NationStates Jolt Archive

When I was diagnosed with ADD a couple of years ago, I didn't care that I was getting labelled because I thought I was gonna be helped. Soon after things only got worse-I suddenly COULDN'T pay any attention in class, I forgot homework assignments even less, I got a D on my Social Studies class which was almost an F. (I had never gotten a C before in my LIFE, much less a D!) and it was all crumbling down. I think this was because I was labeled ADD, and I believed it... so is labelling someone ADD/ADHD just making things worse?

What you were affected by was really sort of an extension of the placebo effect. You believed it to be real, and so it became real.

Another thing that happens a lot when a person is diagnosed with ADD, Dyslexia, or some other minor learning disability, is that they use it as a crutch. "I can't do any better in school because I have ADD" "I can't read that book, I'm dyslexic." That sort of thing. The disability gives you an excuse to avoid trying.

And before anyone accuses me of being intollerant or not knowing what I'm talking about, I have rather severe cases of both ADD and dyslexia.

What you were affected by was really sort of an extension of the placebo effect. You believed it to be real, and so it became real.

Another thing that happens a lot when a person is diagnosed with ADD, Dyslexia, or some other minor learning disability, is that they use it as a crutch. "I can't do any better in school because I have ADD" "I can't read that book, I'm dyslexic." That sort of thing. The disability gives you an excuse to avoid trying.

And before anyone accuses me of being intollerant or not knowing what I'm talking about, I have rather severe cases of both ADD and dyslexia.
I know an entire family who blames their lack of organization, ability to get anywhere on time, and general bitchiness on ADD/ADHD.

I'm a little annoyed that there are now two threads in which a very real, often very significant problem will be trivialized and ridiculed. As I will address in your other thread, ADD/ADHD is very real.

In your other thread you question of the legitimacy of the disorder. If you assume the disorder is legitimate, however, it is rather silly to question whether it should be diagnosed.

Does diagnosing someone with cancer make it worse?

What about "labelling" someone as having a broken leg?

Or diagnosing depression or schizophrenia?

Generally, one is not diagnosed as having any illness or disorder unless one is having symptoms or problems for which they seek help. A diagnosis may or may not mean that get help.

Some may use a diagnosis as an "excuse." Many people milk any number of conditions for any number of reasons. An example at one end of the scale is that I am sure just about everyone has -- at one time or another -- used a cold or flu to avoid unnecessarily school or work.

Diagnoses may be wrong. They may be abused.

But, with most illnesses and disorders, diagnoses allow for treatment and/or coping mechanisms.

Those properly diagnosed with ADD/ADHD can get treatment which can reduce or alleviate its effects. Data is starting to indicate that long term treatment may even alleviate the condition.

Diagnosis can also result in learning different behaviors to compensate with ADD/ADHD. And to recognize when one is not acting as expected.

EDIT: And, BTW, ADD/ADHD is not simply a childhood disorder. Adults can and do have ADD/ADHD.

This is a diagnosis. Not a label. You act like it's something you give to a defective typewriter.
I grew up in the 70's & 80's where it was just labeled hyperactive instead of diagnosed as ADD.
My oldest daughter is diagnosed with it as well. I can't just give her meds & not tell her what it's for.
She does really well in school when she takes her Meds. When she forgets she does not do so well.
She's a very very bright kid that has troube staying focused in group situations.
Everyone has their share of problems but at least you have an idea what's causing some of yours & now can do something about it.
I just try to make it clear to my daughter that she has this but she can't use it as an excuse for why she having struggles in school.
Also, if you know you can tell someone if & when your not feeling right & hopefully inprove the situation.

I think that we need to stop calling it a disorder. I was diagnosed with it years ago, and I used to take medication for it. I got off the meds, and I can cope just fine. Honestly, I think that my ADD helps me do certain things that other people can't. Yes, I have a hard time paying attention to boring stuff, but that also means that I find out very quickly what is useful and what isn't. I can also speed read through books and retain a vast majority of the information. I rarely study for tests. The problem is not the ADD. The problem is that our society is not organized to utilize these people's full potential.

my eldest son (age 7) was diagnosed with ADHD earlier this month. I had known something was not quite right with him since he was 3-4. One thing I will tell you is that knowing what is wrong and how to deal with it has helped him tremendously. We changed his diet and put him on medication. His teachers have noticed a difference also. He is calmer, more focused without sitting there stoned. ADD isn't a label (calling someone stupid all the time is a label) it is a true medical diagnosis. Keeping a routine and sticking to it as well as setting limits on what he is allowed to do and when has helped him. The diagnosis hasn't hindered him but helped. I do believe, however that many times it is the schools who pressure parents and doctors into the diagnosis because they don't want to deal with kids who are a little more high strung. These kids do not benefit from the medications (it stones them out) and are really harmed by it. Those who truly have ADD are helped by the diagnosis but it should never be used as an excuse for laziness.