FARK.com: (1409678) Doctors find karate may help ADHD sufferers if they can stick with it. "Do you want Ritalin?"

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(Some Guy)		Doctors find karate may help ADHD sufferers if they can stick with it. "Do you want Ritalin?" (zwire.com)		170
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ApostateAbe		2005-03-20 07:10:38 PM

I have seen the potency that martial arts training has on the minds of otherwise hyperactive kids. It works like nothing else.

djemonk		2005-03-20 07:25:24 PM

I have seen the potency that martial arts training has on the minds of otherwise hyperactive kids. It works like nothing else.

So does sugar.

palad		2005-03-20 10:51:05 PM

Your borderline-retarded 8-year old wants karate lessons.

2DShooter		2005-03-20 11:34:29 PM

That's "Litarin" to the martial-arts community...

shoeeater		2005-03-20 11:36:34 PM

First we have corporate exploited holidays....now a disease made-up by drug manufacturers. Yea, sometimes we all have trouble focusing. Deal with it.

Felgraf		2005-03-20 11:37:17 PM

Considering ADD and ADHD is, as far as I can understand from having lived with it for 19 years, like having the mind of a hunter-gatherer in a society of farmers? (Or like being a cougar in a cage with rabbits paraded in front of you?)

NO SHIAT, SHERLOCK!

RobDude		2005-03-20 11:38:19 PM

I have a funny feeling that you could replace 'karate' with any other structured physical activity that holds it's participants responsible for their own actions and it'd still help.

"But Master Sensei - I can't sit still while we meditate - my mommy says I have ADH "

DeanMoriarty		2005-03-20 11:39:38 PM

I had ADD and took TaeKwonDo and found it to be a very enriching hey look over there it's a poodle.

Weasel3322		2005-03-20 11:39:53 PM

WWII online works fine for me, screw karate

Obscure		2005-03-20 11:41:43 PM

Jerking off compulsively has cured my ADD for sure.

jgrynspan		2005-03-20 11:42:13 PM

I took ritalin for 10 years.

I want those 10 years back.

skinink		2005-03-20 11:42:34 PM

Every ADHD person was kung-fu fighting, their attention span lasted as long as lightning !

"Who's the Master ?"

"Sho' ... oooh look, a butterfly !"

virtualsniper		2005-03-20 11:43:00 PM

Karate? Why not, it's still better that designing a sup-up orange supra!

/ashame of owning the dvd

LincolnLogolas		2005-03-20 11:43:03 PM

RobDude

I have a funny feeling that you could replace 'karate' with any other structured physical activity that holds it's participants responsible for their own actions and it'd still help.

As does any classical musical instruction, with an old ornery German woman with a bad temper doing the teaching. "Nein! Nein! Zat voss a b-flat! You vill now play unt C for tventy minutes!"

Cured me of my ADHD right quick.

CreubusMagnus		2005-03-20 11:45:34 PM

The last thing some kid bouncing off the wall needs is to learn how to kick someones ass.

"Oh hey wow look what I can do look what I can do!"
*smashes crotch*

...And that is why I can't have chilluns

joelawyer		2005-03-20 11:46:00 PM

Well, considering that ADHD is a bullshiat disease, made up to justify poor parenting and slovenly behavior of children.

Now those drug addled losers are growing up and being diagnosed with Adult ADHD.

Please. You were speed freaks then, and you still are.

Briefcase Nuke		2005-03-20 11:46:24 PM

Every year, about two or three kids (between 8-12 years old) come in to the do jang (taekwondo) that have been "diagnosed" with ADHD, .......three months into it, no more attention deficit. Why? In taekwondo, if you don't pay attention, you get hurt.

I explained this to my ex-wife, a nurse, and she still doesn't believe me. "Alex, there are legitimate reasons blah blah blah white noise". Whatever.

/divorced

ancient_chinese_secret		2005-03-20 11:48:37 PM

rose8199		2005-03-20 11:50:31 PM

joelawyer

You're obviously an idiot troll. Know something about a topic before you post ridiculous comments that make you look stupid.

