Why is there such a stigma attached to having ADHD?!


Question:

Why is there such a stigma attached to having ADHD?

My child a 14 yr old female was diagnosed with ADHD 3 months ago.As a non believer in this illness I have to admit that the results I've seen my child achieve with medication in such a short space of time has been amazing.In two days she has achieved 4 A's in G.C.S.E test papers in science and has been entered into a higher tier even though she is still two years off of sitting her G.C.S.E's.She has also ran for her county last week,all of which would have been impossible for her to do last year due to her often violent and anti social behaviour.I hope this gives hope to all parents who are, or were in my situation of deciding to medicate their child.And to all those who think medicating your child is the easy way out thank you for adding to the stigma of bad parenting.

Additional Details

3 weeks ago
So Fisherman,if you had a mental illness,you would refuse to take or even think about medication?It's people like you that made me wait nine years to have my child asessed mainly as she didn't display the typical female attributes of ADHD.My child has had problems from day one of nursery school with hyperkentic symptoms etc,she also has had every type of anger managment possible.bearing in mind she has siblings all of which display no symptoms what so ever what would have been your answer in relation to dealing with this situation?

3 weeks ago
wheres my shovel...If my child was just hyperactive there wouldn't have been a problem.I like the fact my child is bouncy and full of energy,hense being in two minds about medication.The fact is,she was unable to control her actions(something I found very hard to understand as she is a very intelligent child)She displayed very violent behaviour mainly in self defense but nether the less this was causing great problems at school including exclusions and her losing countless friends because of her behaviour.If this was the case now,how on earth was she going to be able to hold down a full time job or even complete her education?
I was reciving phonecalls on a daily basis from her school (an Academy school)about her behaviour since medication started I have been told by one senior member of staff who is totally unaware that she is on medication that she has never seen a child turn it around in such a profound way in her 30 years of teaching and in such a short period of time!


Answers:

Being that mental health issues are a major passion for me being a survivor as well, I am so glad that your daughter is doing well. To answer your question, it is unfortunate that there is such a stigma attached to mental illness and not just ADHD. The stigma exists because of bad press coverage over those who stop taking their medication and go on a rampage and not on those who have been on medication and therapy and recovered, such as your daughter and I - and even my girlfriend, who has been successfully treated for depression.

The key to getting rid of that stigma is to be ones own best advocate. Nothing will shatter the stigma of mental health more than someone such as myself who has completely recovered from mental illness by a mixture of medication and therapy. I encourage both you and your daughter to help others in the mental health section of Yahoo! Answers and best of luck to you both.




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