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I didn't say you are connected with Scientology, but you have certainly been influenced by "research" which is funded and pushed into the media by Scientology. Just like A.N.S.W.E.R., Scientology employs hordes of "useful idiots" to achieve its objectives.

The fact there's a huge supply of examples of phony ADD diagnoses, hardly proves that there are no real cases. I heartily agree that discipline, diet, elimation of video games, etc. need to be employed first, before any proper diagnosis of ADD/ADHD can be made. And I heartily agree than in a majority of diagnoses, this has not been done. But there are also plenty of examples where it has been done exhaustively, and the problem remained serious, and was significantly improved by medication. More importantly, there is some evidence to suggest that medication during childhood may increase the chance that the child outgrows the problem (most children who use Ritalin during their school years do not continue to need it as adults). Waiting until past the childhood/adolescent period of high neurological malleability could result in the problem becoming permanent, when that could have been avoided.

I heartily agree that discipline, diet, elimation of video games, etc. need to be employed first, before any proper diagnosis of ADD/ADHD can be made.

On discipline, I only discipline when the kids "dis-obey", not when the accidently make a mistake... On Video games, mine hardly play at all, my daughter (who is ADHD)doesn't play them. On Diet, you may be on to something...My daughter hardly eats, I don't know if it is drug related or not. But I am willing to try to see if diet can help improve her condition. Any suggestions?

Jean here,

My mother is a teacher in a High School. She will tell you that ADD actually exists... in about a third of a percent of all diagnosed cases. She's taught for seven years, and she knows. When a real ADD or ADHD kid comes along, they are usualy some of her hardest working kids. My mom is usually called the strictest, most disciplined, and hardest test giver at the school, yet these real ADHD and ADD students thrive in her class.

However, more often than not, she get kids who are merely diagnosed with the disorder and could function fine without any drugs. But usually by the time they get to high school, they have been taught they're the victim and incapable of controlling themselves. They use the disease as an excuse not to do work. If they do badly on a test, all they need to say is they couldn't concentrate even though they had taken they're drugs, and suddenly it's my mom's fault they got a bad grade. Cause she doesn't treat them special (like every other teacher they have ever known). Note: the real sick kids never EVER make this complaint.

i have ODD occupation defiance disorder :) will my boss give me a time out doh, i guess so thats a pink slip but if its a disorder then they cant fire me under the americans with disabilities act! so they would have to accomodate me. btw im joking i actually like my job