ADHD is not a clear cut diagnosis that can truly or easily be diagnosed. For the most part, we have ideas. And in fact...that's what a diagnosis really should be, and actually once was.
Once upon a time, a diagnosis was simply a better way for healthcare and mental healthcare professionals to communicate with one another about a cluster of symptoms or behaviors.
Instead of running down a list of behaviors, professionals could speak about them, in short, by using a diagnostic category. Then one day, a group of people found the DSM-IV, the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, and started incorporating the symptoms as rules and not guidelines.
Suddenly, these "categories" began to stick and were being used to determine treatment, to classify people, to label people, and to determine certain criteria in life.
It's really too bad...
Labels are dangerous. Categorizing people is dangerous.
Unfortunately, the worst part is, particularly with children and adolescents, the lines of distinction are even less clear.
Behaviors in children and adolescents can easily be misunderstood, misinterpreted, mislabeled, and possibly even lead to a poor diagnosis. Circumstances have reached a point where everybody has an opinion, even if that opinion is totally based on popular culture. We live in a society where people throw around labels without any care, concern, or realization about the impact these labels can have.
I would like to ask you:
What if your child really did not have ADHD? What if the professionals, be it physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, teachers, and counselors were all wrong? What if your child was prescribed medication and really didn't need it? What if your child just needed some extra attention or guidance?
Can it really be that simple?
In some cases, yes!
Now, I feel obligated to caution you here as well.
ADHD can be, and is very real in many circumstances. However, as a parent, I want you to be as informed as possible.
I want you to think about what else might be contributing to or responsible for your child's actions, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings.
In children and adolescents, behaviors that appear to be abnormal or out of context, but are perfectly expected, can often times be mistaken for ADHD.
To learn more about the truth behind ADHD, please visit http://www.thetruthbehindadhd.com.
You are also invited to ask your most urgent questions about ADHD, and hear real answers that will make a difference for you, your family, and your child.
Here in New England, today is the first day of classes for many kids across the region. A crisp breeze is in the air, children are at the bus stop dressed up with new shoes and new haircuts, and
ADHD has quickly become a mainstream term that people toss around and use as a label, even when there is no reason for it.
Problem 1: Not learning more
ADHD is a complex medical condition. There are many different opinions
Private practice therapists often schedule appointments with precision.
Therapists stagger their schedules and set their days in order to maximize the time available to see patients, make and return phone calls, take notes, prepare billing, and take care of various
Q: "Should I go into private practice for myself or should I get a job first?"
Excellent question!
But before answering it, there are some very important things to consider:
1. What type of position are you in financially to
Private practice therapists for one reason or another have yet to largely embrace the power and abilities that website can provide.
Reason #1 - Visibility
People can find you. More and more people are turning to the Internet first.