You actually have physiological symptoms. In the case of ADD/ADHD the symptoms are are vague and subjective. Giving someone a pill and observing behavior change doesn’t establish anything. I can give anyone who is normal caffeine, amphetamines, or Xanax and change behavior. If the normal person is tired and takes caffeine, for example, he will feel and function better. Nevertheless, it would be absurd to conclude that the person had a mental illness that required treatment by caffeine or that indicated a caffeine deficiency. Instead, what you have is someone who needs more sleep. Similarly, changing behavior by drugging with Ritalin does not demonstrate that there is a mental illness or a Ritalin deficiency. ADD/ADHD is a bogus diagnosis that was concocted to persuade parents to medicate their children to maintain order in schools because traditional discipline has disappeared in many homes and all government schools.
This is a diagnosis that is simply a way to eliminate what the school deems bad behavior by medication. Critics point out that this so-called mental illness goes away in the summer.
This may explain why I have never met a homeschooler ( who has been homes schooled from the beginning) who has had ADHD or ADD.
The doctors first tried Xanax at 2mg every 12 hours. It worked half the time. Then they tried SSRI's and other antidepressants which made it much worse all the time. Finally one doctor saw the problem and said lets try a.5mg or hald a MG 4 times a day instead and it has worked 17 years.
AS for how I learned a lot of whet I know and knew where too start looking? There is one man out there who has likely hit the nail on the head about ADD ADHD and even many causes of anxiety disorder. It is Sensory Processing Disorders. IOW Va Primary Neurological Cause undetected by doctors but they are only treated the secondary symptoms which can mimic ADD ADHD. Thus an epidemic. Read up on Harold Levinsom MD's writings. His book Phobia Free gave me a good idea of what was going on with me and he was right as my medical history matched.
To explain it better ADD ADHD is likely covering several yet to be diagnosed neurological or physical disorders in the same fact that proven Central Auditory Processing Disorder does. Levinsons linking of Vestibular Disorders to ADD ADHD as well as anxiety disorders back in the 1970's is likely the right direction. So much so in fact C.A.P.D. descriptions follows almost word for word his findings that were scoffed at for years.
You say I have physiological symptoms? True but the lesson here is one people are forgetting Many mental health related issues are the direct cause of a undetected neurological or physical ailment and it can be something as simple as a Bad Inner Ear Infection. Mental Health disorders generally do not trigger seizure activity. But in my earliest childhood I did not have seizures that started at age 34. I was born one eye functional. I am functionally blind in either eye meaning the one I can not use with the other. I have very poor coordination that took two years of Occupational Therapy to be able to walk a straight line and deal with the other issues it causes like no depth perception. I had chronic sinus allergies as well. I was deemed hyperactive. When someone told me something it took several tries till I understood it sometimes. My feet? LOL My parents bought me shoes once per month. I could break over the best pair.
OK the reason the shrink tried caffeine because it is a stimulant. In rare actual true ADD ADHD cases they do work. Now unlike you I believe the ADD ADHD that requires Ritalin is simply symptoms which are being triggered most likely by a hidden physical or neurological disorder medical science has yet too pin point. Most persons said too have mental illness in fact do not. They have other ailments of which cognitive behavioral issues are causing that type of symptoms :>}
I know considerably more on this matter than you. I have lived with it 54 years and I have done the look ups for 17 years to get answers. I learned answers about it most Shrinks don't even know. I have too take Xanax because it tones down my sensory processing system too a level I can function at. In doing so that in turn eases or highly limits sensory triggers such as sight and sound that start my seizures. I have Inner Damage confirmed. I have visual issues confirmed. Now pay close attention to what I am saying. This portion of the sensory processing system and brain control the release of some of the strongest chemicals and reactions in the human brain.