Comments on: The ADD Excuse http://www.chimericfire.com/blog/rant/the-add-excuse/ Sat, 05 Mar 2011 16:14:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Nathaniel http://www.chimericfire.com/blog/rant/the-add-excuse/comment-page-1/#comment-3142 Nathaniel Sat, 25 Sep 2010 06:19:36 +0000 http://www.chimericfire.com/blog/rant/the-add-excuse/#comment-3142 I have been officially diagnosed, it runs in my family, my father and my sister both have it as well. I can't speak for my father or sister, because I wasn't there when they were diagnosed and haven't asked, but I was diagnosed by a psychologist as well (although whether or not he specialized in ADD I do not know), not by a random doctor doing exploratory prescriptions. I'm not denying that it is something real. I have noticed things like the fact that stimulants and depressants seem to work very differently in people with ADD than they do with so called "normal" people. What you did was the correct thing to do. You didn't use your "disorder" as a crutch and you attempted to overcome it. Sure, you struggled as we all do, but you wouldn't allow yourself to be doped up or be called stupid. I too have always had trouble making friends but so what? Dr. Seus got it right when he said "those that matter don't mind, and those that mind don't matter." I wouldn't want to be friends with anyone who wouldn't want to have me as a friend anyhow. In any case, you are the exception, not the rule. It is my honest belief that ADD/ADHD are SEVERELY over/misdiagnosed and that the majority of cases are simply the natural result of kids being bored... which is often caused by ill-informed teachers who simply don't know how to keep kids attention when covering boring topics. It's also caused by the fact that kids are not taught HOW to learn, only that they must, and even then they're not taught why they must, or why the reason the propose are relevant at all. Regardless of whether ADD/ADHD exists, and whether or not I'm "a giant douchebag with shit for brains" you do realize that you took the course of action that I suggested? You didn't use your disorder as a crutch and you tried to overcome and accept your own shortcomings without allowing them to dope you up. That was my entire point from the start. If we treat all kids like this, teach them how to learn, teach them discipline, teach them to overcome/accept their differences and stop trying to dope up the deviants, I think we would be much better off. It won't cure what we call ADD/ADHD, and for those that have it, it will always be a struggle (as it seems to be for the both of us), but it will help a lot more than doping people up. On a side note, you don't have to apologize for thinking anything, even if it is thinking ill of someone. I'm fine with your opinion of me. I happen to disagree, but that's neither here nor there. I also don't really think you're sorry... and that's okay too. :P I have been officially diagnosed, it runs in my family, my father and my sister both have it as well. I can’t speak for my father or sister, because I wasn’t there when they were diagnosed and haven’t asked, but I was diagnosed by a psychologist as well (although whether or not he specialized in ADD I do not know), not by a random doctor doing exploratory prescriptions. I’m not denying that it is something real. I have noticed things like the fact that stimulants and depressants seem to work very differently in people with ADD than they do with so called “normal” people.

What you did was the correct thing to do. You didn’t use your “disorder” as a crutch and you attempted to overcome it. Sure, you struggled as we all do, but you wouldn’t allow yourself to be doped up or be called stupid. I too have always had trouble making friends but so what? Dr. Seus got it right when he said “those that matter don’t mind, and those that mind don’t matter.” I wouldn’t want to be friends with anyone who wouldn’t want to have me as a friend anyhow. In any case, you are the exception, not the rule. It is my honest belief that ADD/ADHD are SEVERELY over/misdiagnosed and that the majority of cases are simply the natural result of kids being bored… which is often caused by ill-informed teachers who simply don’t know how to keep kids attention when covering boring topics. It’s also caused by the fact that kids are not taught HOW to learn, only that they must, and even then they’re not taught why they must, or why the reason the propose are relevant at all.

