Moms Talk: ADHD or Just an Over-Active Child?

Admitting your child has a problem is never easy for a parent.

This is often true for parents with kids who are diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Some parents may believe that their children are just going through a stage and are just over active.

Other parents believe we live in an over-medicated society and their peers are too quick to "drug" their children rather than face any issues head on through communication.

Katherin Ellison was one of those parents. In an article for Parentdish.com, she wrote he own son also had been diagnosed with ADHD, at age 9.

By his 12th birthday, her family life was a nightmare. He was failing at school and flailing angrily at home, taking his enormous frustrations out on his younger brother, his father and Ellison. He'd lost friends and a great deal of his former self-esteem.

At one point, her son had threatened her, and then himself, with a butcher knife. Her uncle, a child psychiatrist, convinced her that medication was the best option for her son.

This is an extreme case. However, it brought up some valid points. Are we over-medicating our children? Is ADHD now just being properly diagnosed? What do you think?

Patch would appreciate your feedback on this subject.