| Many people are starting to question the rise in | | | | can provide several hours of intense focus that can |
| diagnosed cases of ADHD in this country. Some | | | | help get a student through the next test or assist an |
| people question if the condition actually exists. The | | | | athlete with their performance in an important |
| United States is one of the only countries that think this | | | | upcoming event. This may be something that is too |
| is even a problem. In many other nations it is | | | | hard to resist for some. |
| considered normal childhood behavior and is first | | | | Use as a recreational drug |
| treated by natural means and not the drugs that we | | | | Many teenagers are buying them from their friends to |
| use to address the problem. Of all the Ritalin used in | | | | get high. They consume these in large amounts and |
| the world the U.S. is responsible for consuming 90% of | | | | may be setting themselves up for some serious |
| it while we account for only 5% of the world's | | | | consequences. These drugs have side effects such |
| population. | | | | as suicidal tendencies, insomnia, stunted growth and |
| For people that do have ADHD proper diagnosis and | | | | liver and heart damage. Because they are taking many |
| treatment can have profound effects on their lives. | | | | times the recommended dosages these side effects |
| They do better in school, at work and get along better | | | | can be magnified. |
| with their peers. These drugs have been shown to | | | | Adults that are looking for an advantage in the |
| help these people. The problem is that these drugs | | | | workplace |
| have the same type of affect on people that do not | | | | If you have adult ADHD a correct diagnosis and |
| have ADHD. Diagnosis is sometimes a blurry area. | | | | treatment can assist in better performance and a |
| There is no biological test that tells us if a person has it | | | | better life. The problem is that diagnosis in adults is |
| or not. It is more objective than scientific. If a person | | | | very difficult. It requires one to look back on their |
| becomes well versed in the symptoms they can fake | | | | childhood for information which will assist in the |
| it. The positive affects of these treatments can only | | | | diagnosis. An adult with knowledge of the symptoms |
| be obtained by a diagnosis of ADHD and a | | | | may be able to answer questions in a way to obtain |
| prescription for these drugs. | | | | the desired diagnosis. |
| WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF OVER DIAGNOSIS? | | | | The business aspect |
| Parents | | | | An entire industry has been spawned by the increase |
| Many times parents and teachers do not feel like | | | | in ADHD diagnosis. Some of these are legitimate and |
| dealing with a child that is out of control. Diagnosis and | | | | bring value to people lives while others are only |
| treatment is a quick fix to change any negative | | | | designed to benefit the business owner. |
| behavior. A positive diagnosis is seen as an aid to | | | | We have coaches and councilors, programs for |
| general parenting. It solves the problem of an unruly | | | | parents, software, websites and books. All of these |
| child. The problem is that treatment usually takes one | | | | companies depend on treating people that have been |
| form and that is to medicate them. | | | | positively diagnosed and may contribute to the over |
| It is much easier when a problem child just stops being | | | | diagnosis. |
| a problem. This solves the problem for parents that do | | | | It is the job of these companies to keep the topic of |
| not have the time to parent and teachers that feel | | | | ADHD in people's minds through news media and |
| they do not have the time to teach. What it does not | | | | advertising. They do this under the pretense of |
| do is address the underlying problem that the child has. | | | | educating people when in fact there is little education |
| The problem is not the manufacturers of these | | | | behind the sales pitch. You should not confuse this with |
| medications it is the people that use them as the only | | | | objective education. |
| or primary way to treat ADHD. Even in children that | | | | People need to understand that this is business and |
| are not a problem it has become all too easy to call | | | | not to believe everything they hear. |
| them a problem and subject them with unneeded | | | | In conclusion, if you feel that your life is negatively |
| treatments. | | | | affected by ADHD by all means get tested. But |
| Abuse of ADHD medications | | | | remember that medication is not the answer to |
| These drugs have become noticed by students, | | | | everything. Look at diet, exercise and natural remedies. |
| professional athletes and teenagers. They are looked | | | | In other words educate yourself to your options. |
| at by these people as performance enhancers. They | | | | |