Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

[RoboticAnimals]

Does anyone here know a particularly large amount of information regarding ADD or ADHD?

While I myself regularly research and have an intense fascination regarding these disorders, I have recently began to question their validity.

I have found that there is an unusually high correlation between sufferers of ADD and ADHD and those of high intelligence. It seems that most of the people (especially younger males) that are classified as ADD or ADHD are actually quite intelligent but have trouble with things such as schoolwork because of a lack of interest and motivation.

Could it be that these supposed "disorders" are really just a classification for people with a kind of abstract intelligence that doesn't fit in to society's mainstream definition of 'smart'? Obviously there is some validity to the disorder, but there has to be a large portion of intelligent children or adults that are being mis-diagnosed simply because they can't concentrate on tedious or "boring" tasks such as schoolwork.

Any information or opinions you have on this would be great.

 

[rustypouch]

Some of your comments hit home with me.

Unfortunately, I do not know much about it, expect that I was diagnosed with ADHD in grade eight and put on meds.

It sucked.

I would like to think I am of above average intelligence, and I was constantly bored at school. My marks averaged was in the mid-70's without any real effort, and did not see any reason to put any effort in. If I could do better than most people without doing anything, why should I work harder?

I could out-think most people, but my essay writing skills were (and still are) quite weak. I have a difficult time expressing myself with words, and unfortunately for me, that is what the education system stresses as important. I think the teachers could see that I was smart, and that I could do better (probably true) but I don't know if they realised that I cannot write very well.

So instead of studying, homework, or paying attention in class, I would be in my own little world doing things I thought were interesting, but the man didn't think were important.

So it was decided that a regimen of ritalin would be in my best interests.

My school marks did not improve, as I was putting about the same effort into my work before as after, but I lost all motivation for the things that I was interested in. So instead of doodling or daydreaming in class, I would watch the teacher, and still be bored, but I didn't care. After school and on weekends, instead of exploring the city or local parks; playing with my microscope or chemistry set; or building monstrous creations out of lego, I would sit in front of the T.V.

There were also times when I would forget to take my pills and start to comke down, and that was the worst of all.

So in essence, nothing changed except that it was easier for the teachers to think I was paying attention and not disrupting in class, but occasionaly getting the shakes and losing interest in all outside activities.

About six months later I was taken off the meds, and things got better. (for me at least) School still was boring, but at least I could do what I wanted outside of it.

I am not sure what the point of this rant is, as there is no real information but some experience and opinions. I just what to say to anyone out there, don't put your kids on meds.

 

[dsm]

I'll second RustyPouch. Up until recently, I hadn't thought of myself as ADD (and I still haven't been diagnosed as such), but lately I've begun to reanalyze my life and am finding a lot of familiar items in the list of symptoms (like what RP mentioned).

I would tend to think that the correlation between ADD/ADHD and intelligent people is one of two things:

1. Intelligent people are more likely to recognize the symptoms and (with doctor's help) deal with it.
2. Intelligent people are more likely to have the necessary chemical reactions in the brain that would lead to ADD.
   [/list=1]
   
   I'm tending toward #2 in my thinking.

 

[Prospero]

They're real, but rare

To start with, ADD and ADHD are the two most over-diagnosed psychological disorders this decade. I say decade because certain psychological disorders come into "popularity" where psychologists start actively looking for one particular disorder as opposed to narrowing down the list of alternatives.

Anyway, it's like this: adolescent males are extremely energetic and rarely interested in the things that society has decided they should be interested in, namely schoolwork. They would much rather be interacting with the world around them than actually studying about it. This leads parents to get frustrated over bad grades (because the child's busy daydreaming about whatever's outside the classroom window) and get a psychologist involved. Ritalin or Aderol is prescribed and the energy level goes down to a point where it is managable and the child doesn't find himself so agonizingly bored with classwork. Personally, I think it's tragic because it does tend to be the smart kids that have this energy and drive, but can't find an outlet in the way society's set up.

Consider it from an evolutionary point of view. You've just become an adolescent. That means you've managed to survive under your mother's care until the point when you're able to fend for yourself. Now, though, you actually have to fend for yourself. That involves foraging, possibly hunting, exploring, basically discovering the world around you to make yourself more independent and adaptable. The energy obviously comes in useful, as does the near insatiable desire to explore and discover the world so as to be better equipped to deal with it on your own. Those with the most energy and quick/most inquisitive minds have the advantage of the others and are more likely to survive.

This survival strategy obviously has no parallel in modern society, whose conventions require children to sit still and pay attention to material taught in ways in which they have no interest in learning.

That being said, though, I don't want to make it appear as those ADD and ADHD aren't true disorders. I work at a summer camp where kids are frequently sent on "med vacations". It's a truly malicious act the parents do to councelors of taking the kids off their meds during the summer so they are able to be themselves and allow their natural curiosity and energy to have free reign. The really problem is the kids that have no real self-control. Most kids learn how to check their impulses, despite their contrary desires. The ADD kids don't have enough self-control to really monitor themselves and maintain a steady train of thought when there is something much more interesting elsewhere and the current situation doesn't hold enough appeal to maintain their attention.

As to the validity of the disorders, I can state without hesitation that both exist, but are not nearly as common as claimed in the research. In my summer camp, for example, we had roughly 230 new kids per week, ages 7-15. During that time, it was extremely easy to meet all the adolescents (age group of which I was in charge) and develop relationships with each. Of the 80 adolescents per week for 10 weeks, I don't believe I encountered more than 6. Though many of our kids came to camp and were labeled by the nurse as "ADD or ADHD kids", many of them were most definitely capable of controlling themselves. I was appalled at the numbers I talked to that claimed to be ADD or ADHD when they clearly weren't. I've been at this camp for 13 years and believe myself to be better versed in the practical application of developmental psychology than many of my peers. Whether that's is a matter of debate, but my observations leave me disturbed and disappointed with the field in general. More, though, I feel sorry for the kids that are subjected to a medicinal regime for which they have no real need.

 

[Boo]

Unfortunately, as has been stated before, society has in my opinion,started medicating children as a substitue for poor parenting skills.

The disorders do exist and many children and families have been helped. These children are at increased risk for other problems, including traumatic injuries.

One of the things that must be kept in mind is that as medicine learns more about a disorder and names it there is a rise in diagnosis. Not that more cases exists, just being recognized for what they truly are. This phenomanae is also being seen in Autism as well. It is fairly common trend.

I will also add that currently there is a big push within the medical community to recognize and treat mental and behavioral disorders. Instead of referals to speacilists, Primary care Dr's (family practice, GP, etc) are encouraged to evaluate and prescibe medications to treat these problems. This increases the risk for misdiagnosis and over treatment.

It all boils down to what the media chooses to put forth to the public as well as pharmaceutical companies placing ads for it's 'latest breakthrough' in the treatment of......(fill in the blank).


Give it a few years or months, and something else will catch the attention of the media and the public.



Boo