Attention Deficit Disorder
Another diagnosis with some controversy is that of Attention Deficit Disorder. There are those who say this diagnosis is over used also. Like anything there are probably people that suffer from the ability to stay focused when doing certain tasks. At any rate the diagnosis does exist and troubled teens are being medicated for it. This diagnosis like that of Oppositional Defiant Disorder is a dangerous thing for a teen to know that he has been diagnosed with. Like the ODD diagnosis this can give a free pass to negative behavior in school. It can also provide a standing excuse for a teen that does not want to do his school work.
Parents of teens that have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder have told us that their child is diagnosed with ADD, but they can stay focused on intricate video games of their choice. It would seem that if a child was indeed suffering from the ability to stay focused he would not be able to stay focused doing anything. The diagnosis does not seem legitimate if symptoms only happen randomly, and at times convenient to the teen being able to skip out of work that is being requested.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder is a relatively new diagnosis in the last decade. Some people believe that the diagnosis is not real. Dr.'s will prescribe medications for a child that is diagnoses with the disorder. Sometimes like with any medication the cure is worse than the disease. The basis of Oppositional Defiant Disorder is that a child is unable to behave properly, that it is an actual disorder. This disorder gives the troubled teen an excuse for misbehaving. It seems that once the diagnosis is given the negative behavior increases, and any type of control by the parent is abandoned. There may be legitimate cases of disorders that make it difficult for a child to do what he or she is supposed to but some people believe that this disorder for the most part is not legitimate.
Once the troubled teen has the diagnosis of Oppositional Defiant Disorder they can get away with just about anything they do wrong. It does not take long for them to use this new tool. If they do something wrong and are called into the Principals office they inform him of their diagnosis and are able to minimize the consequences of their actions.
ADHD
Like its sister diagnosis ADD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD is a relatively new diagnosis on the scene today. This is also viewed by some people in a negative light. It is close to the same diagnosis as ADD but there is an additional component of hyperactivity. Loosely translated this means that the child not only suffers from the ability to stay focused by has trouble sitting still also. Like the diagnosis of ADD many children can stay focused and sit still if they are demanded to. They can also stay focused if they have something that they are interested in. When a troubled teen receives the ADHD diagnosis he has a free pass that will allow him to move around when he is supposed to be sitting still, and allow him to do poorly in school as he is unable to stay on task. This diagnosis is overused and controversial in some circles. In some cases the medication prescribed helps with the symptoms but may introduce a new set of problems for the teen to deal with.