What are your thoughts on ADD/ADHD and people who use medication to treat it?

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Aug 2018 15:58:40 -0400

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2018 4:20 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Aug 2018 16:20:11 -0400

It’s just like any other illness. I would counter with asking someone what their thoughts were on diabetes, depression, or any other disorder/illness

Response by MSgt Steve Sweeney made Aug 17 at 2018 5:38 PM

MSgt Steve Sweeney — Fri, 17 Aug 2018 17:38:14 -0400

Great question. I put a lot of thought into this relative to my son as my wife, at the time, was pushing for medication pretty hard and I didn't want to do better parenting through chemistry... so I read up on it (a great book on the subject - Driven to Distraction, linked below). Anyway, I came away with a different attitude. No one has problems with people wearing glasses to correct vision, so why is there such a stigma attached to correcting brain chemistry? That was the conclusion in a nutshell. Learning about my son I ended up learning a lot about me and could see how I exhibited a lot of the same ADD type symptoms.

Learning about ADD, I even formed a theory... stick with me. People with ADD generally do not like sudden transitions unless expected, prefer routine, and gravitate toward regimented activities and lifestyles.... like the military with all the schedules and checklists and the high value of knowing what people are doing, and why, at any given time. They treat ADD with stimulants, and you can see the vast majority of the people in the military either smoking or dipping (nicotine - stimulant) or drinking coffee or Mt. Dew by the gallon... or Ripped Fuel and Red Bull if you prefer (caffeine - stimulant). From observation of myself and the people I served with, I came to the loose conclusion that roughly 85% of people in the military have undiagnosed ADD, especially in the enlisted ranks, and are self medicating. I don't have any hard data to back that up, that is just a SWAG estimate from my observation and experience.

In any event, I refer you back to my comment on glasses and how taking medication to treat ADD is analogous.

https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=driven+to+distraction+add&tag=googhydr-20&index=stripbooks&hvadid= [login to see] 95&hvpos=1t1&hvnetw=g&hvrand= [login to see] 935671386&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9008537&hvtargid=kwd [login to see] 69&ref=pd_sl_92edq0ywjs_b_p38

Amazon.com: driven to distraction add: Books

Online shopping from a great selection at Books Store.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Aug 17 at 2018 9:42 PM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Fri, 17 Aug 2018 21:42:37 -0400

I have seen the proper medications work miracles in some children with true ADD/ADHD. Others, I have seen it used as a means for lazy parents to control an otherwise healthy, yet energetic child. Used properly, I see great benefit. I also do not see why these individuals should not be allowed to serve in uniform ( MSgt Steve Sweeney does a fantastic job of explaining why this should be so).

Response by SSG Eddye Royal made Aug 17 at 2018 10:20 PM

SSG Eddye Royal — Fri, 17 Aug 2018 22:20:44 -0400

SSGT Ethan Mace, over the years, I’ve seen people and their kids with these issues find out later that they where just faster than the class. I would get a few option, before playing a youth under ten years of age on these, because the body is still changing. Age group 11 through 15 year old can the parents how the medications are affecting them, or maybe the doctor a combination medication and change of diet and family outreach can help.