ADHD is diagnosed, but it is a real disorder.

giraffeattack		2005-03-20 11:51:18 PM

I have bad ADD and take kickboxing. The only thing it helps me do is not get grotesquely obese. Still need heavy duty (doctor prescribed!) stimulants to pass my classes.

rose8199		2005-03-20 11:51:45 PM

I meant over-diagnosed

RobDude		2005-03-20 11:54:53 PM

LincolnLogolas

Ahhhh! Good point.

That brings back bad memorys....I guess my parents wanted me to be some amazing classical pianst.

I wanted to go outside and eat dirt. (I was 8)

Felgraf		2005-03-20 11:55:05 PM

*Sighs* And here come the "ADHD AND ADD DON'T EXIST! THEY'RE JUST EXCUSES! BLAH BLAH BLAH!"

So I suppose I shall try to pre-emptively cut them off.

ADD and ADHD, while overdiagnosed, *do*, infact, exist. I know this, because I have dealt with it for the past 19 years. I know, I know "You don't really have it! You're just searching for excuses!" Hear me out.

I don't use it as an excuse. I don't even use the extra time that my 504 for it grants me. I know I'm gonna have to cope with it when I reach the real world, and I know my boss won't give a shait, so fark, I might as well deal with it now.

But it is real. In the past 19 years of my life, I have realized that the way I process the world is... different from most people's. I'm more aware of my surroundings. More in tune with small, minute chagnes to the ordinary. I can catch things that people miss, notice the deer tracks beneath my feet, or that shiny object in the grass over there.

But this comes at a price. My awareness of my surroundings is due to the fact that I am prettymuch unable to focus on something to the extent that I tune out other stimuli. It is nigh-impossible for me to ignore or not-hear or not-see things out of the corner of my eye, or on the edge of hearing. My ability to hear these things, see these movements, makes me more aware of my surroundings, but, at the same time, it means my attention is spread.

This is not necessarily a 'disability'. In fact, were this a hunter-gatherer society, or were I in a combat situation, ADD and ADHD would be a boon to me, and make it far more easy for me to survive.. because I'm more aware of my general surroundings. But in a farming society, in a classroom, where you *need* to focus your attention, where you *need* to tune out those external stimuli... this is a problem. It is a hinderance, and thus, in some cases, medication is needed.

To be honest, I do not consider my ADD to be a 'disability'. I like it, to be honest. I enjoy being more in tune with what's going on around me, more aware of my surroundings. But I know that it makes it hard for me to concentrate in school, and so, I must medicate. Thankfully, 've found a drug that's not a stimulant. (Good GOD, but I hated ritalin. Felt like there was a gun to my head *forcing* me to pay attention...)

asmodeus224		2005-03-20 11:55:50 PM

ADD and especially adult ADD is mostly crap...a few years ago the flu became a big item...everyone needed flu shots...coincidentally a major pharma company released a flu vaccine...interesting coincidence eh?

Check to see if there just happens to be new drugs to treat ADD/Adult ADD released recently or coming to market int he next few months...i bet coincidentally there will be a correlation.

Part of pharma marketing is to create a scare and then ride in with a drug to save the day...

Baaaaaaah! I haaaaaave ADDD...baaaaaah! I need a pill.....baaaaaah!

FishyFred		2005-03-20 11:57:06 PM

I had ADD and took TaeKwonDo and found it to be a very enriching hey look over there it's a poodle.

DeanMoriarty, I don't know why that cracked me up. Maybe it's because this article is right in my wheelhouse.

I am diagnosed ADHD and Tourettes' Syndrome. I can testify first hand that karate is beneficial to the ADHD child. It is a healthy avenue in which to focus. The constant attention from your sensei will put you on a constructive path...

Look, I'm not a great debater, but I am ADHD and Tourettes' Syndrome, and studying karate for six consecutive years has changed my life.

LincolnLogolas		2005-03-20 11:58:09 PM

They didn't have ADHD back when they let nuns whap kids who weren't paying attention. You LEARNED to pay attention when your knuckles were sore and bloody from getting whacked repeatedly.

