[colin99]

Why are people medicated for ADHD? All people are born differently. I thought that we should embrace everyone for who they are. The psychiatric term “disorder” seems wrong on so many levels. It leaves me left feeling that there’s something inherently wrong with me, where as before I thought what’s considered wrong was actually just considered as being different, and something that you should actually be proud of. If society were as inclusive as it likes to make itself out then “disorders” wouldn’t exist. How am I supposed to be proud of myself, if I’m seen amongst others, including the entire scientific community, as some sort of degeneration? How can I trust myself with anything? How could I feel anymore alienated? How can I just blow off an entire scientific community, and tell myself, that I’m perfect the way I am. Why is there a “right and wrong” with concerns to how people are born? I’m left with the thought, “Since people with ‘ADHD’ are often annoying to people, drugs are viable an option for them.” And that seems wrong, but it also seems like you can’t expect people to readily be unbothered with someone who’s constantly bouncing off the walls. It’s almost a stalemate. People will also say that the medication is just there to help ‘ADHD’ people focus, but if we are being honest, we can claim that these psychoactive drugs also take away the real you. ‘ADHD’ should be embraced and worked with. Fitting paths should be explored for these people, because far too many times they are left funneled into this “accepted standard” with drugs, guilt, and therapy, and it’s not right. Clinical perspectives are inappropriate, since essentially they pathologies and then out-group the person; they use ‘normalizing’ therapies to enforce conformity and, in so doing, increase the risk of the patients well being. It’s no wonder why ‘ADHD’ is associated with higher risks of depression and anxiety. And, it also explains why I appear as closed off. Why would I want to express my real self, which is of course entwined with ‘ADHD? I suggest that there should be a radical shaking of the system…individuals being respected for who they are and what they can do without emphasis on the clinical obsession of ‘normal’. There needs to be a shifting of values to take into account the ‘ADHD’ individual’s right to be himself or herself. The problem is that whilst ever it’s a system run by the so-called ‘normal’ individual (and for that sort of individual) – that change will never come.

Medication is an option that people have. Some people are willing to take it, some rather not. It goes right along with the therapies; some people are willing to try and others not.

That is why some people are medicated and others are not. There also comes a point to where the persons doctor becomes involved with helping to explain the different options out there. In the end though everybody has their own choice on what is right for them. We are solely responsible for ourselves and what we decide to take or not.

[sonnynotsunny]

I wish it was that simple, everyone is born differently, we should accept ourselves and live happily, but it’s not like that, life can be hard if you have ADHD, just finishing simple tasks, or focusing on your studies, can be complicated and difficult to do. Although my parent refused to medicate for ADHD when I was at school, and I agreed with them back then, but lately I have been thinking about it, like blwi said it’s up to you to choose.

[birdpumpkin]

My son was diagnosed with ADHD last summer and after a rough year have just started treatment. Will be getting his prescription for his first medication tomorrow. However, this isn't something I'm happy about. In fact, I'm very apprehensive and worried. My husband isn't supportive of it, but I'm thinking that's because of money issues. My parents are 100% for it and don't understand my concerns. They seem to think I'm a bad parent for not wanting him on the medicine if it will help with his learning. He's also got Asperger's and some mental retardation, too, though, that I think all come into play with his learning. The doctor is focusing on the ADHD, though, and claiming this will help him do better, and this is what we want in regards to him living as normal a life as possible and thriving in society. I feel the same as you, though. I like my son the way he is. He makes up songs and runs around in the yard and just seems like an ornery boy to me. 5 years ago we tried a medicine for ADHD that settled him down so much he pretty much just sat on the couch and colored, hardly spoke. He wasn't my son, so to speak, and I was so uncomfortable with it I took him off after only 2 days. Here we are again about to do the same thing but with a different medicine, and I'm scared the same thing is going to happen. The doctor said to call him if he becomes that way again or if there are side effects I don't like so something can be worked out with the same medicine or a different one. I'm still afraid it will take the son I know and love away, though. I'm mainly just doing this to appease my parents, but I want to do what is right for him and just don't know which way to go. I don't want to lose the wonderful individual he is who makes me laugh and smile inside for something this medication could turn him into. That's not the natural him - "the real you" as you said. I'm really having a hard time with this. We're filling his prescription tomorrow and will begin Saturday morning, and I'm already starting to feel like tomorrow is the last day with my actual son and feeling so upset about it I've already cried once and am feeling really down about it. I'm having a really hard time with this.

[ZehR]

Yes. It is. Especially for severe ADHD which I have.i can't even read without Ritalin sorry but it's a disorder when it comes to certain things.

[ADDoffthewall]

Yes most certainly just as severe as other forms of psychopathology. This condition affects all the major domains of individual functioning (social, occupational, and academic). Most people with ADHD feel as though they are driven by a motor and cannot control themselves. Sitting in a classroom or engaging in cognitively demanding tasks are especially daunting. Accomplishing goals becomes difficult if not impossible for the true ADHDer. Establishing relationships or friendships is difficult because either the people get turned off by their behavior or the person gets bored of them.

