The Real Deal:. The Facts About ADHD

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By Mia Bolaris-Forget

The term ADHD has become an ever popular “catch-all” phrase when describing children and/or individual with a variety of unexpended energy that may result in anything and everything from being a bit over zealous in the school yard, losing focus in class or tapping a pencil on the desk.

Yet, what remains fact and what remains “fiction” is often separated a very fine line, but a very important one.

1. The Condition Will Get Better With Age: If you’re waiting for your child to outgrow his/her “condition”, don’t. Experts suggest that the majority (about 60 percent) of the diagnosed youngsters will carry the condition into adulthood. The key is early evaluation which helps keep at bay more serious issues and problems. Experts note that as children “mature” symptoms and how he or she deals with them can escalate and may lead to increased risk of antisocial, addictive, mood and anxiety disorders.

2. “Oversimplifying” and “Over Diagnosing” The Problem: Many are in the ( ) that pharmaceutical companies looking to bolster sales are leading medical professionals to diagnose and prescribe their pills to patients who in general don’t need them. However, an authentic “sufferer” of ADHD has a genuine neurobiological condition that’s IS a medical concern and not just a psychological issue, and earnestly need medication to help them function.

The problem, according to experts is that the condition still remains somewhat of a “misunderstood” “mystery” to many medical professionals and the risk of misdiagnosis does exist. With that said, they recommend seeking out a “specialist” or highly qualified and trusted physician.

3. Medication And Treatment Are Effective In Treating The Condition: Actually that holds true for only half of the population who are on meds, since only half of them really need them. Furthermore, even patients who show (some) improvement, only half their symptoms are alleviated. Additionally, medication may not be effective for treating issues with organizational skills, coping socially and being overwhelmed by emotion. And, they note, for many, psychotherapy can help with areas that medicines don’t.

4. Little Is Known Regarding Recovery: Experts are still unsure about whether or not individuals with ADHD can be cured. Treatment can often help those with the condition deal but little is certain about how well these patients fare in the long run and if and when therapy and medication has ended.

5. Just The Tip Of The Iceberg: According to experts those with ADHD also have other issues to deal with, primarily anxiety and depression and that can often mean that one condition (generally the mood disorder) get treated but not the other.

Also those (adults) with ADHD tend to be more prone to asthma, smoke, abuse alcohol and drugs, and may even be grossly overweight, all condition forcing those with ADHD to “self-medicate”.