Ok....its a big
topic in schools, pediatrician offices and child psych offices.
So why is it such a big topic? I mean after all, it is a
legitimate disorder right?? Well, some people believe it is and
some believe it isn't. Personally, I believe it is, however I do
agree that the probability of children and adults being overdosed
with medications is very high. If a child does not have the
ability to sit still, are they ADD or ADHD? If their mind wanders
constantly, if they start and stop various activities are they
ADD/ADHD? If they are easily upset, irritable or hyper? Does that
count too? It is my belief that some children may be
misdiagnosed. As well, there are certainly the children that go
through childhood and adolescence never being diagnosed. I was
one of them. I was not diagnosed until age 19, when after taking
an intro to psych class I began to wonder if I might have ADD.
After my DR ran through a series of tests and questions it became
apparent that the probability was high. I felt better knowing
that I wasn't dumb, flaky, too talkative, too sensitive and
unwilling to do so many things. The constant motto during my
childhood was: "Shannon could do this (fill in the blank) if
she would only take the time and apply herself". Well, as a
little girl, I thought I was taking the time, and it sure felt
like I was applying myself. It explained a lot the more I
researched the disorder. I learned that while yes, the symptoms
would lessen, I would never outgrow it completely. I took Ritalin
for several months and after researching the prescription more
intensely, I decided it was not something for me. Am I against it
completely? Nope, I decided that while yes, I may still always
exhibit symptoms, I was used to it and well....it was just me. I
had learned by that point how to compensate for the symptoms and
how to "apply"; myself in ways that worked for me. Not
everyone understands why I do things the way I do, most other ADDers do though. If you think you or child may have ADD or
ADHD...the best advice I can give is to talk to your DR, research
the subject yourself, possibly find a C.H.A.D.D. group (links
available below) and listen to what they have to say. For me, its
not a bad thing being ADD, I have actually come to love some of
the perks that come from it. I am spontaneous, creative,
imaginative and well, I can multitask really well!
Check out
these links to learn more about ADD/ADHD
These sites are simply
ones that I have found in my research.....
