The Disorder

[LiLMissADDitude]

ADHD

Symptoms
DSM-IV Diagnostic Criteria for ADHD

A. Either 1 or 2:
1. Six or more of the following symptoms of inattention
have persisted for at least six months to a degree
that is maladaptive and inconsistent with developmental level:

a. Often fails to give close attention to details or makes
careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities
b. Often has difficulty sustaining attention in
tasks or play activities
c. Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
d. Often does not follow through on instructions and fails
to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace
(not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand
instructions)
e. Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
f. Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks
that require sustained mental effort (such as homework)
g. Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities (toys,
school assignments, pencils, books, or tools)
h. Is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
i. Is often forgetful in daily activities

2. Six or more of the following symptoms of hyperactivity-
impulsivity have persisted for at least six months to a
degree that is maladaplive and inconsistent with developmental level:

Hyperactivity
a. Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat
b. Often leaves seat in classroom or in other
situations in which remaining seated is expected
c. Often runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which it is
inappropriate (in adolescents or adults, may be limited to
subjective feelings of restlessness)
d. Often has difficulty playing or engaging in
leisure activities quietly
e. Is often "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor"
f. Often talks excessively

Impulsivity
g. Often blurts out answers before questions have been completed
h. Often has difficulty awaiting turn
i. Often interrupts or intrudes on others (such
as butting into conversations or games)

B. Some hyperactive, impulsive, or inattentive symptoms that
caused impairment were present before age 7 years
C. Some impairment from the symptoms is present in two or more
settings (such as in school or work and at home)
D. There must be clear evidence of clinically significant
impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning
E. The symptoms do not occur exclusively during the course
of a pervasive developmental disorder, schizophrenia, or another
psychotic disorder and are not better accounted for by another
mental disorder (such as a mood, anxiety, dissociative, or
personality disorder)

ADHD Types Using DSM-IV criteria

ADHD, predominantly inattentive type
Meets inattention criteria (section Al) for the past 6 mo

ADHD, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type
Meets hyperactive-impulsive criteria (section A2) for the past 6 mo

ADHD, combined type
Meets criteria for section Al and section A2 for the past 6 mo

ADHD, not otherwise specified
Prominent symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity that do not meet the criteria for ADHD
In partial remission

The parents say "You obviously never have raised a child with this disorder. They are hyperactive, innatentive, impulsive, and immature. They don't listen, and they cant complete homework, I used to get calls from the teacher every day about my son being in trouble, now that he is on medication he is a whole different child. I can talk to him. He does his homework, gets his chores done. If you are against medication then you have obviously not experienced an ADHD child"

[LiLMissADDitude]

ADHD is NOT A DISORDER it is a difference. Many will argue this fact.

"If its not a disorder then why cant these kids function normally" - Well.. I would respond, what is normal?? Normal equals AVERAGE.

"It is a biological defect that deals with the neurotransmitter dopamine. Not enough dopamine is processed and put into use by the brain" - This is not a defect, it is a difference, just as is eye color, handedness, height, and weight.

Now lets take a look at this from a different perspective.

(See next post)

[LiLMissADDitude]

It is the year 2212. The world has changed greatly, and so have its inhabitants. The majority of people living now are decendants of those who in an earlier time would have been labled "ADHD" The symptoms and traits of "ADHD" are now the norms of society. Children are expected to think like an "ADDer" because that is the way the majority of the population now thinks.

The new disorder.

ALTD - Abnormal Linear Thinking Disorder

This disorder is caused by a biological defect in which allows to much dopamine to be processed/used in the brain

Symptoms Include:

Thought Process Problems
a unoriginal thinking
b being inflexible / sticks to routine
c overorganized
d unimaginative
e unable to take risks when needed, likes to "play it safe"
f only able to work on / pay attention to one thing at once
g lacks talent/ability compared to peers in areas such as art, creative ideas, hands on building/projects
h does not allow others to interupt in mid story, is inflexible with conversation


Energy Level Difficulties
i is less active than peers, seats in seat, does not get up and walk/stretch as do the other children, this causes the child problems with their peers in social situations

This is a serious disorder but can be treated. The best solution is a medication called Xacy.

(This medication is chemically related to the drug ecstasy however in pharmacutical form has little side effects and is safe)

This medication will allow a child with ALTD to function more normally in society. They will become less inflexible, gain energy, become more creative etc.
They will fit in better with peers and be able to better participate in the educational curriculum of creative arts and hands on projects.

The parents say "You people who are against medication obviously have not raised a ALTD child. They are completely inflexible, only able to focus on one thing at once, and are so underactive they cannot keep up with family activities. It was a hard choice but eventually I gave in to the requests of schools and doctors and started my daughter on the medication Xacy. The results were amazing, she now acts more like other children her age. She is fitting in better with the family now, all the fights due to her needing constant routine have deminished. Xacy is a great help for my ALTD daughter and I cannot believe that anyone would deprive their child of having this medication, it will certainly better the childs life"

[Christine7777]

Originally Posted by LiLMissADDitude

ADHD

Symptoms
DSM-IV Diagnostic Criteria for ADHD

A. Either 1 or 2:
1. Six or more of the following symptoms of inattention
have persisted for at least six months to a degree
that is maladaptive and inconsistent with developmental level:

a. Often fails to give close attention to details or makes
careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities
b. Often has difficulty sustaining attention in
tasks or play activities
c. Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
d. Often does not follow through on instructions and fails
to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace
(not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand
instructions)
e. Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
f. Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks
that require sustained mental effort (such as homework)
g. Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities (toys,
school assignments, pencils, books, or tools)
h. Is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
i. Is often forgetful in daily activities

2. Six or more of the following symptoms of hyperactivity-
impulsivity have persisted for at least six months to a
degree that is maladaplive and inconsistent with developmental level:

Hyperactivity
a. Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat
b. Often leaves seat in classroom or in other
situations in which remaining seated is expected
c. Often runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which it is
inappropriate (in adolescents or adults, may be limited to
subjective feelings of restlessness)
d. Often has difficulty playing or engaging in
leisure activities quietly
e. Is often "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor"
f. Often talks excessively

Impulsivity
g. Often blurts out answers before questions have been completed
h. Often has difficulty awaiting turn
i. Often interrupts or intrudes on others (such
as butting into conversations or games)

B. Some hyperactive, impulsive, or inattentive symptoms that
caused impairment were present before age 7 years
C. Some impairment from the symptoms is present in two or more
settings (such as in school or work and at home)
D. There must be clear evidence of clinically significant
impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning
E. The symptoms do not occur exclusively during the course
of a pervasive developmental disorder, schizophrenia, or another
psychotic disorder and are not better accounted for by another
mental disorder (such as a mood, anxiety, dissociative, or
personality disorder)

ADHD Types Using DSM-IV criteria

ADHD, predominantly inattentive type
Meets inattention criteria (section Al) for the past 6 mo

ADHD, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type
Meets hyperactive-impulsive criteria (section A2) for the past 6 mo

ADHD, combined type
Meets criteria for section Al and section A2 for the past 6 mo

ADHD, not otherwise specified
Prominent symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity that do not meet the criteria for ADHD
In partial remission

The parents say "You obviously never have raised a child with this disorder. They are hyperactive, innatentive, impulsive, and immature. They don't listen, and they cant complete homework, I used to get calls from the teacher every day about my son being in trouble, now that he is on medication he is a whole different child. I can talk to him. He does his homework, gets his chores done. If you are against medication then you have obviously not experienced an ADHD child"

AMEN, SISTER!!!!!!