Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is Real

I am so sick and tired of the meme that keeps showing up on facebook stating something along the following:

"We didn't have ADHD in my day.  We had the strap."

or

"Back in my day it was called daydreaming not ADHD"

or

"There is no such thing as ADHD, we ALL have ADHD moments"

Firstly they may not know what exactly is the cause of ADHD, but all the books I have read all agree on several key things.  ADHD is genetic and it's a neurological disorder.

ADHD is very real.

Is it being over diagnosed?

Possibly, but my research and reading say otherwise.  I am more inclined to say that stimulants are over prescribed, but the ADHD is very real.

Can it sometimes be misdiagnosed?

Sure, but anything can be misdiagnosed.

The key is to educate yourself and be vigilant on following up on questions, concerns and changes in behaviour both good and bad.

Just as Autism diagnoses have grown so have ADHD diagnoses.
Why?
Because we know what to look for.

Autism has seen a huge increase solely because they never considered anyone who was verbal capable of having it originally.  They thought you had to be nonverbal to be diagnosed Autistic. That changed over the past two or so decades

ADHD symptoms can be mimicked by things like an iron deficiency, sensitivities to gluten/dairy/sugar, lack of sleep to name a couple, but NONE of them are the cause.

Also medication does NOT cure ADHD, it can help a person learn to cope and focus better.
It never goes away, this is something a person has to learn to cope and live with for the rest of their life the same as someone who is Diabetic.
We don't tell people with Diabetes to "just suck it up, sorry that you're going to die because your body doesn't produce insulin."

I have severe Anxiety.  I can't will it away.  I take medication to help, but it doesn't magically make it disappear.  I still have bad days.  The same holds true to any mental or neurological disorder.

I have had to learn coping strategies the same way my son will have to learn (and is currently learning) coping strategies for his ADHD.

Why does my son get to be judged and belittled just because others think it's funny to spread misinformation around?

And you would think people who have children with special needs would understand instead of sharing these posts as well.
Yet of the couple hundred people I have friended on Facebook, a handful of them, who have children with special needs or even some form of mental illness themselves, have shared one or more of the above memes.

What makes you or your child(ren) better then me or my child?  Is their/your condition some how more special or better or more REAL??

You would be just as pissed as I am if I had posted such things saying derogatory things or spreading misinformation about your child's special needs or your own issues.


Just because you read it on the Internet, doesn't make it true.

If you wish to educate yourself here are books and sites you can go to to LEARN:

http://www.caddac.ca/

http://www.mentalhealthcanada.com/ConditionsandDisordersDetail.asp?lang=e&category=60

http://www.cmha.bc.ca/get-informed/mental-health-information/adult-adhd

http://www.chaddcanada.com/research.php

http://www.adhdmarriage.com/ **

http://www.additudemag.com/

Taking Charge of ADHD by Dr. Russell A Barkley
http://www.amazon.ca/dp/1462507891

Driven to Distraction by Edward M. Hallowell**
http://www.amazon.ca/dp/0307743152

The ADHD Effect on Marriage by Melissa Orlov**
http://www.amazon.ca/dp/1886941971

1000 Best Tips for ADHD by Susan Ashley
http://www.amazon.ca/dp/1402271395

The Explosive Child by Dr. Ross Green
http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00GLS4XT4




**Yes some of the books and links are for Adults, ADHD and marriage/relationships.  Unfortunately ADHD coupled with mental illness ended my marriage.
My ex and I are great friends now, but we both recognize that his ADHD did factor into the ending of the marriage and I reiterate it was not the only factor.