Diagnosing And Treading Attention Deficit Disorders
A lot of people suffer from attention deficit disorders. It's not uncommon for children to be diagnosed with ADD (attention deficit disorder) or ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), but less common is for an adult to be diagnosed, although a child with an attention deficit disorder will usually turn into an adult with the same condition.
Attention deficit disorders are one of those mental disorders that a lot of doctors and therapists are very quick to diagnose. Because there’s really no way to prove you have an attention deficit disorder, it’s a sort of vague diagnosis that no one can really get in trouble for. I’m not sure if that’s the reason, but for some reason attention deficit disorders are an ‘in vogue’ condition, and it’s sort of hip to diagnose people with it.
I’m certainly not saying that attention deficit disorders don’t exist, they do. However, what I am saying is if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with an attention deficit disorder, don’t go running directly to the pharmacy to get a lifetime supply of drugs. First of all, get a second opinion, and maybe even a third. If it's yourself - as an adult - who's been diagnosed, it's often helpful to really look at yourself, and your own actions and behavior. You'll have a much better understanding of them than anyone else. Do you really need medication? That's a question only you can answer. If it's a child who's been diagnosed, look at the reasons behind the diagnosis. Children have a lot of energy, and many do find it difficult to sit still, even at times when it's appropriate to do so. Do these children really suffer from an attention deficit disorder?
I was diagnosed with an attention deficit disorder and spent two months taking a stimulant drug that made me feel like I’d just drank 4 cups of coffee all day long. When I saw a second doctor about it, he suggested I cease the medication. I often find it difficult to understand why children with attention deficit disorders, who often find it hard to sit still and concentrate, are given forms of amphetamine for treatment. Surely this would have the opposite effect!
Looking back on the experience, I don’t think I have an attention deficit disorder, but rather just wasn’t getting enough sleep at the time I was diagnosed. Therein lies the problem with attention deficit disorders; a lot of things can mimic the symptoms of one, and there’s really no way of telling what’s going on exactly. It could be reactions to particular food, a lack of sleep, not enough exercise, or something else. Some children simply find it difficult to concentrate on things which don't interest them, but their so-called ADD disappears when they're really involved and interested in something.
The problem is that sSchool therapists just seem to love labeling kids with an attention deficit disorder whenever they can’t figure what else could possibly be wrong. Personally, I think a lot of kids are just high energy by nature, and have trouble sitting still; I think it’s a bit extreme to label that a disorder and put them on amphetamine-like stimulants, which will cause all sorts of other problems, such as loss of appetite and insomnia - surely things which will only compound the situation.
Again, I’m sure that there are children out there that really do have a mysterious and unexplainable attention deficit disorder, but probably 9 times out of 10 they’re just being kids and will probably calm down as they get older.
While it seems that attention deficit disorders are finally beginning to wane slightly in popularity, they’re still a common diagnosis. It looks to me that the new stylish disorder is going to be bipolar disorder. I can’t wait for someone to diagnose me with that so I can try some new drugs!
