Adult ADHD Testing and CCW

[Dr. Evil]

I am talking about ADHD specifically. From what I understand it is a particular type neurotransmitter re-uptake deficiency, while it can be compensated for with medication I don't belive it can be dealt with holistically. It is a nuts and bolts problem that requires a nuts and bolts solution. As a child I did the whole diet modification thing, as far as I am concerned its quackery, as far as ADHD is concerned. I am not a doctor, but I have lived with, as my therapist put it, a 9 out of 10 on the severity scale case of ADHD for 42 years now and as I was diagnosed in the early 80s when this disorder was a truly unknown thing in the public eye and poorly understood in the medical world I was hauled off to every quack and crackpot that claimed to have some solution. The diet modification thing seemed especially ridiculous to me. Imagine me as a child, already considered an outcast for having to attend some "special ed." classes now having to be sent along to school with increasingly eclectic lunches and snacks.
Medication was the only thing that any positive effect on my scholastic performance. Now I rely my my routines to cope, I am.not taking medication. I think there would be to many hangups for me to maintain my CDL while having a prescription for Adderall or God knows what else they have these days. What with all the drug tests.

Very tough for you indeed. Yes, I am also referring to ADHD. What ever you label the dis-ease/disorder it boils down to malfunction. Most health problems fall into two categories. Too much or too little. Not into the term "holistic." That term is as specific as, "all natural." As far as diet I am mainly referring to the chemicals, additives, insane amount of sugar, etc. Doesn't have to be eclectic to be healthy for the body. I can just speak from what I've seen with similar issues in the people I have worked with over the years. Not the same but I had a patient a few years ago that had been dealing with 10 years of depression/chemical imbalance (she was in her early 20's) and lost a baby shortly after giving birth. Her grandmother is a patient of mine. Well, losing that baby put her over the edge. She was going to jump off of the Bear Mountain Bridge. Thank G-d her family was able to intervene. She was committed for 2 weeks, was in out patient therapy for 2 weeks and on quite a bit of meds as a result. No changes. She wouldn't leave her house. I was able to work with her and she was able to get off of her meds and start to get her life back on track. Her grandmother also wrote a really nice success story and thanked me for saving her granddaughters life. I am not comparing her issue to what you have been dealing with but I am just mentioning this to say there could be answers if not for complete change, at least for some to significant improvement unless you have resigned yourself to thinking it isn't possible based on your past experiences. Never stop looking I guess is what I am getting at.

 

[libertysnake]

I work with and have worked with people with ADD/ADHD/Spectrum Disorder. Part of what I do in practice is functional/bioenergetic testing. There really is no diagnostic test medically to diagnose these things. They typically relate to chemical imbalances, neurotransmitter imbalances, etc.. While a supplement can change symptoms I am not a big fan of just treating symptoms even with supplements. Getting to the underlying cause or issue is best. Also, not every supplement is a match for every person regardless of how good of a quality it is. I prefer to have the body choose what it needs and doesn't need and yes, there is a way to accomplish this. I don't mean what kind of supplement, I mean the actual brand/version that best should be used for the given situation. Drugs either stimulate or inhibit, they don't heal. Not saying there is never a time and a place for them but they typically teach you how to live with an problem by getting rid of the symptom. Problem is there is a cause that isn't being corrected by said drug. Just like if your smoke alarm was going off in the middle of the night I wouldn't recommend pulling the battery out and going back to sleep. I am also very particular about what I use personally, for my family and in my practice. Many of what people wind up getting is crap, have excipients, fillers, etc. You wind up having expensive piss.

I couldn't agree more. While I haven't dealt with people with ADD or ADHD, I've known several people who were on the high functioning end of the autism spectrum of disorders. I think the term used to be Asperger's Syndrome, but I think it was reclassified some time ago to just be on the spectrum of autism type learning disorders.

It's very interesting to see that as these people had good support around them, they learned to deal with their social issues head on. The ones that made an effort to socialize, no matter how painful their mistakes were, they seemed to even out over the time I've known them. One way or another, they picked up the skills through difficulty. They seemed more aware as time went on when they were making some social mistakes. Sometimes you just have to explain things to them that otherwise are obvious to other people. That's not a bad thing, it's just a different way of them learning social cues.

So, I'm in agreement that throwing drugs at some of these issues doesn't give people a foundational support to fix their lives. Would've just left these people drugged up and likely no happier.

