Evidence That ADHD Is a Genetic Disorder • Hacker News Board

Re: Evidence That ADHD Is a Genetic Disorder

#71

Post by mattdeboard » Fri, Aug 12, 2011, 10:21 PM UTC

mcantor wrote: post #60

mattdeboard wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I literally double-checked to see if this was copy/pasted from an old post of mine. Getting treatment for ADHD changed my life for the better immediately and dramatically, as well. And I've even used the, "It's like putting on glasses for the first time" metaphor.

Glad to know my post resonated with someone! I still struggle almost daily with ADD-related complications, but getting on the treatment bandwagon was a huge step forward.

Still struggling? That's kind of depressing. Sorry, hope it gets better.

Re: Evidence That ADHD Is a Genetic Disorder

#72

Post by danneu » Fri, Aug 12, 2011, 11:48 PM UTC

mcantor wrote: post #35

I'm 26, and I was diagnosed with ADD last year, at the suggestion of my dad, who was not diagnosed until his 40's. It took me almost a year to start actively researching ADD, because I grew up in an upper-middle-class community where it was primarily over-diagnosed in unmotivated kids whose parents were convinced that brain dysfunction was the only thing that could possibly keep their children from being A students.…

Same story. My greatest passions had been sore areas of chronic evasion and it frustrated me immensely. Amphetamine changed my life.

Re: Evidence That ADHD Is a Genetic Disorder

#73

Post by jason25 » Sat, Aug 13, 2011, 12:50 AM UTC

This is a debate about a pseudoscientific norm set by a bunch of "experts" who evidently dislike children and have convinced millions of parents their children are sick because they fidget in class.

Re: Evidence That ADHD Is a Genetic Disorder

#74

Post by antimora » Sat, Aug 13, 2011, 1:34 AM UTC

vidar wrote: post #12

Rexatron wrote: post #8

As a child of 8 years old, I was given 120MG of Ritalin per day. I rarely slept the first 2 years. If I did it was around 6am for an hour or so. Then I had to take my morning dose for school. They also wanted me to take a pill to sleep, which felt so horrible I cannot even explain it. I was a zombie in the morning if I took it, then onto the morning ritalin dose. I would just do pushups in my room until 3am some nigh…

120mg as a kid, damn thats a lot. I took 90 mg as an adult and that was the absolute maximum allowed (in Iceland). It did me a lot of good but thankfully I am off them now and doing pretty well, meditation is a great substitute.

Once I heard on the NPR radio that children metabolizes stimulus based drug (for ADD) differently than adults. Adults experience euphoria feeling.

Re: Evidence That ADHD Is a Genetic Disorder

#75

Post by antimora » Sat, Aug 13, 2011, 1:45 AM UTC

randall wrote: post #68

mcantor wrote: post #66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't think "disorder" and "collection of personality traits" are mutually exclusive terms.

I guess to be more specific: I don't think this should be treated as a medical condition. I'm in the Temple Grandin camp of neurodiversity. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neurodiversity

I agree with you. I don't think just because one's trait isn't optimal to the modern environment it should be as a mental disorder and try fixing by medication.

Re: Evidence That ADHD Is a Genetic Disorder

#76

Post by [deleted] » Sun, Aug 14, 2011, 3:18 AM UTC

HeyLaughingBoy wrote: post #69

felipemnoa wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Nahhh. I think it has more to do with people being dead poor in their own countries and is why they immigrated to America (Occam's Razor), better opportunities. It is still the reason why people come to America today. Also, too many people want to use disorders as an excuse for their lack of success. "See, is not me, I'm actually pretty smart, is this damn disorder that is holding me back. Not my fault."

The overwhelming majority of "dead poor" people still wouldn't leave their home country. Most people have very, very strong ties to friends, family and familiarity and have great difficulty with the concept of uprooting thier life, no matter how bad, in such a manner.

[deleted]

Re: Evidence That ADHD Is a Genetic Disorder

#77

Post by deno » Thu, Aug 18, 2011, 10:50 AM UTC

lhnz wrote: post #63

mcantor wrote: post #35

I'm 26, and I was diagnosed with ADD last year, at the suggestion of my dad, who was not diagnosed until his 40's. It took me almost a year to start actively researching ADD, because I grew up in an upper-middle-class community where it was primarily over-diagnosed in unmotivated kids whose parents were convinced that brain dysfunction was the only thing that could possibly keep their children from being A students.…

You said you got diagnosed on advice from your Dad, what exactly should somebody look for before they go to a doctor and get diagnosed? Are there any sure signs? How does somebody know that they're not just lazy or have a short-attention span.

Check out the virtual doctor at totallyadd.com[1]. They have also a very informative PBS documentary.

[1] http://totallyadd.com/virtual-doctor