Thankfully, as said before, I had an old nazi biatch for a flute instructor who pretty much punished me similarly.

Felgraf		2005-03-20 11:58:14 PM

Looks like I failed to beat some of them to the punch. Ah well.

I would also like to state that I was diagnosed before it became 'popular', and that I went through a shiatload of testing. (Including several months of placeebo testing). As I said, I'm glad to be off the 'speed' drugs (Ritalen, et. all) now that there are some ones on the market that aren't stimulants. ADD is as 'fake' and 'made up' as Chronic Depression and Bi-Polar disorder. I.E., it's not.

And actually, I had some pretty damn good parents. They're probably the reason I lasted as long without medication as I did. Thank you for criticizing them without having ever met them, and spouting your bullshiat.

Asshats.

bbcrackmonkey		2005-03-20 11:58:37 PM

I was one of the most damned hyperactive kids I ever met in my youth. I just literally couldn't stop bouncing off the walls, concentrate on my homework, or stop interrupting class.

Scientists have found that after 1-2 years of taking hardcore stimulants like Adderall that it permanently alters your brain chemistry to make it more like that of a normal human.

Basically if you have very strong case of ADHD, the best option is to take adderall for about 2 years, probably between the ages of 17-18, and then taper off until you only need it for tests, exams, or all-night study sessions.

rose8199		2005-03-20 11:58:52 PM

Not everyone with ADHD is a spaz. That's a stereotype. I have the inattentive type of ADHD and was just diagnosed last year. I graduated in the top 10% of my high school class and I just graduated with an engineering school last year. I was never a behavior problem in school.

Having the type of ADHD that I have is like trying to focus on conversation while 4 people are talking in your face. It affects many more aspects of people's life than a layperson would realize. Medication has made an enormous difference in my life. It's quieted my brain down. I'm much more productive and generally happier.

Anyone who says that "ADHD doesn't exist" should do a little bit of research before making blanket statements like that.

oldebayer		2005-03-20 11:58:58 PM

Why is anyone surprised that a good karate chop or two will get the attention of someone with ADHD?

Umm, what was the question?

asmodeus224		2005-03-20 11:59:05 PM

--Felgraf "(I am) More in tune with small, minute chagnes to the ordinary. I can catch things that people miss, notice the deer tracks beneath my feet, or that shiny object in the grass over there."

So do you consider yourself a 10th level ranger or a minor-Wolverine? Do you heal quickly or do you Commune with Nature at a +2 success rate?

ROFLMAO

fearmymullet		2005-03-20 11:59:24 PM

HEY LOOK, ITS A BIRD!

Misc_Weirdness		2005-03-20 11:59:31 PM

I have ADD you see,
Payin' attention's hard for me,
There's a great big talking tree,
Get away from me, you psychotic chicken!!!!!

/Thank you motivational speakers at Beta Club Conventions.

Felgraf		2005-03-20 11:59:52 PM

LincolnLogolas

And hey! 200 years ago, they didn't have Alzheimers or Cancer, either! Or Quarks or black holes or supernovas!

Oh, no, wait. They still existed, we just didn't know they existed.

(Saying "Well, we didn't have it in BLA BLA BLA" doesn't prove anything. Something can exist without having been discovered.)

virtualsniper		2005-03-21 12:00:29 AM

So did spiderman had ADD? It would explain alot!

Tom-Servo		2005-03-21 12:00:56 AM

"Do you want Ritalin?"

Nope, I want Karate.

Felgraf		2005-03-21 12:01:50 AM

asmodeus224

Oh, ranger, most definately. Two weapon fighting kicks ass.