 

[Podmonkey]

Very tough for you indeed. Yes, I am also referring to ADHD. What ever you label the dis-ease/disorder it boils down to malfunction. Most health problems fall into two categories. Too much or too little. Not into the term "holistic." That term is as specific as, "all natural." As far as diet I am mainly referring to the chemicals, additives, insane amount of sugar, etc. Doesn't have to be eclectic to be healthy for the body. I can just speak from what I've seen with similar issues in the people I have worked with over the years. Not the same but I had a patient a few years ago that had been dealing with 10 years of depression/chemical imbalance (she was in her early 20's) and lost a baby shortly after giving birth. Her grandmother is a patient of mine. Well, losing that baby put her over the edge. She was going to jump off of the Bear Mountain Bridge. Thank G-d her family was able to intervene. She was committed for 2 weeks, was in out patient therapy for 2 weeks and on quite a bit of meds as a result. No changes. She wouldn't leave her house. I was able to work with her and she was able to get off of her meds and start to get her life back on track. Her grandmother also wrote a really nice success story and thanked me for saving her granddaughters life. I am not comparing her issue to what you have been dealing with but I am just mentioning this to say there could be answers if not for complete change, at least for some to significant improvement unless you have resigned yourself to thinking it isn't possible based on your past experiences. Never stop looking I guess is what I am getting at.

It is a complicated issue certainly. However I partially disagree with your overall premise.
ADHD is a discrete disorder with discrete causes, symptoms and treatments from other disorders, depression for instance, yes? Improved or altered diet is likely to improve overall health in a physical and mental sense but it is not going to do anything to address the ADHD condition directly correct?
If so that is the point I am trying to make, medication is the only thing that currently is able to directly interface with the crux of what causes ADHD, and only as a clumsy band-aid at that.
I agree that medication is not the be all end all solution but it is an effective one.
I myself choose not to medication as I have found ways to cope with this disorder without it. But it has taken a long time and my methods are far from comprehensive in their ability to ameliorate all the negatives of ADHD. I have found away to get by, to be frank no thanks to the medical community in my estimation. Except in the case of therapy which I think can be very helpful to the individual with ADHD.

 

[Podmonkey]

I couldn't agree more. While I haven't dealt with people with ADD or ADHD, I've known several people who were on the high functioning end of the autism spectrum of disorders. I think the term used to be Asperger's Syndrome, but I think it was reclassified some time ago to just be on the spectrum of autism type learning disorders.

It's very interesting to see that as these people had good support around them, they learned to deal with their social issues head on. The ones that made an effort to socialize, no matter how painful their mistakes were, they seemed to even out over the time I've known them. One way or another, they picked up the skills through difficulty. They seemed more aware as time went on when they were making some social mistakes. Sometimes you just have to explain things to them that otherwise are obvious to other people. That's not a bad thing, it's just a different way of them learning social cues.

So, I'm in agreement that throwing drugs at some of these issues doesn't give people a foundational support to fix their lives. Would've just left these people drugged up and likely no happier.

And again, ADHD and Autism are completely separate disorders, with separate symptoms and treatments. You cannot make comparisons between the two without having knowledge of both.
In fact the practice of lumping every child with "special needs" into one class/program as a result of a similar ideology as you are espousing (the one is similar to the other ideology) had an extremely adverse effect on the quality of my education, which frankly was piss poor.
This was the practice in the days of my childhood.
I understand there has been a move towards a more tailored approach in recent years which I would see as a great improvement.

The cause of some of this confusion may be due to the possibility of have concurrent disorders. It is possible for one to have ADHD while also being Autistic for example.
I myself in addition to having ADHD also have what is called a sequencing disorder. In my case manifesting in having difficulty in understanding and manipulating numbers and mathematics.

 

[Podmonkey]

This has been one of those threads that keeps me up past a prudent bedtime. I wanted to be in bed at 9, have to be up no later than 5am so G'night all.
I would like to continue this tomorrow though.

 

[libertysnake]

And again, ADHD and Autism are completely separate disorders, with separate symptoms and treatments. You cannot make comparisons between the two without having knowledge of both.
In fact the practice of lumping every child with "special needs" into one class/program as a result of a similar ideology as you are espousing (the one is similar to the other ideology) had an extremely adverse effect on the quality of my education, which frankly was piss poor.
This was the practice in the days of my childhood.
I understand there has been a move towards a more tailored approach in recent years which I would see as a great improvement.