On top of that many with ADHD are at risk of dropping out of school, engaging in risky behavior, and substance abuse. There's also a great deal of conflicts with the law as well. Those who start working have problems balancing tasks and sticking to deadlines. Time management is a foreign concept to people like us. Essentially, we are hunters in a farmer's world, both traits are not compatible with each other. Some with ADHD are exceptionally brilliant but cannot materialize their ideas.

Also ADHD, contrary to popular opinion is not a personality trait but a neurological issue. It's caused by an imbalance of dopamine in the brain regions involved with attention, self-regulation, and motivation. The cause is largely attributed to genetics and the heritability is akin to physical traits like height and blood type. Meaning if one parent has it, it is extremely likely that at least one if not all of their offspring will inherit it. Many people don't want to marry and settle down with one who has ADD/ADHD because they don't want their children to inherit it so people with ADHD often end up reproducing with mates that have other maladaptive traits or come from low socioeconomic backgrounds so that in conjunction with an invalidating environment is recipe for severe impairment throughout life. Some however, are capable of hiding the traits or coping with it and are often unaware that they are affected by it but learn they have it when they have children.

In the past, it was believed that the world was ADHD friendly and those with the traits had an advantage in the sense that they could function in high octane environments and quickly shift their attention towards resources vital for survival. Many with the condition were thought to be nomadic which explains why people with ADHD tend to seek out novel environments.The impulsive behavior was thought to be attractive to potential mates in the sense that it suggested confidence and strength. But times quickly changed as people became farmers and focused their attention on important tasks. Only 5% of the world population has the condition. It is important to develop coping mechanisms to compensate for what we lack and utilize resources in the environment to capitalize on our strengths.

[yellowfrog268]

every society has a definition of what is 'normal' and when members don't fit, so to speak, actions are taken to help the individual conform. It's not just westernized cultures that do this.

I agree that no one should be made to feel as if there is something 'wrong' with them. It is hurtful beyond words but conformity is one of the ways that societies function.

[Lauliza]

It's absolutely a disorder. I was diagnosed as an adult and wish I was as a kid, but it wasn't done much in the 80's. I take adderall and it has been a life saver for me.

I will agree here that maybe not everyone needs it. I don't think everyone needs to fit the same notion as "normal" and there should be acceptance for people who simply do things differently. But I also don't think we should use the term acceptance and diversity to excuse away deficits that keep people from living to their full potential. Everyone has challenges, some bigger than others. Some people need more help than others or just different types of help. I think how you feel about yourself, your relationships and your life is a big indicator as to whether it's a disorder or not. I have a good friend also with ADHD, but she is hyperactive, where I am the "inattentive type". She had trouble focusing in school like me, but her lack of focus was very different. I was a daydreamer, quiet and shy. Not very motivated. When I was active, I got more focused. But getting the motivation to be active was very hard. My friend on the other hand was always moving. She couldn't stop and was disruptive and chatty. But her hyperactivity helped her keep motivated to move. In fact she became a runner and that changed everything. She said it gave her motivation and discipline she just never would have found without it. Over the years she developed her own ways of keeping herself organized and focused. She actually finished her masters with honors and I was amazed since in high school and college academics were not her thing. But, for her it was the social distractions and hyper nature that needed to be controlled, and athletics were key in that. So I guess in her case, running is pretty much her medication (I'm not talking about a jog but serious, 5 miles a day a few days a week running). She is still more energetic and hyper than most people I've met, but is very high functioning. Therapy probably would have been very useful along with the running but at that time it wasn't as common as it is now. So for everyone it's different

But for underactive, under attentive people, I think the meds might be a bit more necessary. Not always, but I think the low motivation aspect makes it that much harder to accomplish anything. It's also easier to go unnoticed, so there's not much encouragement to get help or recognition of the need.

[Miswimmy1]

I know this is an older thread but I wanted to offer my perspective. I have seen the stigmatism that comes with mental disorders. Anything different or not understood is generally thought of as "wrong" or "weird". I am not trying to be blindly optimistic but I think that the people who use such phrases are often either under/mis-informed.

In response to it being a true disorder, ADHD very much is a disorder in my opinion. While I prefer to think of it as a "difference", it can greatly impair one's ability to function. As for medication, my experience with ADHD medication has lead me to believe that it helps me show the positive qualities that I would like people to see. It doesn't take away anything. I'm still me- just a toned down version.

[krisakira]

I didn't read past the first few lines. About people with ADHD being "different" and embracing it? Yeah. Well, being different means being unable to concentrate in school and not take good notes. That's not embraced. That's given bad grades. I HAVE to take my meds otherwise I do bad in school and at home. I get nothing done. ADHD isn't just "Oh they're different" its a disorder because it DISRUPTS normal functioning at home, school, vocationally, or socially. It disrupts what I want to do in life. Therefore, I take meds to ease the symptoms, so I can actually accomplish what I want to accomplish.

[onelittledove]

Amazing, isn't it, that the question, "Is this a real disorder?" is asked or thought by so many who do not have to live with it. I have lived with ADHD all my life, but not diagnosed and treated until age 56. What a tangled mess of debris left from which to climb out. Feel so bad for children whose parents refuse to or only periodically allow their children to be medicated. Now 63, I shutter to imagine how I would be functioning now without medication. But the saddest thing to have dealt with has been the cruel comments & lack of support & understanding from family, friends & many professionals who think your using it as an excuse and there's no such thing. If they only knew.