Regardless of whether ADD/ADHD exists, and whether or not I’m “a giant douchebag with shit for brains” you do realize that you took the course of action that I suggested? You didn’t use your disorder as a crutch and you tried to overcome and accept your own shortcomings without allowing them to dope you up. That was my entire point from the start. If we treat all kids like this, teach them how to learn, teach them discipline, teach them to overcome/accept their differences and stop trying to dope up the deviants, I think we would be much better off. It won’t cure what we call ADD/ADHD, and for those that have it, it will always be a struggle (as it seems to be for the both of us), but it will help a lot more than doping people up.

On a side note, you don’t have to apologize for thinking anything, even if it is thinking ill of someone. I’m fine with your opinion of me. I happen to disagree, but that’s neither here nor there. I also don’t really think you’re sorry… and that’s okay too. :P

]]> By: Meridia http://www.chimericfire.com/blog/rant/the-add-excuse/comment-page-1/#comment-3139 Meridia Fri, 20 Aug 2010 20:01:37 +0000 http://www.chimericfire.com/blog/rant/the-add-excuse/#comment-3139 Wow, hello close-minded person. Your own personal experiences can\'t represent an entire genre of people. But hey, on some points I agree. Teachers and doctors are doping kids up like crazy just for being kids. But for some of us, it\'s an actual problem. Sure, you could call it a \"natural deviation\", but it still means we can\'t function the way the rest of the world does, ultimately becoming an inhibitor. I mean, with your argument, you could call ANY mental disorder \"a natural deviation\". But let\'s not get into that. You think it\'s bullshit? You think kids take it as an excuse? Well, let me tell you my story. I wasn\'t diagnosed until I was thirteen, when it tends to start showing up in highly intelligent children who were able to skate by until then. So did I embrace my disorder, take my pills, and use it as an excuse to be lazy? Hell no. I denied that I had it up until recently (nearly 18 now), refused to take pills, and did everything in my power to overcome my problems. (Which you did a terrible job covering in that list, by the way. ADDers have more issues than THAT.) I tried for years to achieve intense self-control. But no matter how incredibly uptight I was (and still am), I still couldn\'t take social cues, still couldn\'t help but interrupt, and I couldn\'t do my accursed homework. It got to the point where I couldn\'t deny it anymore. I still don\'t take pills, but embracing my weaknesses and learning to work around them is better than pretending I\'m just lazy, like you would have me believe. So no. I didn\'t use it as an excuse. I didn\'t take the pills. I wouldn\'t let my parents tell my teachers I had ADD, or even talk about it around me. And yet, despite my diligence, my grades still became steadily worse and worse as work piled on, my self-esteem worsened further, and my depression deepened infinitely. Not only that, but I couldn\'t make a real friend, because I was visibly different and often rude when I was trying desperately not to be. And to prove to you that I\'m not a fake case, I\'ll tell you: ADD has been in my family for many generations. It\'s a chemical brain imbalance, remember, and that means genetic. So, my grandfather had it before they even knew what it was. He struggled with it and became an alcoholic with a highly developed artistic side. But this completely poor, unsuccessful man wasn\'t using an excuse. There was no excuse for him. He just thought he was lazy, until the day he died. My dad is the same, but luckily for him, he was diagnosed in his lifetime. And so was I. Not just by a doctor either, but a man who specialized in ADD, and gave me hours of extensive, abstract tests to prove it. Based on my denial of it\'s existence, I even insisted on a retest two years later, and the results were the same. So. I object to your entire webpage. ADD\'s misunderstood and applied to too many people, but don\'t bash on people who actually have it. (Which, considering what I\'ve read, I kind of doubt you do.) It has made my life HELL, and will continue to do so throughout my existence. Perhaps now you understand why I think you\'re a giant douchebag with shit for brains. I\'m sorry, but I really do. Wow, hello close-minded person.
Your own personal experiences can\’t represent an entire genre of people. But hey, on some points I agree. Teachers and doctors are doping kids up like crazy just for being kids. But for some of us, it\’s an actual problem. Sure, you could call it a \”natural deviation\”, but it still means we can\’t function the way the rest of the world does, ultimately becoming an inhibitor. I mean, with your argument, you could call ANY mental disorder \”a natural deviation\”. But let\’s not get into that.
You think it\’s bullshit? You think kids take it as an excuse? Well, let me tell you my story. I wasn\’t diagnosed until I was thirteen, when it tends to start showing up in highly intelligent children who were able to skate by until then. So did I embrace my disorder, take my pills, and use it as an excuse to be lazy? Hell no. I denied that I had it up until recently (nearly 18 now), refused to take pills, and did everything in my power to overcome my problems. (Which you did a terrible job covering in that list, by the way. ADDers have more issues than THAT.) I tried for years to achieve intense self-control. But no matter how incredibly uptight I was (and still am), I still couldn\’t take social cues, still couldn\’t help but interrupt, and I couldn\’t do my accursed homework. It got to the point where I couldn\’t deny it anymore. I still don\’t take pills, but embracing my weaknesses and learning to work around them is better than pretending I\’m just lazy, like you would have me believe. So no. I didn\’t use it as an excuse. I didn\’t take the pills. I wouldn\’t let my parents tell my teachers I had ADD, or even talk about it around me. And yet, despite my diligence, my grades still became steadily worse and worse as work piled on, my self-esteem worsened further, and my depression deepened infinitely. Not only that, but I couldn\’t make a real friend, because I was visibly different and often rude when I was trying desperately not to be.
And to prove to you that I\’m not a fake case, I\’ll tell you: ADD has been in my family for many generations. It\’s a chemical brain imbalance, remember, and that means genetic. So, my grandfather had it before they even knew what it was. He struggled with it and became an alcoholic with a highly developed artistic side. But this completely poor, unsuccessful man wasn\’t using an excuse. There was no excuse for him. He just thought he was lazy, until the day he died. My dad is the same, but luckily for him, he was diagnosed in his lifetime. And so was I. Not just by a doctor either, but a man who specialized in ADD, and gave me hours of extensive, abstract tests to prove it. Based on my denial of it\’s existence, I even insisted on a retest two years later, and the results were the same.