The cause of some of this confusion may be due to the possibility of have concurrent disorders. It is possible for one to have ADHD while also being Autistic for example.
I myself in addition to having ADHD also have what is called a sequencing disorder. In my case manifesting in having difficulty in understanding and manipulating numbers and mathematics.

I’m not saying they’re the same thing. Different things. My point was only that they’re disorders of learning to some degree, and can be overcome better with mental training and effort, than patched with drugs which only dull anxieties and not the cause.

 

[Dr. Evil]

It is a complicated issue certainly. However I partially disagree with your overall premise.
ADHD is a discrete disorder with discrete causes, symptoms and treatments from other disorders, depression for instance, yes? Improved or altered diet is likely to improve overall health in a physical and mental sense but it is not going to do anything to address the ADHD condition directly correct?
If so that is the point I am trying to make, medication is the only thing that currently is able to directly interface with the crux of what causes ADHD, and only as a clumsy band-aid at that.
I agree that medication is not the be all end all solution but it is an effective one.
I myself choose not to medication as I have found ways to cope with this disorder without it. But it has taken a long time and my methods are far from comprehensive in their ability to ameliorate all the negatives of ADHD. I have found away to get by, to be frank no thanks to the medical community in my estimation. Except in the case of therapy which I think can be very helpful to the individual with ADHD.

Whether it is ADHD, depression, etc.. the bottom line is imbalance somewhere. When you talk about symptoms and treatments it is still based in the medical sense of the body being separate parts that work independently of each other. That isn't how the body works. An example of this, and understand I am not comparing this to ADHD, is when someone comes in diagnosed with a thyroid problem. They may be on synthroid, thyroid supplements, etc.. Well, the pituitary gland regulates the thyroid so although the thyroid may be along for the ride so to speak the underlying issue is the pituitary. In this sense what most people do for _______ (fill in the blank) usually is missing the big picture. Yes, diet can improve overall health but in this case I am looking more at things like chemicals and things like artificial sweeteners. The crap that is in the standard American diet. These things are neurotoxins that can cause a bevy of symptoms including ADHD. I disagree that meds interface with the cause of anything, again dealing mainly with the effects. Yes it can be effective, just not corrective. Kudos to you not to be relying on them.

 

[Podmonkey]

Whether it is ADHD, depression, etc.. the bottom line is imbalance somewhere. When you talk about symptoms and treatments it is still based in the medical sense of the body being separate parts that work independently of each other. That isn't how the body works. An example of this, and understand I am not comparing this to ADHD, is when someone comes in diagnosed with a thyroid problem. They may be on synthroid, thyroid supplements, etc.. Well, the pituitary gland regulates the thyroid so although the thyroid may be along for the ride so to speak the underlying issue is the pituitary. In this sense what most people do for _______ (fill in the blank) usually is missing the big picture. Yes, diet can improve overall health but in this case I am looking more at things like chemicals and things like artificial sweeteners. The crap that is in the standard American diet. These things are neurotoxins that can cause a bevy of symptoms including ADHD. I disagree that meds interface with the cause of anything, again dealing mainly with the effects. Yes it can be effective, just not corrective. Kudos to you not to be relying on them.

I guess I just flat disagree with you on this.
Its not a dietary issue. I could entertain diet as an exacerbating factor but as a cause? You'll never convince me of that. ADHD is hereditary, the result of a genetic predisposition. I have ADHD because it was a dominant genetic trait on my father's side and a recessive trait on my mother's side. That guaranteed that both my brother and I would have it.
And medication did indeed allievate my symptoms.

 

[Dr. Evil]

I guess I just flat disagree with you on this.
Its not a dietary issue. I could entertain diet as an exacerbating factor but as a cause? You'll never convince me of that. ADHD is hereditary, the result of a genetic predisposition. I have ADHD because it was a dominant genetic trait on my father's side and a recessive trait on my mother's side. That guaranteed that both my brother and I would have it.
And medication did indeed allievate my symptoms.

Not a dietary issue, a toxic chemical one. Toxic chemicals can be part of the overall cause. Look up things related to Aspartame. Epigenetics is proving you can turn your genes on and off by lifestyle and genes doesn't necessarily mean one is destined. Genes are like the bullets in a gun and lifestyle pulls the trigger. Also never said meds can't change symptoms. They can.

