Originally Posted by
FindersKeepers
I'm sure you're right -- but the real question is whether ADHD is being over-diagnosed and misdiagnosed.
What is the real percentage of children diagnosed with ADHD that have a true neurodevelopmental disorder and those who are say, depressed or traumatized, or have a learning disability and are exhibiting symptoms similar to true ADHD?
Even kids with sleeping disorders can have similar symptoms. Or kids with allergies that regularly take antihistamines. So many variable.
It makes sense that if exercise and structure are recommended for those diagnosed with ADHD that experts have seen some benefit from that.
I think a number of mistakes are being made in diagnosing ADHD today. One of the biggest being teachers who have been conditioned to think an overly active child must have ADHD. A teacher is not a mental health expert, yet that's where the first concerns of ADHD often originate. Then the teacher creates a report that substantiates her belief that a child has ADHD.
Add in parents who are exasperated and who just want a little relief from parenting via a drugged kid.
So yes, you're right that ADHD is a real disorder that can be measured, but how many doctors are verifying their diagnosis via brain tests? Probably close to none. Instead, they're using self-reporting, rating scales, and questionnaires.
My feelings are that maybe one in 10 children (or even fewer) diagnosed with ADHD actually have a medical problem.
All of us know children we grew up with who would be diagnosed as ADHD today, but weren't. They bounced off walls, were disruptive in class, did not listen, could not stay on task, were easily distracted, talked excessively, interrupted, squirmed and fidgeted.
And, they're highly successful adults today.
That's not to say ADHD doesn't exist. I know it does.
But, I also feel it's vastly over-diagnosed. Before any drugs are offered, a child should be put on a diet that restricts sugar and chemical preservatives, they should eat healthy, wholesome foods, maybe supplement with Omega 3 fatty acids, be encouraged to exercise and maybe even learn to meditate.
No drugs should ever be offered until all other avenues have been exhausted. As a parent, I would run away from any doctor who was quick to diagnose ADHD and prescribe drugs.
But, that's one of our problems in today's society -- we're so quick to believe drugs are the way to solve our problems.