ever heard of this?

[Big D]

And I consider myself to be quite understanding in most circumstances. Its when we fall into the realm of "victim" that I get annoyed. Did I ever say "I've dealt with kids who supposedly have Aspurger's Syndrome but its really just that they're parents suck and its all bull!" No, I said that the kids still act up but I can deal with them fine without medicating them, which, from my experiences, completely changes who they are which really, really upsets me.

I understand; sorry if my post seemed unnecessarily heated. I've got the greatest of respect for people in therapeutic/caregiving jobs; I know you're not callous and heartless. Thus why I disagree with Dr Unne's post. It was just kind of a shock to see you say something that was *apparently* blaming people with genetic disorders for being the way they are.

A very large percentage of my friends were on some kind of medication, most for "depression." That, in most cases at least, is total bull. They're teenagers! Depression and moodswings comes in right along with the B.O. and extra hair. It was in high school that I realized everyone can get medicated for something. All you have to do is yell out "Poor me!" and you got youself a bottle.

Sounds like medical incompetence and societal apathy are to blame...
However, clinical depression - the really serious stuff - shouldn't be ignored, even in moody teenagers. Being upset and pouty is normal; self-harm or suicidally low resolve and esteem is not normal by anyone's definition of the word. One is 'unhappy', the other is 'depressed'. One is experiencing an emotion; the other a mental illness. Behavioural disorders, I guess, are pretty much the same - a kid might be precocious or stroppy, but that's a far cry from a genuine disorder.
That's the trouble with psychology - it's often a matter of degree or interpretation, without a clear boundary between 'unusual but healthy' and 'actually unhealthy'.

[Shlup]

self-harm or suicidally low resolve and esteem is not normal by anyone's definition of the word.

This is where you and I clearly disagree then, 'cause I think those things, in fairly small doses, are pretty normal for teenagers.

Or maybe I was just a part of the wrong crowd. *shrug*

[Big D]

'Small doses', I'd agree... but when something becomes genuinely debilitating or otherwise harmful, I'd say it crosses the line. But that's just my opinion.

[Shoden]

yeah comapred to other versions mine is minor but i have difficulties writing neatly and keeping cool

it's easier to control when your older but when your a kid you're hyper all the time

[Citizen Bleys]

Unless you have thoughts of organizing a nazi cult, than no.

Oh...!

But wait, I'm stupid and highly sociable, so doesn't that make me the opposite thing? When are they going to come up with a name for that so that I can cry for attention?

[YunaGirl05]

all i know is you just said lots of big words that aren't in my vocbulary

[Clouded Sky]

Wow. Very thoughtful conversation. Just what I've come to expect from my EoFF community. I wholeheartedly agree with Schlup, Abominatrix, and Roogle here.

I genuinely believe that there are people with disorders, and some of the disorders can only be treated with medicine. For these people it's all fine and well. The problem with society today is they have such a perverse vision on who has disorders. The arguement that parents are trying to shirk off responsibilitly has been cited many times. And I mean, think about it. Most parents want the very best things for their child. They think their child is better than everyone else. If the child misbehaves, there is NO WAY it could be the child's fault. It must be some terrible disorder that our son/daughter will have to live with for the rest of his/her life.

Not only is it a very easy way to avoid responsibility onn part of the child and the parents, it is even more so a cry for attention. Look at me! I'm SPECIAL. Look at my kid, he's got a disorder but we put him on drugs and he's all better now. Aren't we just stellar parents?

Another thing to consider here - the doctors doing the diagnosing. If they diagnose a kid with something, the parents will be more inclined to take the kid back for checkups on this disorder - meaning more money for the doctor, or on a higher level, the medical establishment. I know what I'm saying may sound very implausible though, I mean, people wouldn't overexagerate for money, would they? Not in America, right?

Like I said earlier, I believe there are people who genuinely have disorders, and benefit from medication, but the moment everyone in America is a self-taught doctor and can diagnose themselves and others with "imaginary disorders" is the day I begin diagnosing all of you with disorders... all from an online forum.