Comments on: ADHD is a fad again?! Shame and Guilt are back! http://www.adderworld.com/blog1/2010/08/28/adhd-is-a-fad-again-shame-and-guilt-are-back/ Bryan Hutchinson's thoughts about ADD ADHD Attention Deficit Disorder and other stuff Sun, 06 May 2012 01:22:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: Scott Hutson http://www.adderworld.com/blog1/2010/08/28/adhd-is-a-fad-again-shame-and-guilt-are-back/comment-page-1/#comment-40003 Scott Hutson Sat, 04 Sep 2010 00:49:25 +0000 http://www.adderworld.com/blog1/?p=3969#comment-40003 Chris, I can understand the frustration(for me anyway) that occurs when people who don't "suffer" from a disease (ADHD for one), yet assume that they know how it feels to be me. I try to just let it roll off of me, and not get upset with them, but be happy that they don't know and hope they will never feel the way it feels to be me. I would never wish that on anybody. Chris, I can understand the frustration(for me anyway) that occurs when people who don’t “suffer” from a disease (ADHD for one), yet assume that they know how it feels to be me.

I try to just let it roll off of me, and not get upset with them, but be happy that they don’t know and hope they will never feel the way it feels to be me. I would never wish that on anybody.

]]> By: Chris Heywood http://www.adderworld.com/blog1/2010/08/28/adhd-is-a-fad-again-shame-and-guilt-are-back/comment-page-1/#comment-39965 Chris Heywood Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:15:30 +0000 http://www.adderworld.com/blog1/?p=3969#comment-39965 I think the problem is that ADHD did sort of become a bit of a fad, in that it was used as a cover all diagnosis for anyone who was a bit fidgety and lacking attention, or was a 'naughty child'. A lot of the time that really could be down to diet/sleep etc. People realise that these are the reasons for those particular cases and then everyone, including those of us for whom those aren't the reasons and who do genuinely suffer from ADHD, gets tarred with the same brush as those who just have bad lifestyles. I know it exists and isn't just a fad, but I can't possibly believe that anyone who doesn't suffer from it could understand at all what I go through, and therefore it is that much more difficult for a non-sufferer to believe it exists. Honestly, from an objective point of view, it really does just sound like some made up illness to excuse naughty children. Misdiagnosis reinforces that belief, leaving the rest of us with a bad image. I think the problem is that ADHD did sort of become a bit of a fad, in that it was used as a cover all diagnosis for anyone who was a bit fidgety and lacking attention, or was a ‘naughty child’.

A lot of the time that really could be down to diet/sleep etc. People realise that these are the reasons for those particular cases and then everyone, including those of us for whom those aren’t the reasons and who do genuinely suffer from ADHD, gets tarred with the same brush as those who just have bad lifestyles.

I know it exists and isn’t just a fad, but I can’t possibly believe that anyone who doesn’t suffer from it could understand at all what I go through, and therefore it is that much more difficult for a non-sufferer to believe it exists.

Honestly, from an objective point of view, it really does just sound like some made up illness to excuse naughty children. Misdiagnosis reinforces that belief, leaving the rest of us with a bad image.

]]> By: Jacquelyn http://www.adderworld.com/blog1/2010/08/28/adhd-is-a-fad-again-shame-and-guilt-are-back/comment-page-1/#comment-39932 Jacquelyn Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:05:31 +0000 http://www.adderworld.com/blog1/?p=3969#comment-39932 I meant "Excellent!" as my reply to Dr. Katherine's post. I meant “Excellent!” as my reply to Dr. Katherine’s post.

]]> By: Jacquelyn http://www.adderworld.com/blog1/2010/08/28/adhd-is-a-fad-again-shame-and-guilt-are-back/comment-page-1/#comment-39931 Jacquelyn Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:04:20 +0000 http://www.adderworld.com/blog1/?p=3969#comment-39931 Excellent! Excellent!

