How many of you have been diagnosed with ADHD

It's an occasional verbal tic (like a hiccup almost), and then I have several head/neck/shoulder movements. I mean it's basically the same movement over and over and over and over again. Hard to describe over the interwebs. It doesn't happen all the time, but when it does I can't stop it (until it just stops). I don't do any cursing or yelling or anything like that.

My older brother has pretty much the exact same thing. I've read that OCD, ADHD, and Tourette's are all genetically linked. Something to do with dopamine receptors, I don't know "It's Science".

Kind of interesting because everyone in my family pretty much has one of the three.

While I understand that ADHD is a way over diagnosed condition, it certainly isn't a non-existent condition. I'm very sorry that you had the problems you did with the drug, and its incredibly unfortunate that you had to go through all that. With that being said, there is a popular trend in society to say that ADHD and the medication for it is complete total bullshit.

It's correct that adderall is in the same drug catagory as speed. They are both stimulants, and both can exhibit many of the same side effects. But people who genuinely have ADHD have different brains, and stimulants can chemically alter their brains to wire more normally. It stimulates

There is some crazy weird brain chemistry going on, and for some people (including me) the good medication brings way outweighs the bad. I hate the feeling of the side effects, but I also love being able to not leave the oven on every time I cook my food. I also really enjoy being able to do school work, and not have to re-read the same page four times because I keep zoning out.

I understand that there is major problem with over diagnosing ADHD, but also understand that there are people who genuinely do have it, and lead better more successful lives because of the option of medication.

See

"The brain of someone who does not have the disorder operates at a baseline of stimulation, so psychostimulants would put them in a state of overstimulation, resulting in the rush drug abusers seek. But when an ADHD patient is given a stimulant, he or she drops dramatically to a state of understimulation for a few minutes, then gradually reaches a baseline of normal stimulation that allows him or her to concentrate."

-http://www.ocweekly.com/2008-08-28/news/this-is-your-brain-on-adderall/

I totally appreciate that. I'm glad the meds have helped you. That said, I would still NEVER put my kids on it. There's an unfortunate flip side to taking medication like that, even if it's working the way it's supposed to for you. It's a double edged sword really. The physical affects it may have on your body could be really bad, but it's still helping you in a big way as well.

I guess the issue is just as much about an accurate diagnosis as it is the treatment prescribed. I was obviously misdiagnosed, and then given the wrong treatment as a result.

Yep been diagnosed with ADHD. Was on Riddilin till 6th grade and I was diagnosed at 5.

It's an occasional verbal tic (like a hiccup almost), and then I have several head/neck/shoulder movements. I mean it's basically the same movement over and over and over and over again. Hard to describe over the interwebs. It doesn't happen all the time, but when it does I can't stop it (until it just stops). I don't do any cursing or yelling or anything like that.
..........kinda like Stevie Wonder?
I know.......it was tasteless, but...........well intentioned
BTW, glad to hear the other proved to be nothing SS

Interesting stories here. Thanks to those who have shared some powerful personal stories...

As medical conditions become better understood and defined--this can lead to the perception that the condition is being "overdiagnosed". I don't entirely feel that docs are at fault when they follow currently understood diagnostic criteria. I think the issue here is how a doc manages the diagnosis. And this is where it gets muddy as conservative management of diseases is unfortunately not the norm. The medical industry is pro prescription of meds--since this is tied into reimbursement and paradoxically a protection from litigation. For that matter, patients are also (unfortunately) mostly pro prescription of meds--instead of managing their conditions in other ways.

I am a parent of child whom I believe has ADHD. I have no plans to have her take meds since I think she can function fine without them with conservative management. However, I do think there are many cases where prescribed medications are needed and justified.

And full disclosure--I am a physician and have also worked in the pharma industry...

Interesting stories here. Thanks to those who have shared some powerful personal stories...

As medical conditions become better understood and defined--this can lead to the perception that the condition is being "overdiagnosed". I don't entirely feel that docs are at fault when they follow currently understood diagnostic criteria. I think the issue here is how a doc manages the diagnosis. And this is where it gets muddy as conservative management of diseases is unfortunately not the norm. The medical industry is pro prescription of meds--since this is tied into reimbursement and paradoxically a protection from litigation. For that matter, patients are also (unfortunately) mostly pro prescription of meds--instead of managing their conditions in other ways.

I am a parent of child whom I believe has ADHD. I have no plans to have her take meds since I think she can function fine without them with conservative management. However, I do think there are many cases where prescribed medications are needed and justified.

