[IYAS9YAS]

While I don't doubt that a condition exists (I'm very much absent-minded to the point my wife asks if I have dain bramage), I have a hard time believing it exists at such high levels.

I think that there is a middle-ground that needs to be reached where the schools and drug companies need to be taken out of the equation. I don't doubt some people need medication, I do doubt that every so many kids has ADHD.

I also have a big concern about the difference between boys and girls when it comes to this...you'd think there'd be more similarities.

[Lazamataz]

While I don't doubt that a condition exists (I'm very much absent-minded to the point my wife asks if I have dain bramage), I have a hard time believing it exists at such high levels.

I don't disagree. I think it is overdiagnosed, and I am especially leery about putting lots of children on these drugs.

But to deny it's existance is analogous to someone denying the existence of clinical depression.

[myrabach]

"I think that there is a middle-ground that needs to be reached where the schools and drug companies need to be taken out of the equation. I don't doubt some people need medication, I do doubt that every so many kids has ADHD..."

Actually, there are many MD's trying to classify ADHD and ADD as diseases or syndromes, etc. The reason for this is that once its reclassified, only a doctor can diagnose and prescribe. As it stands now, as a disorder, any lay person such as a teacher or school "therapist" can diagnose a child. This is part of the reason so many children are diagnosed and medicated. Once the school has diagnosed the child... the parents then are more or less forced to medicate.

So there are very serious medical experts working on the problem to quantify symptoms and monitor progress as in the case of other syndromes.

Those of us with children and in my case, grandchildren, appreciate the seriousness of ADHD and ADD. We also appreciate the effects of medication in allowing our children to live worthwhile lives. We also appreciate the dangers of those "experts" who continually ignore the seriousness of ADHD and those of you who feel that somehow a "swift kick in the rear" will magically clear out the raging storm in an afflicted child's brain.