14th November 2007
I don't intend to come off as an *******, but:
I've never considered ADD to be a real 'illness.' To me it always seemed to be a bunch of bad habits or the result of bad parenting (sorry!). Kids with ADD are spoiled and have too much freedom. I've traveled to Asia and other places where kids exercise on a regular basis, have chores and get beat for not maturing on time. These kids grow up with good habits. ADD does exist, but it's extremely rare and I believe it to be primarily associated with head trauma.
If somebody shows you the brain scan of a child with ADD compared to a child without it and claims that they are different, "proof" that the child with ADD must have a biological problem, this is false. The brain is malleable. If I was sad because my dog died, the MRI scan wouldn't look the same as it does when I am happy or content.
I love drugs, and I'm by no means against CBT or other forms of therapy, but I urge you against giving your 3 year olds amphetamine. If anything, *this* alone will result in permanent ADD because the brain will become impaired by the drugs at a crucial stage.
I've gotten over it using hard work and persistence. It takes a long time to undo years of bad habits. I was spoiled as a child, and when I was on my own, I realized that I couldn't survive without either 1) taking meds or 2) working my *** off to fix the problem. I chose 2. I would still like meds because they give you an advantage (the healthiest person will be 100x more productive on ADD medication.), but it doesn't mean I really believe the label to be a biological/permanent illness.
Sort of like getting over anxiety, "force" yourself to sit still. In the beginning I was unable to do this, so I got enraged and told my sibling to duck tape me to my weight-lifting bench and keep me alone in the dark for 48 hours. I told her to provide water and check up on me every few hours.. Imagine that for somebody with ADD who couldn't even sit for 5 seconds without moving his feet? It was horrible, but after half the time was up I began confronting my sensations and urges and after being aware of them, was able to let them go and "slow down" my mind by focusing on my breath instead of the urge to break free or move.
I suggest researching "isolation tanks" too.
I've never considered ADD to be a real 'illness.' To me it always seemed to be a bunch of bad habits or the result of bad parenting (sorry!). Kids with ADD are spoiled and have too much freedom. I've traveled to Asia and other places where kids exercise on a regular basis, have chores and get beat for not maturing on time. These kids grow up with good habits. ADD does exist, but it's extremely rare and I believe it to be primarily associated with head trauma.
If somebody shows you the brain scan of a child with ADD compared to a child without it and claims that they are different, "proof" that the child with ADD must have a biological problem, this is false. The brain is malleable. If I was sad because my dog died, the MRI scan wouldn't look the same as it does when I am happy or content.
I love drugs, and I'm by no means against CBT or other forms of therapy, but I urge you against giving your 3 year olds amphetamine. If anything, *this* alone will result in permanent ADD because the brain will become impaired by the drugs at a crucial stage.
I've gotten over it using hard work and persistence. It takes a long time to undo years of bad habits. I was spoiled as a child, and when I was on my own, I realized that I couldn't survive without either 1) taking meds or 2) working my *** off to fix the problem. I chose 2. I would still like meds because they give you an advantage (the healthiest person will be 100x more productive on ADD medication.), but it doesn't mean I really believe the label to be a biological/permanent illness.
Sort of like getting over anxiety, "force" yourself to sit still. In the beginning I was unable to do this, so I got enraged and told my sibling to duck tape me to my weight-lifting bench and keep me alone in the dark for 48 hours. I told her to provide water and check up on me every few hours.. Imagine that for somebody with ADD who couldn't even sit for 5 seconds without moving his feet? It was horrible, but after half the time was up I began confronting my sensations and urges and after being aware of them, was able to let them go and "slow down" my mind by focusing on my breath instead of the urge to break free or move.
I suggest researching "isolation tanks" too.