Are ADD and ADHD real conditions or excuses for undesirable behavior?

Is there someone out there who can prove it is or isn't? i wont be giving thumbs up or downs. I'd like every ones opinion on this. 10 points to whom i believe gives the best answer.

I think its both a bunch of crap to be honest. its just another lousy way of a doctor making money by stuffing us with meds. i hate that people will have their children on something just because they are hyper..um hello???!!! A kid is suppose to be full of energy and crazy. and for those that need help b/c they cant pay attention...its called read a book and train your mind instead of being a lazy @$$hole!

sorry, i just think all that crap is..well CRAP! :)

You can always get someone to agree w. you, but if you had an ADHD child, you will change your opinion. I had one. Being there is all the proof I need. I used good, sound parenting. ADHD kids r sensitive to outward stimuli. It is much more diff. for them to filter it all out. Read Dr. Doris Rapp. Report Abuse

ADD and ADHD are real conditions the do effect some children, and adults.
However, it is also grossly over diagnosed and is usually an excuse for trouble children with parents who just don't give their children the right kind of attention.

At least here it is. I grew up with a child who had ADHD, and it was really bad, and it resulted in him getting hit and killed by an 18 wheeler. Simply because he wasn't paying attention.

I'm now about to marry someone who has also been diagnosed with ADD, and though it isn't nearly as severe as the person from my child hood, it shows most when we are sitting around, just relaxing, he's not capable of it.

I think that to truly understand whether or not a child, or adult has either, you need to observe them when they are not acting out. Are they able to concentrate on anything at all? Some things better than others? Etc... You can't diagnose a child simply based on what they are like when they misbehave. Children ask for attention in many different ways, and acting out is qutie common.

There has been a lot of conflicting research on the subject. Some researchers have shown a difference in brain development in young ADHD patients - mainly that the parts of the brain responsible for attention and focus are less developed than those of children without symptoms of ADHD. Some scientists have also found different levels of hormones and chemicals in the brains of ADHD patients versus non ADHD patients.

I think there's a marked difference between a child who just isn't disciplined and obedient, and a child with ADHD. Children with ADHD often find social situations difficult, and become frustrated and upset that they can't control their behaviors - whereas their non-ADHD peers who act out because they want to don't have any trouble controlling themselves.

I work in a pediatrician's office and out of all the children here who are on meds for ADHD, I've only come across two who I think have a serious problem. Many can just benefit from better parenting in my opinion. And to top it all off, many of these parents are trying to get social security for their kids having ADHD. What's up with that?

They are both. Some kids have real problems - and when you see it, you'd know. You get this nice child with a problem glued on. It's entirely different to a spoiled brat. It is. Really.

But an awful lot of people will say that their child has a problem (normally self-diagnosed) rather than face that they are a spoiled brat.

I mean, come on. Do you seriously think that doctors make it up? I think you are neglecting just how much research goes into this sort of thing. Vast amounts, by some extremely clever people. Just because some parents read a couple of layman's articles and decide that's what their kid has doesn't mean that it isn't a real problem for others.

Do you have a child with add or adhd? Its VERY difficult to cope with. it isnt an excuse. Their mind wanders very very easy and because of this they get frustrated when they cant do something right. If you see the difference in a add or adhd child who is acting up compared to a healthy child thats acting up. you will see where im coming from.

Its real. People take medicine for it. People are really insensitive if they think its an excuse for laziness. Because it is not. It really is a disorder that affects your learning process.

I have it. (: And believe me, it's a real condition. Haha.

Good Luck.

Yasmine <3

I heard that people with this disoder only live in the US

it's been around for ever, and back in the day they had a quick drug free solution to it...an azz woopin"!