So. I object to your entire webpage. ADD\’s misunderstood and applied to too many people, but don\’t bash on people who actually have it. (Which, considering what I\’ve read, I kind of doubt you do.) It has made my life HELL, and will continue to do so throughout my existence. Perhaps now you understand why I think you\’re a giant douchebag with shit for brains. I\’m sorry, but I really do.

]]> By: KillerZero1 http://www.chimericfire.com/blog/rant/the-add-excuse/comment-page-1/#comment-3093 KillerZero1 Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:55:56 +0000 http://www.chimericfire.com/blog/rant/the-add-excuse/#comment-3093 well technically the guy asked for a twinky and a foot, not a twinky wrapper and im sure twinkies don't have polyster, but none the less that was a good schooling well technically the guy asked for a twinky and a foot, not a twinky wrapper and im sure twinkies don’t have polyster, but none the less that was a good schooling

]]> By: Joan http://www.chimericfire.com/blog/rant/the-add-excuse/comment-page-1/#comment-1715 Joan Mon, 31 Mar 2008 02:20:32 +0000 http://www.chimericfire.com/blog/rant/the-add-excuse/#comment-1715 Thank you for writing back. My grandson is only 9 years old, and I do believe the problem may be boredom. My daughter will not put him on medicine, and is giving him fish oil and flaxseed and any other natural product to see if it helps. He's a sweet and mannerly boy. I will continue to keep you , as well as others, in my prayers, and it sounds as though you are solving your problem with success. Thanks again..I wish his teachers were a little bit more educated about this problem. Thank you for writing back. My grandson is only 9 years old, and I do believe the problem may be boredom. My daughter will not put him on medicine, and is giving him fish oil and flaxseed and any other natural product to see if it helps. He’s a sweet and mannerly boy. I will continue to keep you , as well as others, in my prayers, and it sounds as though you are solving your problem with success. Thanks again..I wish his teachers were a little bit more educated about this problem.

