to think that ADHD/ADD is a load of nonsense?

[Breton1900]

Are we really producing ever more kids with these conditions or do parents simply need to take back control and realise that, at times, all kids can be obnoxious, loud, defiant, restless and fidgety and that strictly enforced rules for behaviour, lots of TLC, and the occasional smack on the bum may be the way forward?

Yes me too, can't decide if they are just wind- up merchants or completely insensitive twunts who like an argument...or both..or so they have a huge superiority complex and think MN needs to benefit from their wisdom (it doesn't).

Have been reading this with interest.
Would have to take issue with some posters who feel that it is extremely hard to get a diagnosis. That may be the case where they live,but I have been horrified by the diagnoses that have been given in my area.

It would appear that in my area, it is much easier all round to assign a diagnosis to a child and medicate straight away, than to look at what other factors may be causing the child's symptoms.

Social deprivation, domestic violence, unintentional neglect, maternal mental health problems, inconsistent care giving etc are all contributory factors to child anxiety and distress. In some pre disposed children especially boys, this anxiety manifests itself as the kind of hyperactivity and inattentiveness described in ADHD.

This is clearly not the case in ALL children who have the diagnosis ( especially ones who have brain damage or concurrent ASD) however, I am very concerned at the number of children who are being medicated and where no one is looking at other issues that may be causing the symptoms.

Unfortunately resources come into play. It is much easier to prescribe a few pills than to offer family therapy or child psychotherapy.

I speak as a consultant psychiatrist working in an area of huge socio economic deprivation and with a very very poorly resourced CAMHS team .

As a final point, do not underestimate the malign influence of big pharma in this condition

FanjoForTheMammaries - thank you.

tiredlady I wouldn't be so arrogant as to argue against your experiences as a Consultany Psychiatrist. I would like to make it clear that despite my DD's very severe attention issues, medication (other than her epilepsy meds and melatonin to give us and her some sleep) has never been suggested as a solution to her difficulties.

Lougle - I wasn't suggesting that everyone's CAMHS departments were as backwards as they are in my area.

I have been utterly horrified that children who have experienced unbelievable trauma in their lives and are now behaviourally "out of control" are being offered NOTHING other than meds.

It is scandalous

Lougle most of the things you describe her doing would be normal for a 4 yo

I'm staggered by the dishing out of pills as well. DS1 has severe ASD, severe anxiety, very compulsive, limited sleep and SIB. The only medication we've ever been given is melatonin (and one bottle lasts us over a year as I use it to get back into a routine when he's down to 2 or 3 hours sleep a night).

I have sometimes wondered whether I am failing him by not asking about meds. I'm certainly not fighting off paediatricians with their prescription pads.

yes, katiestar, all 4 year olds only have a 30 second attention span.

But when you are a parent at the very end of a very tattered tether with a child who does not sleep, who is awake from the early hours of the morning every day, and on the go, cant sit still, noise, mess, destruction and over active challenging behaviour you are practically begging for a reason for it, examining every aspect of your parenting, personality and your childs diet, sleep habits, lifestyle.
Its a relief for some one to say, actually this isnt quite normal, and here is what we can do to help you....you are gonna snatch their hand off for just a moments releif from the anxiety and guilt of it.

Thats posisbly why, people seek help nowadays and dont struggle on.

AFAIK Lougle is talking about her child having such a short attention span that she cannot do any sustained activity with her at all, much like my DD, which is about as far from normal as you can get, and extremely exhausting.

My DD's attention span is so short I can barely interact with her at all on any level...not saying she has ADHD, she does have neurological issues, but it is NOT normal, you have no idea.

Anyway am off to bed, not wasting energy yet again on a load of parents of NT children who have no idea what things are like for us.

Not all but some.It certainly isn't uncommon amongst reception children to be very easily distracted,have selective deafness and a very short attention span.She might well turn out to be ADHD but I just think at 4 many of the things you describe are very common.

there's "very easily distracted" and then there's charging around the room knocking everything over and grabbing everything constantly though, and having to be physically controlled all the time as one is so agitated, isn't there.

Really..am off to bed now.

I feel bound to comment on many of the responses to this thread.

I am surprised by the apparent complacency with regard to medication and ADHD.

There appears to be remarkably little concern from those who, presumably have children in receipt of Ritalin and other psychotropic drugs, that their children may be receiving unnecessary treatment and that this could be be storing up serious problems for their children in later life.

Breton I for one don't give a monkeys what you think. Parents whoose children have additional needs have a hard enough time as it is without having to listen to the crap that you spout.

I think the majority have posted to say their children aren't on psychotropic drugs.

Katiestar do you have a child with ADHD?

tiredlady wrote "As a final point, do not underestimate the malign influence of big pharma in this condition"

Thank you. This was a point I made earlier in the thread.

When you have a child with one of the conditions you were wondering about, you will find that you change your mind pretty damn quick. As Riven has also pointed out you will also find that doctors are incredibly cautious about prescribing medications for these children. We struggled to almost breaking point before anyone happened to mention any medications that might help my ds (autism with possible ADHD). I have also found the diagnostic process to be very lengthy. Unfortunately and rather depressingly I think your views are probably rather widepread and are probably responsible for some of the attitudes that many parents are struggling with everyday.

Yawn............O its Breton spouting crap again....

OP, am not sure what you are hoping to gain from this

you are coming across as somewhat on the unempathic side to put it mildly

'A 2003 article in Science summarised comments from various researchers yet the researchers admitted to being unable to identify the specific genes or environmental factors involved. '

well yeah that'll be why they're doing the research innit

to find out

not every disease or disorder has had every underlying genetic factor identified, but they still exist.
to identify the genes involved in genetic disorders you need large affected families to study, preferably consanguineous. It is way harder when multiple genes are involved, not to mention environmental factors.
but I suppose if a child has polydactyly or a cleft palate you can't actually deny the existence of the condition. As you seem to be doing here when perhaps less tangible factors are involved.

'I am extremely worried about the sheer number of diagnoses being made for these conditions, which, in point of fact, cannot be proven to exist, except in the minds of various psychologists (and of course the pharmaceutical industry)!'
Where exactly do you get your information from! It can be proven and is not in the minds of people who have been working with children with these conditions for many years.
Have you any experience of a child with ADHD? I think not!

I'll smack my kid with ADHD if I can smack you first.

YABVU.

When you actually have a child with such a condition you will find you change your mind pretty damn quick. As Riven has pointed out, doctors are incredibly cautious about medications. We struggled for years with our ds (autism with possible ADHD) and had to get to breaking point before any medication was even mentionned. Unfortunately and rather depressingly your attitude, Breton, is probably quite common and is probably one of the reason why many parents of children with special needs feel unsupported and stressed out when trying to deal with their children's difficulties.

I think the OP must have been bored sh**less, and thought 'hey i know i will post something totally idiotic and pathetic on MN just to pass a few hours!!!'

Honestly Breton you ARE an idiot!