Do they have truly have disorders or are they just brats?

Question

http://spotlight.encarta.msn.com/Features/encnet_Departments_Elementary_default_article_KickedOutPreschool.html?GT1=27001

I have thought about this for a long time but never got around to asking on Y/A until now. I also spotted a similar question to the one I'm asking

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ApyvLr1AnD5T3NN1IdA62wtIzKIX;_ylv=3?qid=20070731152738AAsYrwO

But I wanted more opinions, my question is of many children diagnosed with disorders, behavioral or otherwise (such as ADD/ADHD, OCD etc.) how many do you think (percentage) are misdiagnosed, OR are simply just brats?

Another reason I ask is because I remember when I was younger (about six) my best friends brother (about 8 or 9) was diagnosed ADD/ADHD, they put him on meds for about four years, then took him off and he blew up like a balloon but was the sweetest boy, do I think the meds "fixed" him, no because there was nothing wrong with him to begin with other then he was a little boy.

Also my fiancé (his parents are idiots to begin with but that’s another story), was “diagnosed” as a child (after he was molested by a family member) as being OCD, bipolar, ADD/ADHD, and having borderline personality disorder, so they doped him up on drugs and he is now labeled for life, he has been off meds for over three years and is fine, if he really had all those disorders, he would have committed suicide or done something equally horrible.

I’m not saying these disorders don’t exist or that they aren’t present in SOME children, but I think there is (unfournatly) a vast majority that don’t have this disorders, but are being doped up by their parents or/and “professionals” looking to make money.

Answer 1

I think they are mislabelled brats. My SIL has been trying to decide if her 2 year old is ADHD and has been letting him get away with everything. He's a holy terror and is tormenting his 5 year old brother. As much as I love her, that kid needs his butt worn out. Consistant, firm discipline would "fix" alot of these kids that parents think to be ADD or ADHD. You can find all sorts of imaginary illnesses if you start trying to. There are legitimate cases of children who are ADD/ADHD, but I think too many parents are using it as an excuse to let their normal bratty kids be brats.

Answer 2

I do think ADD/ADHD is over diagnosed. A child misbehaves, instead of disciplining/punishing/generally being a parent, they would rather have their child diagnosed with that.

This is not saying that ADD/ADHD doesn't exactly exist. It probably does, but it seems every child who misbehaves and gets tested for it, they "have it". What happened to not giving your child medication, just being  a parent and disciplining them?

Edit: Dyslexia doesn't mean a child is stupid. Referring to the answer above me.

Answer 3

I agree. There are cases where I truly see children with disorders who need the medication to get through their daily lives and routines; however, I believe that a vast majority are misdiagnosed.

I think parents get frustrated with their children and automatically assume they have a behavioral disorder. So, the easy way out.... put them on meds and when people comment on their child's behavior, there's always the excuse, "Well, little Johnny has ADHD."

Answer 4

*Some* have these disorders but there is much overdiagnosis and misdiagnosis.

I am still of the opinion that many children who are diagnosed and then put onto a lifetime of drug "therapy" would benefit a lot more from a timely smacked bottom before the "disorder" takes hold.

In my day there was no such overdiagnosis and I would not have allowed my boys to be doped up on drugs when I knew perfectly well how to deal with any (*normal*) misbehaviour problems myself.