DeanMoriarty		2005-03-21 12:02:04 AM

I wasn't being a complete twit. I did take TKD, and I do have Adult ADD. It mainly manifests itself in a complete inability to remember things, sometimes moments after i hear them.

lonerancher		2005-03-21 12:02:07 AM

At my school we teach progressive karate and Krav Maga. I have seen amazing changes in kids with ADD and ADHD. I have even had children with Asperger's and varying levels of autism experience improvement in their ability to pay attention and behave appropriately. While I think any structured physical activity could help to some degree, the amount of focus required for training in martial arts seems more intense than what I experienced in traditional sports. I also think that the formalities of etiquette and the strict structure of the martial arts engages the mind in a different manner than traditional sports.
I have to say that being a full-time martial artist is awesome. I may never be rich but I do get to help children and adults to reach their goals everyday and that is an incredible feeling.

Jimbo the Slightly Impressive		2005-03-21 12:02:55 AM

I've tried a couple times to get into martial arts. I tried Chinese kempo and got as far as yellow with tabs. I didn't even last that long in tae-kwon-do. Anyone able to recommend a good martial art? I have long limbs and I'm skinny as hell, if that makes a difference.

LincolnLogolas		2005-03-21 12:03:13 AM

FishyFred

Look, I'm not a great debater, but I am ADHD and Tourettes' Syndrome, and studying karate for six consecutive years has changed my life.

I'll bet you were a hit with your sensei every time you kicked or punched.

"SHIATCOCK!" *punch*
"FARKBASTARD!" *roundhouse kick*

I keed, I keed! Had a friend in highschool with severe Tourettes', yet for some reason the DMV didn't know he had it. Driving with him was fun. He never actually swore randomly as people with that disorder are commonly portrayed as doing. He made funny whistling noises, and would swerve violently while driving.

divad		2005-03-21 12:03:34 AM

got adhd? PAINT THE FENCE! SAND THE FLOOR! CATCH FRY WITH CHOP STICK!

Jimbo the Slightly Impressive		2005-03-21 12:03:45 AM

And, as I appropriately forgot to mention in my above post, I didn't last in kempo or TKD due to ADHD.

Felgraf		2005-03-21 12:03:51 AM

rose8199
Ah, yes, the "God damnit brain, SHUT UP! " moments...

PerroLoco		2005-03-21 12:04:09 AM

You mean teaching hyperactive children some DISCIPLINE actually solves the behavioral disorders??

No shiat, Sherlock.

giraffeattack		2005-03-21 12:05:15 AM

ADD is like always being off in your own world or train of thought that is completely irrelevant to whatever you're supposed to be thinking about. Anyway, believe it exists or not, without my meds I would not have been able to even get into college ( i tried stopping them in hs and managed to barely pull a C average), with them I managed to pull off a physics degree. (and i was diagnosed in first grade - i couldn't even stay in my seat!!)

Jimbo the Slightly Impressive		2005-03-21 12:05:29 AM

PerroLoco
It doesn't solve the problem, it helps with the problem. It doesn't fix it, it just makes it easier to handle.

virtualsniper		2005-03-21 12:05:33 AM

2005-03-21 12:04:09 AM PerroLoco

You mean teaching hyperactive children some DISCIPLINE actually solves the behavioral disorders??

No shiat, Sherlock.

Lol! Best post ever.

asmodeus224		2005-03-21 12:05:35 AM

--Felgraf "Oh, ranger, most definately. Two weapon fighting kicks ass."---

ROFLMAO

Rogue classes rocked...Ranger was the bestest of the rogue variations.

/end geekiness
//not saying all ADD is bull----...just a good chunk thanks to scare marketing

bbcrackmonkey		2005-03-21 12:06:47 AM

Think about this for a second, ok? Just bear with me. Humans weren't made to sit in a classroom or office 9 hours a day, reading books and writing theses and compiling code. We evolved as a hunter-gatherer society based mostly on manual labor and craftsmanship up until the industrial revolution and the advent of the modern educational system. Our workplace and schools have become increasingly regimented while our home life has encouraged increasingly shorter attention spans due to television viewership, the internet, cellphones, etc. Corporal punishment has been occuring less and less in our society due to our cultural norms being changed, but I'm not exactly sure what effect physical violence would have on ADHD children other than to isolate them from a trusting bond between their parents.

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