Ritalin Debate: Some Experts Doubt Existence of ADHD

Cybercast News Service (CNSNews.com) ^ | April 18, 2003 | Patrick Goodenough

[Lazamataz]

I think this article is spot on!

You're entitled to your opinion. I take the opposite position.

I'll concede that this article is good in this regard: It is wonderful any time the scientific community challenges long- or popularly-held beliefs. Scrutiny of ADD and the medicines thereof cannot be a bad thing.

[Lazamataz]

Do you know that when I was a child, RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF BEING SCOLDED, when a child's attention is the most focused, I would 'zone out'? That's right, in the MIDDLE of being scolded or disciplined, I would lose focus on the topic.

If that is not ADD, I don't know what is.

Thanks for exposure to that information. Because of the medicine I am now on, I can read it without losing concentration and flitting off to another, more stimulating task. ;^)

[FITZ]

And adults. Don't forget the adults.

There are brilliant adults who are almost completely unable to "stay on task" and it can be pretty damaging to them professionally. I don't believe much in medicines ---and I don't believe they necessarily have a "problem" except with life in modern society. I know people who are off on so many tangents, they forget to renew professional licenses, they put off paying bills even if they have plenty of money to pay them, they don't get around to opening their mail and their lives become almost a disaster.

[Lazamataz]

There are brilliant adults who are almost completely unable to "stay on task" and it can be pretty damaging to them professionally. I don't believe much in medicines ---and I don't believe they necessarily have a "problem" except with life in modern society. I know people who are off on so many tangents, they forget to renew professional licenses, they put off paying bills even if they have plenty of money to pay them, they don't get around to opening their mail and their lives become almost a disaster.

That nearly perfectly describes me.

Before ritalin and my ADD diagnosis, that is. Now I am (almost) responsible.

[Lazamataz]

Psssssssst - hope my parents don't find out that I'm really a spoiled rotten brat who needs some attention and discipline. Not that I'm alittle older I love all the material things they shower on me because they insist on BOTH working full time. Yeah, I'm pissed off at em but with ritalin I'm more relaxed and life goes on as usual for me, Did I mention that I get special treatment because of this "problem"? Like that too.

Your sarcasm will be returned with sincerity.

I, on the other hand, was diagnosed with ADD before ritalin was discovered as a treatment for ADD. They hit me with some heavy tranquilizers, and even as a child I knew tranq's were WRONG. I used to hide them, pretend I took them, threw them out, etc. So I was definitely not interested in the 'special treatment' I received.

As I wrote to another: "Do you know that when I was a child, RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF BEING SCOLDED, when a child's attention is the most focused, I would 'zone out'? That's right, in the MIDDLE of being scolded or disciplined, I would lose focus on the topic."

Fast forward many years. Several people independently observe I have ADD symptoms. I finally, after decades, listen to one of them. I am IMMEDIATELY diagnosed with rather severe ADD. The medicine I receive changes me about 100% into someone who CAN concentrate. Someone who CAN complete tasks. Someone who is just about a completely different person.

So I understand, from the sarcasm in your posts on this topic, that you are an ideologue on this topic. Be aware that if you managed to eliminate the concept of ADD in the medical community, and outlaw treatment for this malady, that you would be severely damaging the quality of my life.

[Lazamataz]

There is a new treatment that is not a stimulent. It's called Strattera. It's made by Lilly (full disclosure; this is the company I work for, though not on the Strattera product team).

Thanks! I will mention it to my doctor. I do understand that long-term exposure to ritalin is undesireable....

It's interesting that people most always associate ADHD with children when that certainly isn't the case. Kids with ADHD grow up and become adults; untreated adults may have trouble keeping jobs, have higher average of substance abuse, etc.

Yes, I agree on all counts.

[Lazamataz]

Laz! It's you!

No it isn't. It's some other Lazamataz. You have me confused with him.

[Lazamataz]

(past tense sedaced)

Could you please define this word, or identify it as a typo? I am either interested in learning a new word or trying to figure what you were saying. ;^)

[Lazamataz]

Some of these problems (along with high blood pressure for example) are due to chemical imbalances. No trauma is seen, but the chemistry just isn't right.

