The Garden of Education

Is ADD Real? 
Some people have argued that there is no such thing as ADD.  Upon reading their arguments I have found that what most of them are actually saying is that ADD is not a singular "disease", but rather a collection of behaviors or "symptoms" caused by a wide range of problems. So, to some extent, it's really a matter of semantics. They compare a diagnosis of ADD to that of a diagnosis of "fever."  Imagine going to the doctor with a temperature and being told you have been diagnosed with a disease called "Fever," and that all you can do is take aspirin to lower it.  You might question the wisdom of such a simplistic approach and wonder why the doctor doesn't look for the CAUSE of the fever. Doctors rarely look for the cause of ADD behaviors. Instead, they assume such behaviors are due to some mysterious brain defect that for some odd reason a huge number of people seem to have. 
Opponents of this simplistic approach argue that the concept of ADD as a singular and discreet disease is a complete fabrication.  They do NOT argue that ADD behaviors are simply caused by lack of discipline or are figments of people's imagination. They believe people should be seen as individuals, and their specific problems treated as symptoms.  The actual "condition" causing the behavior could range from brain damage to giftedness to allergies, and "treatment" would similarly range from stimulant medication to alternative education to allergy shots, depending on the root of problem.
How is ADD Diagnosed?
ADD should be diagnosed by a psychologist or psychiatrist who is knowledgeable about ADD as well as giftedness and creativity.  Avoid diagnosis by a pediatrician, since pediatricians as a group are far more likely to simply prescribe medications without properly assessing the child.  Psychiatrists and neurologists are far more likely to prescribe medications before acquiring a total picture of the patient.
Adults, especially those with the non-hyperactive form of ADD, may have trouble finding a practitioner knowledgeable in ADD, since until recently ADD was considered a childhood condition.   Women with ADD are often told they suffer from depression and are prescribed antidepressants which do not work. 
Ask the practitioner what his or her ADD assessment entails.  A good assessment typically runs several hours and will include tests for IQ and creativity.  Avoid anyone who simply asks a few question and then prescribes medication to "see what happens."  Most people do better and feel better on stimulants, even those without ADD, so this is a very bad approach for a professional to follow.  For additional information and a  checklist for children see my page called Children: Diagnosis, "Treatment" and Alternatives.