]]> By: Nathaniel http://www.chimericfire.com/blog/rant/the-add-excuse/comment-page-1/#comment-1694 Nathaniel Sat, 29 Mar 2008 17:40:42 +0000 http://www.chimericfire.com/blog/rant/the-add-excuse/#comment-1694 It's not a problem. Sounds like your grandson is one of the good ones. It's unfortunate how kids are treated these days, especially those who are perceived as being "different". Sounds to me like the child's main problem is boredom. If he where challenged in school, perhaps he might be more interested. My only advice, which is what helped me get through it, is to learn how to learn. I know my brain works a certain way, I know I have difficulty focusing and remembering facts. Knowing my weak points and my strong points, allows me to refocus my efforts. With discipline and determination, any obstacle can be overcome. Children with ADD/Dyslexia also tend to be more visual learners, so seeing how things work and being able to dig right in and play around with stuff is very helpful. I don't know a single person with ADD who can actually learn anything by being talked to. We just have to see it in action. Being treated differently and hearing everyone tell you "There's something wrong with your brain" can cause a LOT of damage to a kid's psyche. What got me to finally think of myself as intelligent was the drive to prove all those people wrong. I wish you and your family the best. And thanks for the discussion. It’s not a problem. Sounds like your grandson is one of the good ones. It’s unfortunate how kids are treated these days, especially those who are perceived as being “different”. Sounds to me like the child’s main problem is boredom. If he where challenged in school, perhaps he might be more interested.

My only advice, which is what helped me get through it, is to learn how to learn. I know my brain works a certain way, I know I have difficulty focusing and remembering facts. Knowing my weak points and my strong points, allows me to refocus my efforts. With discipline and determination, any obstacle can be overcome.

Children with ADD/Dyslexia also tend to be more visual learners, so seeing how things work and being able to dig right in and play around with stuff is very helpful. I don’t know a single person with ADD who can actually learn anything by being talked to. We just have to see it in action.

Being treated differently and hearing everyone tell you “There’s something wrong with your brain” can cause a LOT of damage to a kid’s psyche. What got me to finally think of myself as intelligent was the drive to prove all those people wrong.

I wish you and your family the best.
And thanks for the discussion.

]]> By: Joan http://www.chimericfire.com/blog/rant/the-add-excuse/comment-page-1/#comment-1685 Joan Sat, 29 Mar 2008 04:04:34 +0000 http://www.chimericfire.com/blog/rant/the-add-excuse/#comment-1685 I'm the one to apologize. I misunderstood what you were saying. I talked to my daughter, whose son(my grandson) has ADD. It hurts me so bad to see other kids make fun of his speech or his behavior or tics. And especially, some of his teachers, who I don't believe understand this. He is very intelligent, but his focusing and attention, in some classes, are hard for him. My daughter understood what you were saying and explained it to me. So sorry, and God Bless. I’m the one to apologize. I misunderstood what you were saying. I talked to my daughter, whose son(my grandson) has ADD. It hurts me so bad to see other kids make fun of his speech or his behavior or tics. And especially, some of his teachers, who I don’t believe understand this. He is very intelligent, but his focusing and attention, in some classes, are hard for him. My daughter understood what you were saying and explained it to me. So sorry, and God Bless.

]]> By: Nathaniel http://www.chimericfire.com/blog/rant/the-add-excuse/comment-page-1/#comment-1629 Nathaniel Wed, 26 Mar 2008 06:09:18 +0000 http://www.chimericfire.com/blog/rant/the-add-excuse/#comment-1629 If the previous comment was directed at the article (and not a comment from someone else), then I owe no one an apology. I HAVE ADD! The entire article is flatly stating that I believe that people use ADD as an excuse for laziness and bad behavior. It's also an excuse to dope uncontrollable kids up so that they can be controlled. I don't think you got the message I was trying to get across. I also also agree that kids with ADD can often times end up being more intelligent than kids who do not have the condition. In fact, I would also argue that kids with ADD are more likely to be highly intelligent because all the symptoms of ADD seem to indicate the child is bored (school is too easy and unchallenging). Again, I have been diagnosed with ADD. So I know what it's like, first hand. Perhaps I didn't make that obvious in the article, but there it is. My argument is that kids with ADD are really not that different from kids without and that everything we do to treat these children harms them both chemically and mentally. That is my honest belief. If the previous comment was directed at the article (and not a comment from someone else), then I owe no one an apology. I HAVE ADD!