Yes, I agree. Some of this is also hereditary in nature.

[SauronOfMordor]

When my middle daughter was in 1st grade, we were called into a conference at school. The school wanted to have here "evaluated" by a doctor that they would recommend. Suspecting that this was a prelude to having her Ritalinized, I declined. The principal then told me she would like for me to sign a form saying I declined to have my kid evaluated, and gave me an info packet (about 75 pages of legalese and bureaucratese).

When we got home, my wife called her friend, who was a special-education teacher in another district, who confirmed that this sort of conference ALWAYS led to an ADHD/Special-ed designation. And buried in the "info packet" was the disclosure that, if parents refused evaluation, the school could appeal the refusal AND HAVE THE KID EVALUATED ANYWAY. (They probably did not expect many parents to actually wade thru that huge document and discover this). So the next day, I filed notification that were starting homeschooling for my kid

She's now in 3rd grade, reading very well, and with no study problems. It turns out her behavior problems were due to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). We were giving her breakfasts high in carbohydrates (pancakes, Eggo waffles, sugary cereal), which was causing her blood sugar to spike, and then crash. Upon switching to high-protein breakfast (meat, cheese), the problems went away (meat digests slowly, providing a more gradual and sustained source of nutrients into her blood stream throughout the morning)

[Zipporah]

..could it be that 'zoning out' meant you were bored to death?? I don't think losing focus when you were being scolded or disciplined means anyone has ADD.. more like escapism. Not unusual in boys.. but if you are on meds and it's making you 'better'.. good for you.

[Lazamataz]

..could it be that 'zoning out' meant you were bored to death??

During a scolding???

I cannot possibly imagine any discipline session in my youth that was 'boring'. :o)

But thanks for your good wishes as to my continued treatment. I am delighted to see you are not an anti-ADD ideologue.

[FITZ]

I'm not sure I agree with putting a diagnosis on that condition though ---it's probably more a factor of modern society ---what might be problems are actually probably real gifts in some way. ADD is a recent diagnosis ---but probably before the 1900's, it wasn't a problem to be that way.

[FITZ]

I think one problem people with ADD have isn't that they can't pay attention, they are paying attention to many things at once ---multitasking. A kid who is talking to the kid behind him in school, playing with his erasers, watching the birds outside the window, thinking about the game cheats he's going to try for his video games, might still be listening to the teacher but doesn't get the assignment right because they missed part of the instructions. Often he is still learning and able to do well enough on standardized tests ---even if the teacher gives him bad grades.

[SauronOfMordor]

As it happens, a little bit of ADHD isn't necessarily bad -- it spurs creativity, and is apparently very common among very bright people.

It looks like the tendency to hyper-focus on "interesting" stuff, and be easily distracted from "dull" stuff, can be a plus or minus depending on the context, and what the person considers "interesting". If the "interesting" thing that the person hyper-focuses on is a fly buzzing across a busy street, then it's a problem. If the interesting thing is mathematics, physics, music, or art, and he has high IQ, then you have genius

[LisaAnne]

I had very good results using Bio-Feedback to increase my concentration.

[hosepipe]

ADHD = spoiled kids...
spoiled at home, spoiled at school
and then "medicated" to a stupor or not...
Spoiled kids become spoiled adults
That future spouses(and lawyers), and bosses have to deal with..

Spoiled kids <<- a reality ever since parents undertook on the job training.. always has been, always will be.. Grand parents spoiling the children, pre-supposes proper discipline at home... Spanking works(in moderation), time-out is time out for the parents from the kids THEY'VE SPOILED..
Kids understand spank, don't understand convoluted sematics... always have, always will...

[The FRugitive]

Amphetimines are bad, m'kay? (except for children and F-16 pilots)

[A. Pole]

The problem is that for some folks (such as will soon be crowding this thread), ADD is primarily an ideological issue. As such, its reality must be denied or minimized.

Or maybe the reverse is true? That for the devotees of social engineering the forced drugging is one of key tools (together with diversity training) to build the Brave New World?

[steve8714]

It is in my son.