 

[Podmonkey]

Not a dietary issue, a toxic chemical one. Toxic chemicals can be part of the overall cause. Look up things related to Aspartame. Epigenetics is proving you can turn your genes on and off by lifestyle and genes doesn't necessarily mean one is destined. Genes are like the bullets in a gun and lifestyle pulls the trigger. Also never said meds can't change symptoms. They can.

ADHD is a genetic issue. Full stop. Its settled science from what I read. A flawed piece of DNA causes a malformation of receptors in the synapses that in inhibit a certain type or types of neurotransmitter(s) from properly binding.
What caused this mutation in the DNA is unknown and irrelevant to me besides as it doesn't give me a cure. The going theory is that this mutation has been present for a very long time going back 10s of thousands of years or more.

 

[Dr. Evil]

ADHD is a genetic issue. Full stop. Its settled science from what I read. A flawed piece of DNA causes a malformation of receptors in the synapses that in inhibit a certain type or types of neurotransmitter(s) from properly binding.
What caused this mutation in the DNA is unknown and irrelevant to me besides as it doesn't give me a cure. The going theory is that this mutation has been present for a very long time going back 10s of thousands of years or more.

I am not arguing with your understanding of the subject based on your experience with it. I am just stating that there are other fields such as epigenetics that is uncovering things that change the way they are being viewed. Two sayings come to mind that I bring up often with patients. First, all that is known about anatomy is so but all that is so about anatomy is not known. Second, faced with the choice between changing one's mind and proving there is no need to do so, almost everyone gets busy on the proof. We are taking two different points which is fine but not getting either of us anywhere here so I'll respectfully bow out.

 

[meketrefe]

Imagine if anxiety, depression, add, adhd, acdc or any other modern labels were mental illnesses and people taking medications for those would not ne allowed to keep and handle firearms then 90% of the police, fire and military would be out of the job.
They are not mental illnesses. Most time they are simple conditions that need some treatment to help the person.
Talk to your doctor.

 

[meketrefe]

ADHD is a genetic issue. Full stop. Its settled science from what I read. A flawed piece of DNA causes a malformation of receptors in the synapses that in inhibit a certain type or types of neurotransmitter(s) from properly binding.
What caused this mutation in the DNA is unknown and irrelevant to me besides as it doesn't give me a cure. The going theory is that this mutation has been present for a very long time going back 10s of thousands of years or more.

I dont think there is one single doctor in the planet that can 100% accurately test a condition like this and attribute it to a given code in the genetic code. There is no on/off switch and there are still many more things we dont know than the ones we know.
Even people in the spectrum is hard to classify categorically and why many people can drastically change their lives with a change in therapy. Sometimes as simple as nutrition and cognitive or ABA and of course suplements and medications as needed .
There are also environmental factors.

 

[Catskillkid]

Imagine if anxiety, depression, add, adhd, acdc or any other modern labels were mental illnesses and people taking medications for those would not ne allowed to keep and handle firearms then 90% of the police, fire and military would be out of the job.
They are not mental illnesses. Most time they are simple conditions that need some treatment to help the person.
Talk to your doctor.

I agree, but there are many that would suggest that they are mental conditions that should bar you from owning firearms. I would seek treatment but tread cautiously.

 

[spat]

I guess I just flat disagree with you on this.
Its not a dietary issue. I could entertain diet as an exacerbating factor but as a cause? You'll never convince me of that. ADHD is hereditary, the result of a genetic predisposition. I have ADHD because it was a dominant genetic trait on my father's side and a recessive trait on my mother's side. That guaranteed that both my brother and I would have it.
And medication did indeed allievate my symptoms.

I think there are a lot of diagnosis these days that are just normal variations exceeding a certain threshold.

"I was diagnosed as "short", because I'm a male at 5'6". If I was 5'7" I wouldn't be "short".

That sounds stupid. People come in all ranges of heights and you don't magically cross some threshold and it is a qualitative difference.

I think ADHD and a host of other "illnesses" and "disorders" fall into the same catogory. We all have them to some extent, some just more that others.

So, the question shouldn't be "do you have ADHD" it should be "how ADHD are you", because we all have it to some extent.

Same with autism and half the other excuses for modern pharmaceutical profit.

