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I can't believe some of your statements here about ADHD meds. I agree they are overused and children who shouldn't be on them are, but some kids actually do need them and have better lives because of it.

My 8 year old son has ADHD and is on Strattera which is a non stimulant, however it is for ADHD. My son get all the love and attention I can give him and than some. He also eats his vegeteables, fruits, and sweets he only eats now and than. Heck, he turns down birthday cake at his brothers party last month, that is how much he doesn't have a sweet tooth!

I have ADHD and in was untreated. If I could go back and do it all over again I would have medicated, but there were no drugs existing at that time. My son had inherited my learning disabilities and my ADHD. I know exactly how it feels and what is going on in my sons head, I have been there. It is a hard thing to see him suffer everyday and his poor self esteem be affected the way it has been. I ask myself what kind of mother would I be if I didn't help my son? I will do whatever it takes.

So before people here think it is all about just giving your child attention and you must not be giving them enough attention I say that is rediculous! It has nothing to do with that!! I am a stay at home mom by choice so that I can go almost everyday to my sons school and eat lunch with him and play on the playground with him. I also go on every field trip, an involved with every school function he is in, and never miss a beat!! Is this a child that is not getting enough attention from his mother and father? My husband when home spends all his time with our boys outside playing sports, cars, whatever he can!

ADHD is real and I'm sorry there are few here who just think children need to eat less sweets and get more attention at home to be cured. I've done both and continue to do both and my son still has suffered. I hope and pray no one has to go through seeing your child beg for help the way I have seen my son beg!

You are absolutely correct. It is very real. It's so easy to sit back and JUDGE other people while never experiencing it for yourself.

Living with a child with ADHD is painful, frustrating, physically and mentally taxing. You love them, you discipline them, you give them a good moral upbringing, provide educational support, pshcological support and attempt to find medication to correct the endocrine imbalance.

You have probably tried every method known to man I'm sure. It is not an issue of discipline. It is often an issue of a chemical imbalance in the brain.

God bless you and good luck with the post, your fixin to get flamed by all sorts of people who think they know whats best for YOUR child.

Ah, I have found a kindred spirit, lol. Two years ago I would have been one that told you your son needed a whop on the behind not medication. Now, I completely understand. I haven't medicated my son and still don't know if I will but I believe there are wonderful parents who wouldn't do anything to harm their child who see there is no other option for the time being.

Agree with Halls. Had a "sprinter" daughter (meaning, she could burn brilliantly through any short-term project, but anything long-term would crush her) who was not formally diagnosed with ADHD until she was 20. The doc didn't just pull out a scrip pad. She was extensively tested.

Then doc starts talking to me, about me and my family history. Good grief, I and two brothers struggled like crazy with this back in the 50s. There is a hereditary component, and it was established then and there. (Looking back on my father's side of the family, there was a brother of his who was "no damned good, wouldn't stick to anything," back in the 30s. Poor bastard.)

Just because something is overdiagnosed doesn't mean it's nonexistent.

You are so right that there are properly diagnosed and successfully treated ADD children and adults. One thing I may add it that all drugs, including psychiatric, should be managed by a specialist, in this case, a psychiatrist

IMHO, one of the reasons for these frightening statistics is the lack of a psychiatrist, instead a general practitioner, or anything but a psychiatry's has make the diagnosis and prescriptions. See a psychiatrist.

This would cut down greatly on the number of "diagnoses" and subsequent prescriptions. And the meds must be managed by the a psychiatrist as well. This is extremely important to avoid highly dangerous circumstances towards oneself, or others.

Let's not discount this illness's validity based on a majority of misdiagnosed cases.

best to you...

I agree that some kids need Ritalin or other neuromodulating drugs in the same way that diabetics need insulin. However, it is almost always prescribed to kids without any other therapy tried and without proper consultation. I personally suspect videogames and TV to be the main reason for ADHD.

The images on TV are quick, and cartoons often even quicker. Scientific study and common sense says that this rewires the brain so the child and sometimes adult can adjust, but then finds that it can no longer concentrate on anything that isn't flashing by at warp 10.

Horrible but true.