Are attention deficit disorders legitimate? Or are they media scams?
Conspirators, decked in their shining armour, gather from all political parties to wave their knightly banners against Ritalin; O'Riley on fox and Good Morning America even united on their segment campaigns to speak against the drug. In these pompuous displays, the issues brought to attention are the improper uses of ritalin, and primarily the 'ADD/ADHD' mania that has swept through public high schools. Students themselves are self-diagnosing as sufferers. The paranoia has spread to parents and teachers, who want peace and minimal attention or shame. These adults send their children to doctors who only wants money grafted into their pocketbooks. And who can blame the parents for wanting the best for their child? The doctors for wanting money? The teachers for wanting silence in their classroom? Newsflash: Attention Deficit Disorders herald a new era of scapegoats -- for scapegoats.
If a child is performing poorly, it is not a reflection on parenting, teaching, culture, or any trauma he has inflicted or inflicted upon another. If it is an 'inborne' difficulty, with no person to blame. And there is a simple fiscal solution for the child's behavior. In a generation of children with parents who increasingly give "objects" instead of time - as is the unfortunate case of many single or divorced parents who have to work - spending money is the most effective way to care for a child. While not always the case (and I have seen many wonderful working parents of ADHD children), statistically, a broken family adds social scars and stress to a child at an early age. These problems, when naturally manifesting in the classroom, must be explained away. What better way to ease the guilt than relay it to an outside source, to 'vanquish' the problem?
A chemical malfunction should not entail this shame.
Or, if one does not want to believe that parents are to blame for misbehavior, what of the doctors? Are they part of a scheme, a hype to convince adults that their children need to become dependent on drugs for success? Some students use Ritalin as an effective study aid during finals. Is this healthy? Is this part of some massive scam? How can one in ten children truly suffer from a dehabilitating disease that entails depression, anxiety, various phobias and trauma?
The truth is, one in ten children doesn't suffer from ADD/ADHD. Most of them suffer from symptoms - which are misconstrued, and played off to the easy solution.
I do not, however, believe that all children suffer from 'symptoms'. That is the same as telling an autistic child that he is 'stupid'. In ADD/ADHD children, there are chemical imbalances in the neurological sphere. Common frailties such as inattention contrasts hyperfocus, and poor discipline is terribly difficult from the child who is terrified of being still. For those who do not have training or primary experience, 'weeding out' a true sufferer from the farce is a near insurmountable task. However, legitimate doctors recognize this societal hypochondria. Most importantly, legitimate doctors do recognize persons suffering from severe and consequential forms of ADD/ADHD. And even they are not all given ritalin - but other types of stimulants, or non-stimulants, that may be better effective for each of the persons individually.
As an ADHD sufferer diagnosed in 1992, I have been aware throughout my life of the full valid aspects of this disorder. On that same token I have dealt with the negatives, and also the strong, linking attributes of intensity that nearly all of the 'victims' endure. It is not egotistical for a person with ADHD to recognize the symptoms in others, and recognize a sham in most. I have found it evident that people have different degrees of the disorder - much like there are differences between a heartbroken preteen and a suicidal drug-addict. But first and foremost, I have learned that both ADD and ADHD can be distinct and true disorders outside of a subject's willpower or intellectual control.
Every patient's case is different. Every person's lifestyle comes from his unique childhood and environments. Just as each patient has an individual case, I cannot help but wonder if each conspirator has this same individual complex?
If a person is unwilling to validate an internationally recognized disorder - as being true for some people, though different from what he may expect it to be - does he believe that any person without a physically evident disease is not, in fact, suffering? Or is it a fear that stems from Attention Deficit disorders themselves, a fear that people don't always have motivations for their actions, and may act outside of their control? (If that is true, I wonder if this conspirator has some resentment towards organized religion, also!?) Finally, is this person upset that some actions are not, in fact, calculated measures to gain money or expedience? That a physician may actually want to treat a person, to help them conquer a life-impacting disorder?
I recognize that some people will always stand by their opinions, that the world is a manipulative and dishonest place, through and through. But to this I say, puh-leeze! Being jaded and uninformed isn't a flattering combination.
[QUOTE=caseinpoint]Thanks Bridget, I wish it was possible to educate someone and expect them to understand what they had been told. Wouldn't it be nice to have a P.O.V. machine like that of Douglas Adam's Hitchhiker's Guide? Nothing short would be effective in helping one to comprehend a life outside of his worldview. That goes for ADD, ADHD, Chronic Fatigue, Menstrual Cycles... and I'm only half-joking about the latter.
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yes it would be but isnt that wishful thinking....only wish those that are to ignorant to be educated knew how to shut the h*ll up when they dont even know what they are talking about
I wonder if there is even a solution to making stupid people quiet... You know, outside of fascism.
Thanks Bridget, I wish it was possible to educate someone and expect them to understand what they had been told. Wouldn't it be nice to have a P.O.V. machine like that of Douglas Adam's Hitchhiker's Guide? Nothing short would be effective in helping one to comprehend a life outside of his worldview. That goes for ADD, ADHD, Chronic Fatigue, Menstrual Cycles... and I'm only half-joking about the latter.
I think we need to bombard the shows which are airing negativity about ADHD, with letters, phone calls and e-mails from ADHDers.
We need to insist that they have qualified experts on the show who are not afraid to state that ADHD is real. There is scientific evidence of ADHD, but the media is not allowing it to come out.
We need to insist that ADHD either be treated fairly or threaten to boycott these programs until they show it accurately.
I just e-mailed the Montel Williams show today about this. I asked him to have Dr. Hallowell and Mel Levine on to state their views. They are certainly more qualified to discuss it than Mary Block or Tom Cruise.
When we become aware of a program which only presents the negative viewpoint and the deceit that many are using to try to convince people that ADHD doesn't exist, it is our duty to contact the show and insist on fair publicity.
caseinpoint i agree with brookelea well stated...i only wish there was a way to get those who are in denial of this disorder to get them educated and to understand what life is like being add or adhd.....
thank you for your post casinpoint...very interesting by the way
well stated caseinpoint..