ADHD is real - but is grossly overdiagnosed. There is even a clinical test for it, which is the method by which my doubts were assuaged.
Reducing carbohydrates and increasing the intake of protein are important in a holistic approach to overcoming a true case of ADHD. The dopaminergic system’s deficiencies cause carb cravings, while protein helps solve some of the problems with the system.
The available pharmacological aids are helpful when very tightly titrated, and coupled with “conditioning” therapy, where the affected child is taught to recognize when they are focusing effectively on their task. Using this method, the drugs become superfluous after a while, and can be discontinued once the child has learned to counter the effects of ADHD by focusing their concentration.
The drugs are heavily over-prescribed for kids who have been given a “behavioral diagnosis”, commonly by the recommendation of their teachers, with compliance to the recommendation by their doctor. 40mg of Ritalin is a HUGE dosage, but isn’t uncommon when the basis for “diagnosis” is a teacher’s observations of the child’s behavior.
The clinical test (which measures cortical slowing under a variety of conditions) has shown that as many as 50% of children given a “behavioral diagnosis” are misdiagnosed.
BTW - I am the father of 2 kids who were diagnosed, treated pharmaceutically and with feedback therapy, and no longer take any pharmaceuticals for ADHD. Their behavioral issues were eliminated as they gained control over their focus, and they greatly enhanced their ability to perform their school work. Neither has any special actions to take, outside of maintaining a healthy diet.
“ADHD is real - but is grossly overdiagnosed. There is even a clinical test for it, which is the method by which my doubts were assuaged.
The drugs are heavily over-prescribed for kids who have been given a “behavioral diagnosis”, commonly by the recommendation of their teachers, with compliance to the recommendation by their doctor. 40mg of Ritalin is a HUGE dosage, but isn’t uncommon when the basis for “diagnosis” is a teacher’s observations of the child’s behavior.”
My wife has worked as the office RN for a great FP for over 30 years. He has had hundreds of boys brought to him by parents demanding a diagnosis of ADHD often because of teachers not having the skills to handle young boys or due to lazy parents.
In those 30 years, he with the help of an excellent child pysch have made about 6 diagnosises of ADHD from the hundreds of boys brought for the diagnosis. Two Pediatric friends with similiar long term practice have similiar low diagnosis. The rest were highly intelligent and energized boys.
With this doctor and the others, medicine has been used with good results and was needed with the real ADHD kids, teens and young adults.
This doctor and his fellow doctor friends, who refuse to rush to diagnosis ADHD have a common comment. They would have been diagnosised as ADHD kids when they were growing up as they were above average in intelligence, got bored in class and many home situations and acted out until they developed coping skills to handle these situations.
Atkins works! : )