constructs to deal with something that pre-dates the construct. I don’t get why this is a problem to people, but people sometimes seem to want unassailable truths.

Myomancy: Does ADHD Exist?: “This is not as stupid a question as it sounds. We can’t do a blood test or brain scan to diagnoses ADHD so how do we know it exists? Yes some children are more active than others and have worse concentrations but does that mean its a disease, a mental health problem needing billions of tablets to treat? Is a ADHD a social construct?”

Comments

Does ADHD Exist???

[angieco2.livejournal.com]

DR. J
I do believe that sometimes we put a label on students just because of what we see and how they react to certain situations. I have to agree with you as there is not actual detection of this disease but many teachers and psychologists continue to try to determine what it is that makes have this label with their own opinions. I work with many children that are on medication for ADHD and I feel sad for them because if they would be given the opportunity to learn how to control their behaviours/reactions then maybe they will not need the medication. Just my thoughts!
Angie

Re: Does ADHD Exist???

[complicittheory.livejournal.com]

Your thoughts seem to hit on what worries me. If there's a real need, sure. But you have to try all the non-medication options first. Perhaps it is environmental? Why not focus on that first?

[krisarpet.livejournal.com]

I agree with you J. I take care af a kid with ADHD and he is constantly stoned so the school can deal with him. He is so lethargic. It is not the child I've known for the previous 7 years. So why do it? Just to make life easier in the class? Time to get over that one eh?

[complicittheory.livejournal.com]

That's a tough situation for the child to be in. I was medicated for allergies for many years, but all I needed was a chiropractor. I wonder what I missed.

[jumpinjulia.livejournal.com]

The problem begins with referring to ADD/ADHD (or whatever it's being called this week) as "a mental health problem". Sorry, but I know plenty of people with bona fide cases of manic depression, depression, and schizophrenia... those people have mental health problems. I've also known you for a few years now & have also taught a few students in my time who clearly had ADD (even if they weren't saying so) & I feel like I can say that ADD is not a mental health problem compared to what these other people in my life have. oooh... that just has made me so mad!! :-|

Maybe because I'm a life long asthmatic, I've always thought of ADD as I do asthma. It's just there. It's not really a disease -- because my brain equates disease with death. And if it's something which you happen to have, it just is what it is. Normal. Nothing special. Even when no one around you can relate. ADD, like asthma, is something you learn to live with and manage yourself. But when one is young, we tend to rely too much on adults to teach us to manage these things; unfortunately, not enough adults have healthy attitudes towards chronic conditions in otherwise healthy "normal" people.

To some extent, all chronic conditions & how they are handled are socially constructed. The condition is very real, the maangement is socially constructed. And unfortunately, there is a lot of bad management out there.

OK... I'll stop ranting now. Sorry. That just got my knickers in a twist!

[complicittheory.livejournal.com]

people like to pathologize things, don't they! Like you say, it is 'real' but how we approach it can be handled differently.

ADHD...........life goes on.......Jason, your success proves it.

[senisiwashburn.livejournal.com]

You bet this certainly is an interesting topic. In fact, I'm investigating it a bit deeper than I normally would have. I haven't really worked with a specific child with ADHD, but I recognize the signs. I'm getting worried because I see my son acting very scattered lately. He seems to lose concentration on his homework and sense of direction on tasks. I'm observing him very carefully.......His physical behaviour is normal, and I am also aware that the biological makeup of a teenage brain is not at its best. Having said that, whether ADHD is a disease or pathological state, it is not something you just cover up with medication. A recent report in January (referenced by ECE prof. Issac Smith, reported that Ridilin was a contributing factor to heart/respiratory impairments. Schools aim for a controlled atmoshere, whether it's controlling what the children do....to what the staff teach. School promote control and children with ADHD fall through the cracks when they lack the ability to inhibit their emotions and behaviour. Meds are meeting the needs of the school's expectations not the needs of the students, and I feel that schools and some parents too opt for the easy way out.........not realizing the adverse side affects. Whether you have ADHD or not, there is no perfect student/child or adult for that matter. You must accept the "PACKAGE" you are gifted with and run with it.
You can't turn you back on your child, family or friend with ADHD or any other "abnormal characteristic/ social or mental issues.

Re: ADHD...........life goes on.......Jason, your success proves it.

[complicittheory.livejournal.com]

That's exactly what scares me. If we're medicating children so they'll conform to the institution, what are we doing?

ADHD/ADD

[amyfarbiarz.livejournal.com]

I live with ADD/ADHD and have lived with it I'm sure my whole life. As the doctors put it...I was diagnosed with this problem when I was in grade 4 and have been learning to deal with it since then. I have been on medication and now I am not. My doctor has prescribed Concerta for me and at times I do use it however 98% of the time I am med free. I believe that the children diagnosed with this problem should be taught how to live with it, deal with it and control themselves rather than doping them up as it gives them no avenues for when they are older and choose not to use the medication anymore. Not only that but when it wears off at least they could have more self control.

Re: ADHD/ADD

[complicittheory.livejournal.com]

Here here!

I do wish I had some meds for 2% of the time. But I'm so happy I just found ways of co-existing with the rest of the world.

re: ADHD

[gela-max.livejournal.com]

The scary part of all this is when parents agree with teacher, Oh Yes, I agree my child is ADHD. I know of a parent (family friend) who deliberately told A Doctor to put her daughter on meds. Why? Mom was too caught up in her everyday life to realize that her child was lacking parental attention. I agree with Angie that teachers are often too quick to lable. I also believe that socialy inapropriate behaviours gets more attention in the classroom than learning dissabilities. What are we to do?

Re: ADHD

[complicittheory.livejournal.com]

You're almost saying that we drug children because it is easier than dealing with them. Not us personally, but we as a society. I would like to make that statement, but I'm hesitant, though I'm not sure why. But then locking them up in factory-like schools all day is questionable enough in the first place. Then sitting them in front of mind-numbing games and TV is questionable. One wonders where it will end. One thing I will say, we are in denial when it comes to our responsibility to the next generation.