Answer 5

Because first of all ADHD is a true disorder and not brattiness. It isnt normal activeness and has a lot of triggers and other behavioral problems associated.I have a son who is ADHD oDD and OCD. He was diagnosed after extensive testing by a child nuerological behavioral specialist at the Minnesota Mayo clinic in Rochester. The answer to your question is quite simple. Everyday pediatricians diagnose children based on parents answering questions about their childrens behavior. Most of these children do not ADHD. A simple change in diet sleep or enviroment "solve" the issue for these children. Many children who suffer from bipolar are misdiagnosed due to unqualified doctors not realising bipolar has the same symptoms in many children. A large number of professionals are unwilling to diagnose bipolar before puberty so they mislabel kids as ADHD. Children with Sensory disorders are often mislabeled as well because they act out. Even children with dislexia and OCD have been misdiagnosed as ADHD. ADHD has become the catch all disorder for any child who parents or teachers have a hard time understanding or dealing with. They are labeled for any reason from bad behavior or initentiveness. Most of these children simply lack consistent parenting or engaging leessons that interest them. But in main stream society its far easier to label a child and drug them than to recognize what the true issue is. Add the parents who have to think of something that is wrong with their child because they think their parenting skills are above reproach. Or those who simply want to feel their child is "special" (its insane but some would rather have the "special child than admit that their child isnt perfect and is simply normal). Many of the children who are diagnosed I feel should have had further testing. While none of the tests are 100% accurate a simple questionare is in no way reliable to form a diagnosis. 10 years ago we saw infants with colic being diagnosed with reflux problems and being put on Zantac and sysapride without any GI testing. Now its children being placed on meds for behavior or energy problems with little to no testing. Its far easier to label a child than change parenting tactics or admit your not the best parent in the world. Amd the medical profession makes money off misdiagnosing these children.

Answer 6

At times the child does have legitimate disorder but I find 90% of the time that it's the parents lack of parenting that is the real "disorder".  ADHD, ADD, Autism, dyslexia and countless other disorders are real and real for many kids.  Medication can be a God-send for these kids and I believe the a lot of them (not all) should work to one day being off medication by using behavior modification therapy to learn to control it.  I do know that with some forms of autism  and other disorders that is not always possible.  

However I think too many parents look to an excuse for their child's behavior and are willing to point the finger anywhere but at themselves.

Answer 7

Sometimes it's the parents who have a disorder.  They don't consistently make their children mind.  It's easier to give them meds to mellow them into submission.

Answer 8

They did a brain scan on people who have been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD and someone who doesn't have it and the brain had different functions.

The energy part of the brain functions more and the part of the brain the controls concentration doesn't work without

medicine.

So yes ADD/ADHD is real.

You can tell the difference between if a kid is just bad or has ADHD. ADHD is more common then you think.

Answer 9

I would not say that our physicians and health care workers are drugging these kids up. The kids are evaluated and treated as necessary. I know there may be some that are misdiagnosed but I don't think they do it on purpose to make money. Autism is increasing in children right now and it is hard to pin point a diagnoses sometimes so think about the complexity of the issue here.

I think these kids are put on meds becuase it is supposed to help. No where in the description of the meds will you read that this kid takes this because "we want to make money."

My brother was put on meds for ADHD and when he was tested a few months later for behaviour analysis he was taken off after 12 months because his behaviour improved and he stayed off them until he started having more problems in high school. The doctors do look for signs that the child may need medication. Who are we to stereotype them; doping our children is not really going to put faith in any parent looking for medical assistance and every medical professional would know that. There is trust in this country...

Answer 10

You obviously have very little understanding of what you are talking about. These disorders are not all about behavior at all. To assume so is ridiculous.

I couldn't even get past your question to give you an answer. Brats?

EDIT** The dyslexia comment just goes to show how ignorant people really are. My daughter is a gifted dyslexic with an IQ in the superior range. She also has OCD which is not treated with medication. (She is obsessively neat and orderly)Stupid and dyslexic NEVER belong in the same sentence! 99.99999999 percent of dyslexic people are of average to above average in intelligence, with many of those being gifted or superior in intelligence.

Answer 11

Without a doubt, there are many people who get diagnosed and medicated for disorders that they do not have. Children and adults alike.

If you want a guess at a percentage for kids, I would say 10% who are diagnosed are just poorly behaving children, with parents who should have never had children in the first place.

The schools have a load to carry in this, as well. The schools put pressure on the teachers (no child left behind, really just leaves whole schools behind, but I won't get into that) ANYWAY- the schools are under pressure, they put the teachers under pressure, and the teachers put pressure on the parents to medicate the kids that they aren't able to handle.

There is also a flip side to this, and many kids are treated as being brats, when they have a disorder that needs to be treated.

Answer 12

First of all, you're right that the disorders do exist.  MRI imaging has also been used to detect ADD/ADHD, proving that it is real.  To wit:

http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/conte...