And full disclosure--I am a physician and have also worked in the pharma industry...
I can pretty much agree with this. People want to think of doc's as benevolent creatures and not business people. Saintly, rather than capitalist. Doc's go for the med cabinet and the CAT scan to fast for my taste. My son was diagnosed ADHD 11 years ago at age 6 (although undiagnosed, he gets it from me). The outlook, a lifetime of Riddlin was....... urged. I thought, feed my child this? THAT ain't gonna happen........SO through some trial and error, we found refined Cane sugar was a major trigger. At least for him, exercise, and sugar control made the difference. He plays varsity sports in HS and does well in school. It may be that meds are a possible answer, but NOT the only answer, and quite probably NOT the best answer. Question things...........often

I totally appreciate that. I'm glad the meds have helped you. That said, I would still NEVER put my kids on it. There's an unfortunate flip side to taking medication like that, even if it's working the way it's supposed to for you. It's a double edged sword really. The physical affects it may have on your body could be really bad, but it's still helping you in a big way as well.

I guess the issue is just as much about an accurate diagnosis as it is the treatment prescribed. I was obviously misdiagnosed, and then given the wrong treatment as a result.

The issue with this misdiagnosis is that is also happens with more serious conditions that require antidepressants, etc.

What I have learned through other peoples experiences and my own is that we should always try alternatives before we pop meds. In our society is so acceptable to do that, but there are other alternatives that do work a lot of the time.

Obviously alternative medicines, acupuncture, meditation, athletics, etc don't always work AND they require a lot of patience. IMO, however, that is always worth the wait rather than risk dangerous side effects.

I can pretty much agree with this. People want to think of doc's as benevolent creatures and not business people. Saintly, rather than capitalist. Doc's go for the med cabinet and the CAT scan to fast for my taste. My son was diagnosed ADHD 11 years ago at age 6 (although undiagnosed, he gets it from me). The outlook, a lifetime of Riddlin was....... urged. I thought, feed my child this? THAT ain't gonna happen........SO through some trial and error, we found refined Cane sugar was a major trigger. At least for him, exercise, and sugar control made the difference. He plays varsity sports in HS and does well in school. It may be that meds are a possible answer, but NOT the only answer, and quite probably NOT the best answer. Question things...........often

your experience sounds similar to mine. I am glad you did not subject your son to meds right away.

I can pretty much agree with this. People want to think of doc's as benevolent creatures and not business people. Saintly, rather than capitalist. Doc's go for the med cabinet and the CAT scan to fast for my taste. My son was diagnosed ADHD 11 years ago at age 6 (although undiagnosed, he gets it from me). The outlook, a lifetime of Riddlin was....... urged. I thought, feed my child this? THAT ain't gonna happen........SO through some trial and error, we found refined Cane sugar was a major trigger. At least for him, exercise, and sugar control made the difference. He plays varsity sports in HS and does well in school. It may be that meds are a possible answer, but NOT the only answer, and quite probably NOT the best answer. Question things...........often

My nephew was diagnosed with ADHD and quickly put on Riddlin. You could tell that he "calmed down" but we sort of felt something still wasn't quite right. One day we were talking around the dinner table and my nephew comes in and tells his mom (my sister) that his stomach hurts. She says something like, "Again?!" We ask her "What do you mean 'again'?. She says that his stomach is always upset/hurting. My wife recommends a consultation with an allergist. It turns out out the nephew is allergic to corn, wheat and a couple of other things. Once his diet was altered his behavior, both academically and socially, changed.

The issue with this misdiagnosis is that is also happens with more serious conditions that require antidepressants, etc.

What I have learned through other peoples experiences and my own is that we should always try alternatives before we pop meds. In our society is so acceptable to do that, but there are other alternatives that do work a lot of the time.

Obviously alternative medicines, acupuncture, meditation, athletics, etc don't always work AND they require a lot of patience. IMO, however, that is always worth the wait rather than risk dangerous side effects.

No doubt. I read an article about a few weeks ago saying that 27 MILLION Americans are on anti-depressants (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/04/health/research/04brfs-ANTIDEPRESSA_BRF.html?_r=2&bl&ex=1249531200&en=2a160f35a6e56605&ei=5087%0A). 27 million!! No way in hell almost 10% of the population is depressed enough to be medicated. Then I stumbled upon this article (a good example of mis-daignosis):

How Many of the 27 Million Americans on Antidepressants Actually Have Undiagnosed Thyroid Disease? (http://thyroid.about.com/b/2009/08/04/how-many-of-the-27-million-americans-on-antidepressants-actually-have-undiagnosed-thyroid-disease.htm)