Topic : 09/28 Overmedicating America: The Cruise Controversy

I'm going to write this down and this was my son and the description of his behavior before he was on meds for adhd. 

The child with the predominantly hyperactive and impulsive(my son very much so)type of adhd has a much greater chance of being identified early and recieving diagnoses and intervention, because the behaviors are often very disruptive and noticeable. These children get our attention! There has been much more research over the years about this type of adhd, consequently, we know more about the most effective treatments for hyperactive/impulsive children and teens.  

Then there are the ones who are harder to identify: 

A child/teen with the predominantly inattentive type of adhd(oradd without hyperactivity/impulsivity) does not easily get our attention. The behaviors are not disruptive, so they can be overlooked or misinterpreted/misdiagnosed. Yet having this disorder can be very problematic for the child, resulting in significant academic issues and underachievement. 

There now see how differently they are explained and how different they actually are. There are kids out there that are diagnosed wrong and maybe given meds for something else other than adhd and then there are the kids out there that are completely missed and are failing in there academic and other parts of life and they get called lazy and there not. 

I couldn't agree with you more! However, I don't think Dr.Phil could help Tom Cruise- he is hopelessly brainwashed by that "cult " he belongs to. I think it's pretty ironic that he says there is no such thing as a chemical imbalance and it looks like He has a chemical imbalance! 

Karen Reuter, RN 

The following is what they know about ADHD: 

1. Approximately 2 million children in the United States have been diagnosed with ADHD. (Dr. Phil even came up with a figure in that area.) 

2. It is estimated that approximately 3-5% of student population has ADHD. 

3. Many children with this disorder slip through the cracks. They have/had not been identified or provided with effective interventions. 

4. ADHD is diagnosed between 3 to 9 times more frequently in boys than girls. It is believed that many more girls actually have ADHD and aren't diagnosed because often they exhibit fewer of the disruptive behaviors associated with hyperactivity and impulsivity. Many girls have the predominantly inattentive type of the disorder and are likely not being identified and diagnosed. 

5. The challenging behaviors that are exhibited by children with ADHD stem from their physiological,neurobiological disorder.  

(My son exhibits that neuro disorder-its why he is only on a 12 yr old leaning level instead of 16 as his age) 

The inappropriate behaviors they may display are generally not willful or deliberate. Typically their behaviors and how they impact on others are not even within the childs awareness. 

(That whole statement describes my son to this very day) 

6. Children with ADHD are more likely than their peers to be suspended or expelled from school, retained a grade or drop out of school, have trouble socially and emotionally, and experience rejection,ridicule(my son is experiencing that right now in his school) and punishment. 

7. In spite of difficulties, children/teens with ADHD may also have many strengths and high potential. They are often creative,intelligent, and gifted in certain areas.(examples: artistically,musically,athletically, verbally). 

8. ADHD is a lifelong disorder. It generally continues into adolescence, and up to 70% continue to exhibit symptons into adulthood. However, the symptons change as the person matures. Hyperactive behaviours  of younger children(running around the classroom,falling out of chairs)_ are seen as fidgetiness,pacing,and less overt behaviours as adolescence/adults. (examples would be : changing plans and career paths frequently---this is what I worry about with my son for after he graduates)