]]> By: Marijean Woodward http://www.adderworld.com/blog1/2010/08/28/adhd-is-a-fad-again-shame-and-guilt-are-back/comment-page-1/#comment-39908 Marijean Woodward Thu, 02 Sep 2010 06:36:25 +0000 http://www.adderworld.com/blog1/?p=3969#comment-39908 Bryan, I find Dr. Herr's article a lame attempt to move air about... that is it. Oh, wait! One more thing before I go... I would like to use the following excerpts from the article on which I base my opinion. 1. "This superfluity of focused misinformation has helped fuel a "... HERR'D of irresponsible, offensive and ignorant attempts to SPEW utter nonsense! 2. "Like hysteria before it, ADHD has been a disorder of its time. And now it’s time to leave it behind and make a commitment to helping children be their best." YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! I am searching for words right now but something along the lines of HERR is sending out a rally cry inciting parents, professionals and peers to berate, chide, hound, nag, exclude, tease, bully and shout --TRY HARDER! SIT STILL! PAY ATTENTION! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? TRY! TRY HARDER! --Methodically destroying the heart and being of ADHD children. Dr. Herr's "opinion" is more like a manifesto for the "Try! - Pick Yourself up by Your Bootstraps - Shape Up or Ship Out - Try Harder! Organization. THANK YOU Bryan, Gina Pera, Dr. McNeil, and all who post, defend and advocate for the truth. Marijean Woodward Seattle, WA Bryan, I find Dr. Herr’s article a lame attempt to move air about… that is it.

Oh, wait! One more thing before I go…

I would like to use the following excerpts from the article on which I base my opinion.
1. “This superfluity of focused misinformation has helped fuel a “…
HERR’D of irresponsible, offensive and ignorant attempts to SPEW utter nonsense!

2. “Like hysteria before it, ADHD has been a disorder of its time. And now it’s time to leave it behind and make a commitment to helping children be their best.”
YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!

I am searching for words right now but something along the lines of HERR is sending out a rally cry
inciting parents, professionals and peers to berate, chide, hound, nag, exclude, tease, bully and shout –TRY HARDER! SIT STILL! PAY ATTENTION! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? TRY!
TRY HARDER! –Methodically destroying the heart and being of ADHD children.
Dr. Herr’s “opinion” is more like a manifesto for the “Try! – Pick Yourself up by Your Bootstraps – Shape Up or Ship Out – Try Harder! Organization.
THANK YOU Bryan, Gina Pera, Dr. McNeil, and all who post, defend and advocate for the truth.

Marijean Woodward
Seattle, WA

]]> By: Dr. Katherine Nell McNeil http://www.adderworld.com/blog1/2010/08/28/adhd-is-a-fad-again-shame-and-guilt-are-back/comment-page-1/#comment-39796 Dr. Katherine Nell McNeil Tue, 31 Aug 2010 02:39:30 +0000 http://www.adderworld.com/blog1/?p=3969#comment-39796 Dr. Herr, I have a simple question. How can an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Studies, Leadership and Counseling come to the conclusion that a disorder included in the The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition text revision (DSM-IV TR) used by clinicians and psychiatrists to diagnose psychiatric illnesses is a ruse and we need to "get past it." Do you have day to day contact with students or adults with ADHD. Have you been involved in blind tests where you compare students diagnosed with ADHD, remove their meds and institute all the variables you recommend? If not why not institute a study or two before you come out with an article like this. You do more harm than help. I am an adjunct professor AND I work in the trenches everyday with these students. Furthermore, I know what it is like being an individual with severe ADHD and learning disabilities. As an educator I am appalled when people like you get your articles published. We have to undo all the collateral damage it causes. Dr. Katherine Nell McNeil Dr. Herr,
I have a simple question. How can an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Studies, Leadership and Counseling come to the conclusion that a disorder included in the The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition text revision (DSM-IV TR) used by clinicians and psychiatrists to diagnose psychiatric illnesses is a ruse and we need to “get past it.” Do you have day to day contact with students or adults with ADHD. Have you been involved in blind tests where you compare students diagnosed with ADHD, remove their meds and institute all the variables you recommend? If not why not institute a study or two before you come out with an article like this. You do more harm than help. I am an adjunct professor AND I work in the trenches everyday with these students. Furthermore, I know what it is like being an individual with severe ADHD and learning disabilities. As an educator I am appalled when people like you get your articles published. We have to undo all the collateral damage it causes.
Dr. Katherine Nell McNeil

]]> By: Bryan Hutchinson http://www.adderworld.com/blog1/2010/08/28/adhd-is-a-fad-again-shame-and-guilt-are-back/comment-page-1/#comment-39758 Bryan Hutchinson Mon, 30 Aug 2010 07:42:32 +0000 http://www.adderworld.com/blog1/?p=3969#comment-39758 Actually, Barb, there is a pill. ADHD medication seems to give people without ADHD, ADHD! But, we shouldn't just give it to anyone now, now.... :) Actually, Barb, there is a pill. ADHD medication seems to give people without ADHD, ADHD! But, we shouldn’t just give it to anyone now, now….

