Breggin, Peter R. "A.D.H.D. Is a Misdiagnosis." New York Times. N.p., 11 Oct. 2011. Web. 13 Oct. 2011. http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2011/10/12/are-americans-more-prone-to-adhd/adhd-is-a-misdiagnosis?scp=4&sq=mental%20illness&st=Search
This article was something I stumbled on while searching for something on the New York Times. Many teens and pre-teens have been diagnosed with A.D.D. or A.D.H.D. and are given medication to "calm" their hyperactive and sometimes obnoxious behaviors. But is this actually true? Through the study of the past few years, Mr. Breggin has proven that not to be the case. Though many children are loud, bored, and sometimes just god awful, that's just how children are. This does not mean that anything is wrong with them. In the 1970's, drug companys, trying to boost revenue and make a little money, started creating these pills to make children more still and more attentitive. Parents, in a rush to find something to calm their child, took them to a doctor who prescribed them with this medication. Many children don't actually have A.D.H.D. and are just taking pills for no reason! In current studies, students who were taken in as possible A.D.H.D. patients went in for a psychosocial education evaluation. With a few hours of improved teaching and parenting, they soon improved and showed no signs of the supposed mental illness.
I found this article facinating because I never knew that this was actually true. I thought that people just had it and that it was cut and dry. But I never knew such a scandal could exist. I mean I personally know someone diagnosed with A.D.H.D. and now I have to wonder if he actually has it, or if it's just a clever ruse. The article makes you think, no?
I agree this article makes you think, and I like that! Many of us know someone who has been diagnosed with A.D.H.D, but the fact that it may be a bit of a hoax is very interesting. I agree, I never knew that the medication was probably prescribed when it is not needed. Further research on this topic would be very interesting I think to further pursue. Is the disease one that can be grown out of? Does the medication have other effects on patients that would do more than just "help" their A.D.H.D? Is medication perscribed just to please the mothers, or are doctors seriously recommending it?...these are a few things that would be interesting to further investigate. Great topic!
ReplyDeleteThis was a very interesting post! I have never considered the fact that children who are diagnosed with A.D.H.D may not actually have it. Although I do believe this may be the case for several kids, I'm sure there are some that do have the disorder. This would definitely be a good topic to further research! I'm sure there are many people who have opinions regarding whether or not this assumption is true. I can see why you are planning to use this for your research paper Kasey! Good job!
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