The entire article is flatly stating that I believe that people use ADD as an excuse for laziness and bad behavior. It’s also an excuse to dope uncontrollable kids up so that they can be controlled.

I don’t think you got the message I was trying to get across. I also also agree that kids with ADD can often times end up being more intelligent than kids who do not have the condition. In fact, I would also argue that kids with ADD are more likely to be highly intelligent because all the symptoms of ADD seem to indicate the child is bored (school is too easy and unchallenging).

Again, I have been diagnosed with ADD. So I know what it’s like, first hand. Perhaps I didn’t make that obvious in the article, but there it is. My argument is that kids with ADD are really not that different from kids without and that everything we do to treat these children harms them both chemically and mentally. That is my honest belief.

]]> By: Joan http://www.chimericfire.com/blog/rant/the-add-excuse/comment-page-1/#comment-996 Joan Mon, 25 Feb 2008 03:22:03 +0000 http://www.chimericfire.com/blog/rant/the-add-excuse/#comment-996 I think you are out of your ever wasting mind. How cruel this is. I think an apology is due to all who has this affliction, and yes, they are intelligent people or kids, who turn out to be smarter than kids who are supposed to be highly intelligent.Shame on you. I think you are out of your ever wasting mind. How cruel this is. I think an apology is due to all who has this affliction, and yes, they are intelligent people or kids, who turn out to be smarter
than kids who are supposed to be highly intelligent.Shame on you.

]]> By: Nathaniel http://www.chimericfire.com/blog/rant/the-add-excuse/comment-page-1/#comment-91 Nathaniel Sun, 28 Oct 2007 04:50:28 +0000 http://www.chimericfire.com/blog/rant/the-add-excuse/#comment-91 Even if you can be diagnosed with ADD, there are ways to deal with it that don't include the doctor or pills. Chances are, you've already found out several ways to "deal" with it on your own. Heck, taking any kind of stimulant will act the same as getting doped up with the amphetamines they call "medication". Caffeine is the perfect stimulant for this. If you've got mild ADD, just a piece of chocolate or Tea may work well enough for you. Obviously, if coffee makes you go to sleep, that's not a good idea. Now, I'm not a doctor, but then again, my advice on ADD won't kill anyone... so I think I'm safe. If you find that you cannot focus, eat some chocolate or better yet, drink some tea. If you've got ADD or not, it will help. Even if you can be diagnosed with ADD, there are ways to deal with it that don’t include the doctor or pills. Chances are, you’ve already found out several ways to “deal” with it on your own. Heck, taking any kind of stimulant will act the same as getting doped up with the amphetamines they call “medication”. Caffeine is the perfect stimulant for this. If you’ve got mild ADD, just a piece of chocolate or Tea may work well enough for you. Obviously, if coffee makes you go to sleep, that’s not a good idea.

Now, I’m not a doctor, but then again, my advice on ADD won’t kill anyone… so I think I’m safe.

If you find that you cannot focus, eat some chocolate or better yet, drink some tea. If you’ve got ADD or not, it will help.

]]> By: Sharon http://www.chimericfire.com/blog/rant/the-add-excuse/comment-page-1/#comment-86 Sharon Sat, 27 Oct 2007 18:19:26 +0000 http://www.chimericfire.com/blog/rant/the-add-excuse/#comment-86 Nathaniel, I've always wondered why I want to go to sleep after I've had my coffee. And I used to tell my friends that coffee makes me sleep.... Maybe I should get myself checked out. Nathaniel, I’ve always wondered why I want to go to sleep after I’ve had my coffee.

And I used to tell my friends that coffee makes me sleep….

Maybe I should get myself checked out.

]]>