The problem is the testing.
If you have a fundamental understanding of ADD, you can figure out how to answer a questionnaire to obtain the diagnosis. I use more complex testing so that the youth especially would not be able to manipulate the document.
You probably don't actually have ADD, or you'd realize a revelation on the medication. For those patients whose pathology blocks their ability to read, calculate, organize thoughts and tasks, and solve complex problems the medication represents the key that unlocks doors to success that had otherwise been closed. Then the self esteem that follows allows a student to set their goals high and believe that they can achieve anything, as opposed to thinking that they just weren't smart enough.
The irregular levrels of naturally occurring endogenous adrenergics that characterize ADD/ADHD may normalize into adulthood, but some don't. I have dozens of patients in my practice of all ages, some in their sixties. They do not experience the tolerance that you describe over several years; that's likely to only be significant in non-ADD users.
I agree that the root of the problem is the testing. We lead busy lives, with dual income families, kids and other obligations. It is easy to lose focus. The testing for the most part is too subjective and many doctors are too quick to pass on a diagnosis. In part I believe because people want answers to thier problems and doing something is better than nothing.
As far as kids are concerned I am certain there are some that fit the criteria for medication but again it is being over prescribed. People pump McDonald's and Coke into thier kids and then wonder why they are so hyper and unfocused. The food dyes, the lack of healthy bacteria and all of the other stuff we feed our kids has a significant effect on thier behavior. As well as easily accessible and constant over stimulation from xbox, to cell phones.
For the kids that are getting presribed these meds I hope thier doctors are starting with the least aggressive route possible and educating the parents first. My daughter is borderline and Ive seen the results from making lifestyle changes. I do believe levels can be corrected by committing to those changes. However, we live in a society that would rather take a statin and hyptn meds then eat well and exercise.
In any case I have zero idea if the athletes in the NFL that have scripts legitimately need them. Studying play books and tape isnt always easy but that doesn't necessarily mean you need medication.
I do still stand by the drugs being classified as performance enhancing due to my experience and that of others I know. But hats off to you for being one of the good ones that doesnt run to your prescription pad the first time someone sneezes. We need doctors like that, there arent enough.
