Over-diagnosed
There are some folks with serious and not so serious mental health issues. A lot of these seem over-diagnosed. But we’re working on that: Half of Us Are Mentally Ill (and the Other Half Are Undiagnosed).
In a lot of cases, a kid doesn’t really have ADHD or any other disease. They’re often just lacking in the amount of discipline and accountability at home.
June 14th, 2011 at 9:32 am
In before the you just don’t understand crowd.
June 14th, 2011 at 9:41 am
My belief is that the psychiatrists who think that they are *normal*, and that everyone else must have a mental problem, are the ones with the mental illness.
June 14th, 2011 at 10:12 am
When the inmates are running the asylum……..
June 14th, 2011 at 10:17 am
No, no, no, NO! They DO have ADHD.
Otherwise, the free money dries up!
June 14th, 2011 at 10:34 am
QFT.
I don’t have Asperger’s Syndrome and Social Anxiety Disorder, I’m just an antisocial introvert. Now leave me alone and get off my lawn.
June 14th, 2011 at 10:54 am
The rate of diagnoses has leveled off since about 2000 and that by the age of 18, 1/5 kids is diagnosed with a clinical problem, with 1/10 requiring therapy. Which is -exactly- the same as adults.
But whatever.
June 14th, 2011 at 11:29 am
There’s an interesting take on this debate here (last 3 paragraphs).
June 14th, 2011 at 11:43 am
That having been said, one of these days I really need to write up my “Omega-3 saved my …” post.
June 14th, 2011 at 11:44 am
During the last years of the Old Soviet Evil Empire (not to be confused with the New Evil Russian Empire under Tzar Putin), Political Dissidents were Diagnosed by the State as “Mentally Ill”, then sent to the Gulag. After all, if one is Dissatisfied with the Gooberment, one must be Crazy.
‘Those who fail to remember History….”
June 14th, 2011 at 12:02 pm
Max Slowik,
You get off my lawn, too.
June 14th, 2011 at 12:49 pm
DSM-IV life, yo!
June 14th, 2011 at 4:47 pm
I’m perfectly sane, and so am I.
June 14th, 2011 at 4:55 pm
Some ADD and ADHD cases are really undiagnosed Chronic Hickory Deficiency.
June 14th, 2011 at 5:44 pm
“Chronic hickory deficiency” has to be one of the great memorable quotes. (I always found that 1/4″ plywood worked best.)
June 14th, 2011 at 6:23 pm
Stan stole my line!
June 15th, 2011 at 12:21 am
As an elementary school teacher, I’ve identified a disease, observed its symptoms, created a diagnostic criteria, and named it myself. The disease is called NBS (Never Been Spanked). Application of treatment causes near-instant reversal of symptoms in children under the age of 10. Often a single treatment works, but occasionally it may take several treatments the second symptoms manifest.
June 15th, 2011 at 4:30 pm
I woik wit da yoots quite a bit. I’ve yet to find a medicated, psychologized ADHD victim who isn’t just a poor mad dreamer like myself at that age. My favorite problem child is on two, three drugs, has a “secret symbol” trigger, is in a special class at school, and is smart as a whip, a natural-born storyteller, only runs off on tangents about the subject at hand, and bullshits quite well, a high compliment from me. Dad’s a fed, and Mom’s rill purty. He’s going to be a politician, I’m sure of it.
Every one of these kids learns fast, remembers well, and can apply new knowledge above the average. What is required to draw that out is close personal attention, reminders, coaching, and a sympathetic ear — in other words, what we’re paying through the nose for in The Establishment, and not getting. The teachers, they are overworked. Can’t manage it.