As I sit here today watching the freaking snow come down I’m a little irked because I have a few people in my life who’ve labeled me a ‘neat freak’.  I’ve never been too fond of that negative terminology or the term OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) but I suppose in the end it’s probably true to a degree.  Looking through my family tree for any proof of a ‘neat’ gene was no help at all. Believe me there is no indication whatsoever that anyone in my family was ever ‘neat’ at the level I seem to be.  I have to admit that my nephew in Texas shows some minor  indicators but not near the level I’ve reached.

These days it seems this condition is all the rage but they (the experts) have come up with a number of new names for what they deem a terrible affliction, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) immediately comes to mind, and OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder).

Just another excuse to bang the prescription drug drum.  More drugs, take more drugs, buy more drugs, and everything will be just fine. Take the small children who may act up slightly in school, diagnose them with a myriad of alphabet diseases, and immediately put them onto some sort of drug regimen.  The teachers apparently need their classes to be totally calm and controllable  or they just can’t get the job done.    Everyone knows its always much easier to control a room full of zombies than a bunch of excited children.
I agree there are some children and adults who are at the extreme end of hyperactivity and may need some sort of medication to calm them but not at the levels we’re currently seeing.

I feel for those people and can’t begin to imagine trying to live a normal life if my ‘neat freak’ affliction were twice as bad as it is.  Unfortunately thousands of young children are automatically labeled with OCD, ADD, or ADHD which will then follow them for the rest of their lives.  It not only colors how other people see them but how they see themselves.  It actually in some cases can give them an excuse for continued bad behavior.  "I’m OCD, it’s not my fault, my parents forgot to give me my pills this morning."

My sympathies go out to those people suffering with severe cases of this affliction.  My sympathies also go out to the thousands of young children who are being medicated unnecessarily in order to maintain some sort of control in the schools.  Being a smart ass with a wise mouth doesn’t make you ADD, ADHD, OCD, or anything else.  It just makes you a smart ass with a big mouth who should not be considered a candidate for drugging.

I’m sure that some of you will be pissed off and disagree with me completely.  That’s your prerogative but it won’t change in any way what I think or feel on the subject.  For those of you who want to rant and rave at me, feel free.