Is ADD ADHD over Diagnosed? Part 2

As I stated in my previous article: I believe that ADD/ADHD is ‘’’under’’’ diagnosed! I have thought of a few major reasons for under diagnosis. These reasons are not, in any manner, the limit; however, they probably make up a significant portion of the under diagnosed population.

These are my personal thoughts with regard to my personal experiences and research and are not to be considered medical facts or used for any kind of diagnosis or treatment.

Let’s start with hyperactive and inactive children. Hyperactive children are more likely to receive treatment for ADHD than an ADD child who is more inactive and quiet. In this case the inactive child has ADD and the hyperactive child has ADHD. Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder.

A hyperactive child can be difficult on parents and teachers in many ways, if the child would sit still for a minute, then the parent, teacher or guardian can get something of his or her own done. There are so many situations which necessitate for an adult to have a calm child and I am sure you can imagine many of them, so, I won’t even try to describe all. Because a child is hyperactive, he or she is more likely to be referred to a medical care professional. Inactive children with ADD can get by for a longer period of time before being diagnosed. Inactive and quiet children are preferred by most adults and by their very nature can get by unnoticed for a while, before grades become an issue or inattentiveness at home becomes an issue with regards to homework, chores and following general instructions. It is interesting that this situation can happen under one roof, and it has been reported frequently that a hyperactive child is diagnosed with ADHD while their sibling goes undiagnosed for a longer while, sometimes years, but is indeed ADD positive—the sibling happened to be the inactive type in most of these cases. This shows a preference not only for parents, but society in general. The important thing to remember here is that ADD and ADHD have been proven to be hereditary.   

Some parents do not believe ADD and ADHD exist. They instead believe that punishment is the answer for a child’s behavior. For adults who grew up undiagnosed with ADD or ADHD punishment was a frequent and seemingly necessary cure back in the day when ADD/ADHD was not yet understood. Today, we know that punishment is the short term ‘cure’, and over time frequent punishment can have a very damaging effect on a child’s natural growth, and will follow the child into adulthood by building resentment and low self esteem. Punishment works because it provides the child with an adrenalin boost provided by fear and pain, this adrenalin boost helps the child concentrate and react better for a short period of time and because it is a short term boost the child will revert. On the other hand, if the child happens to be hyperactive, frequent punishment can pull the child into compliance and eventually subdue the hyperactivity, but this comes at a very, very high cost to the child. A cost many parents do not understand or recognize until it is too late…

To be continued…

Here is something to read until my follow-up article:

webmd.com/add-adhd/news/20070904/many-kids-with-ADHD-arent-diagnosed

~Bryan

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