That said, I also agree that many children are falsely diagnosed.  A child may misbehave not because of a behavior disorder such as ADHD, but because his parents don't practice consistent discipline.  So while ADD/ADHD and other behavior disorders are very real and medication may be helpful for some, specialists need to closely examine the child's home environment before handing out a diagnosis and a bottle of pills.

*ETA* christinedaae, stupid children?  Are you serious?  The majority of children with true ADD/Dyslexia are very bright and even gifted.  Do your research before making foolish statements.  You're clearly not the sharpest tool in the shed, honey!

Answer 13

I agree that some children have actual problems due to their body's chemistry and that there is an actual increase in this situation in recent years (as there are increases in every other disease/disorder due to our American diets, lack of exercise and economic conditions).  These children are the ones who have symptoms aside from behavior alone.

I agree though that the majority do NOT have disorders and that most of these things are purely psychological and NOT physical or physiological.  My brother was 'diagnosed' with ADD,etc as a child and they tried putting him on Ritalin and all sorts of things.  Guess what?  He was just a young child of divorce who was trying to cope with being raised by a single mother who had to work all the time.  His problem was truly 'solved' by spending the money on a guitar instead.  Ta-da!  Creative outlet. Most children need more mentoring - not medication.  You can't just FIX their 'problems' by medicating EVERY LITTLE THING.  I'm so anti-ADHD diagnostics.  As you mentioned your fiance himself was 'diagnosed' - do you not believe that it was his psychological way of handling trauma?

Hey - people shake their leg when they're nervous or anxious!  We can make money off of that - BAM, Restless Leg Syndrome - we'll solve your 'problem' with tranquilizing medication!  Hey - kids run around misbehaving and parents don't know what to do!  We can make money off of that - BAM, ADD and ADHD - we'll solve your 'problem' by giving your child a mild sedative to calm them or a mild 'speed'-like stimulant to keep them 'focused'!  Yeah, that's why ADD meds are being passed around SAT Prep classes - great 'focus' - so much 'focus' it's like you're on drugs - oh wait, but you are!

Rrrr.  I'm just sick of most of the 'majority' viewpoints these days.  I'm sick of parents not stepping up to raise their kids.  I'm sick of kids having to find answers to their questions on Yahoo or through friends.  I'm sick of parents not disciplining their kids or worse yet, thinking that putting their kid on one of those 'child restraint' leashes is better than teaching them that standing next to you in the grocery store is the appropriate and respectful thing to do.  I'm sick of regulations that force parents to vaccinate their children against everything including chicken pox and stomach viruses (that turn out to be void and ineffective a year after so many ended up arrested over vaccines, how dumb).  We wonder why our immune systems are decreasing and drug-resistant strains of viruses are outbreaking.  I'm sick of overmedicating our children and families and selves instead of living a healthy lifestyle surrounded by the love and support and community necessary to thrive as happy, well-adjusted human beings.

And I'm sick of our lazy obese apathetic society that lets all of those things happen and then sits back and blames the next guy.

Oh - and doctors and schools get 'kickbacks' for the ADD/ADHD prescriptions that they pass out so there you go... Everyone's out to make a buck these days.  Doctors need money (they make a lot but malpractice insurance has severely increased lately due to our sue-happy society) AND schools need money severely due to budget cuts.  It seems that somebody thought everyone would be happy with this arrangement - doctors make money to keep their offices open, schools are happy with more money, teachers are happy because kids are behaving and passing their classes, parents are happy because their kids become wonder-children, pharmaceutical companies are happy because they're making lots of money.

Answer 14

I think a lot of people come up with excuses like ADD or dyslexia for stupid children, and Oppositional Defiance Disorder or OCD for brats.  Yes, some do have disorders, but I think nowadays, people WANT things to be wrong with their children, because if their child has something small, like a mild case of ADD, the kid and their parents are like, "Oh, my child suffers a lot", and "She needs special care and attention", etc...

Answer 15

I think about 90 % are misdiagnosed. out of those 10 % only 20% need medication. ADHD is way over diagnosed.