:)

]]> By: Bryan Hutchinson http://www.adderworld.com/blog1/2010/08/28/adhd-is-a-fad-again-shame-and-guilt-are-back/comment-page-1/#comment-39756 Bryan Hutchinson Mon, 30 Aug 2010 07:39:34 +0000 http://www.adderworld.com/blog1/?p=3969#comment-39756 Seems we have started a letter's parade!! I have received several already, which have been sent to his university and the newspaper that published his article. That's a good thing. I agree Mr. Herr is possibly looking for attention, so let's indeed give it to him, but by letting his educational institution know what we think of his opinion and how it affects those of us living with ADHD and our families, friends etc... His article is a blatant disregard for the most researched mental disorder of our time, which is indeed included in the DSM, published by the American Psychiatric Association! Unfortunately, a lot of people simply do not know that ADHD is so well researched and has been studied and scrutinized by the most brilliant minds of our time to be confirmed to be a valid disorder. Obviously, Mr. Herr does not seem to be aware of the science and the facts of ADHD, or, as Gina puts it, he is just looking for attention. Seems we have started a letter’s parade!! I have received several already, which have been sent to his university and the newspaper that published his article. That’s a good thing. I agree Mr. Herr is possibly looking for attention, so let’s indeed give it to him, but by letting his educational institution know what we think of his opinion and how it affects those of us living with ADHD and our families, friends etc… His article is a blatant disregard for the most researched mental disorder of our time, which is indeed included in the DSM, published by the American Psychiatric Association! Unfortunately, a lot of people simply do not know that ADHD is so well researched and has been studied and scrutinized by the most brilliant minds of our time to be confirmed to be a valid disorder. Obviously, Mr. Herr does not seem to be aware of the science and the facts of ADHD, or, as Gina puts it, he is just looking for attention.

]]> By: Gina Pera http://www.adderworld.com/blog1/2010/08/28/adhd-is-a-fad-again-shame-and-guilt-are-back/comment-page-1/#comment-39735 Gina Pera Sun, 29 Aug 2010 22:35:03 +0000 http://www.adderworld.com/blog1/?p=3969#comment-39735 Or how about this? My letter to University President Dr. Randy Dunn , sent via chief of staff Joshua Jacob, joshua.jacobs@murraystate.edu Dear Dr. Dunn, I know tenured professors can do and say whatever they like without risking censure, and of course any citizen is entitled to free speech, no matter how ignorant their opinions. But I hope that Stephen R. Herr is not allowed to teach his crackpot ideology to teachers in training. If so, I consider that educational malfeasance, and I suspect accrediting boards might as well. Surely, it's at least worthy of an investigation. Here is the "opinion" piece in question, which surely illustrates the axiom that "you can have your own opinions, but you can't have your own facts." Herr surely has no facts. http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2010/0819/ADHD-Has-this-diagnostic-fad-run-its-course Perhaps it would be wise to require that the press office review future “opinion pieces” from professors; after all, they surely do reflect a university’s reputation. And right now, the opinion of your university held by Christian Science Monitor’s readers must be very, very low. Or how about this? My letter to University President Dr. Randy Dunn , sent via chief of staff Joshua Jacob, joshua.jacobs@murraystate.edu

Dear Dr. Dunn,

I know tenured professors can do and say whatever they like without risking censure, and of course any citizen is entitled to free speech, no matter how ignorant their opinions.

But I hope that Stephen R. Herr is not allowed to teach his crackpot ideology to teachers in training. If so, I consider that educational malfeasance, and I suspect accrediting boards might as well. Surely, it’s at least worthy of an investigation.

Here is the “opinion” piece in question, which surely illustrates the axiom that “you can have your own opinions, but you can’t have your own facts.” Herr surely has no facts.

http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2010/0819/ADHD-Has-this-diagnostic-fad-run-its-course

Perhaps it would be wise to require that the press office review future “opinion pieces” from professors; after all, they surely do reflect a university’s reputation. And right now, the opinion of your university held by Christian Science Monitor’s readers must be very, very low.

]]> By: Gina Pera http://www.adderworld.com/blog1/2010/08/28/adhd-is-a-fad-again-shame-and-guilt-are-back/comment-page-1/#comment-39731 Gina Pera Sun, 29 Aug 2010 22:18:06 +0000 http://www.adderworld.com/blog1/?p=3969#comment-39731 Methinks Herr Herr is looking for, um, attention. Here's an idea: Let's don't give it to him. ;-) Methinks Herr Herr is looking for, um, attention.

Here’s an idea: Let’s don’t give it to him. ;-)

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