 

[Dr. Evil]

I think there are a lot of diagnosis these days that are just normal variations exceeding a certain threshold.

"I was diagnosed as "short", because I'm a male at 5'6". If I was 5'7" I wouldn't be "short".

That sounds stupid. People come in all ranges of heights and you don't magically cross some threshold and it is a qualitative difference.

I think ADHD and a host of other "illnesses" and "disorders" fall into the same catogory. We all have them to some extent, some just more that others.

So, the question shouldn't be "do you have ADHD" it should be "how ADHD are you", because we all have it to some extent.

Same with autism and half the other excuses for modern pharmaceutical profit.

Don't forget when you add "disorder" or "syndrome" to the end of something now you can prescribe a drug for it. Years ago you were fat. Can't prescribe a drug for someone who's fat. Now, you can for metabolic syndrome. Ain't life grand?!

 

[spat]

ADHD is a genetic issue. Full stop. Its settled science from what I read. A flawed piece of DNA causes a malformation of receptors in the synapses that in inhibit a certain type or types of neurotransmitter(s) from properly binding.
What caused this mutation in the DNA is unknown and irrelevant to me besides as it doesn't give me a cure. The going theory is that this mutation has been present for a very long time going back 10s of thousands of years or more.

It's probably been around so long because it actually confers some evolutionary advantages.

I generally disagree with the notion that it is a "disorder".

Is white skin a "disorder" because it predisposes you to sunburn ? Or is it an advantage if you live in a northern climate where lack of sunlight decreases your ability to produce Vitamin D ?

 

[Dr. Evil]

It's probably been around so long because it actually confers some evolutionary advantages.

I generally disagree with the notion that it is a "disorder".

Is white skin a "disorder" because it predisposes you to sunburn ? Or is it an advantage if you live in a northern climate where lack of sunlight decreases your ability to produce Vitamin D ?

Similar to the disease of the decade, fibromyalgia. Literally means muscle fiber pain. People have had muscle fiber pain for ions but again, you can't make and prescribe a drug for muscle fiber pain so hocus pocus, you have fibromyalgia. Like there's a diagnostic test for it lol.

 

[Podmonkey]

Don't you two dare to condescend to tell me you think what ADHD is or isn't. You haven't lived my life, you don't have a clue.
This is what I'm talking about, you go through your whole life, people telling you where the bear shit in the bucketwheat not realizing they are standing in it.

 

[Podmonkey]

I am not going argue this anymore. You can't explain the sunrise to a blind person, a symphony to the deaf. What I can say is that people like some here have made my life far more difficult than it had to be. And I fucking hate people for it.

 

[Dr. Evil]

Don't you two dare to condescend to tell me you think what ADHD is or isn't. You haven't lived my life, you don't have a clue.
This is what I'm talking about, you go through your whole life, people telling you where the bear shit in the bucketwheat not realizing they are standing in it.

Condescend? In no way are any of my comments minimizing your experience over the years and I think I made that beyond clear. Again, I said I am sorry for everything you have been through. I just disagree with the way the system approaches this and things like I mentioned. You are taking it personally when there was no intention on my part of making it personal. Don't be pissed at me for taking a different approach to health and function and trying to share that different thought process. Be pissed at the people who did nothing to help you.

 

[spat]

Don't you two dare to condescend to tell me you think what ADHD is or isn't. You haven't lived my life, you don't have a clue.
This is what I'm talking about, you go through your whole life, people telling you where the bear shit in the bucketwheat not realizing they are standing in it.

Call it whatever you want.

If you want to claim you are defective because of it that's your business. I am not going to think that way.

If you voted Democrat, then you could convince me you've got a mental disorder. ADHD is just a different way of working.

 

[Podmonkey]

Condescend? In no way are any of my comments minimizing your experience over the years and I think I made that beyond clear. Again, I said I am sorry for everything you have been through. I just disagree with the way the system approaches this and things like I mentioned. You are taking it personally when there was no intention on my part of making it personal.

Of course I take it personally. Do you have any idea what a fucking nightmare it is to have to work twice as hard to achieve half as much in a world that doesn't give a fuck?
This isn't an academic debate to us, its our life.

 

[Dr. Evil]

Of course I take it personally. Do you have any idea what a fucking nightmare it is to have to work twice as hard to achieve half as much in a world that doesn't give a fuck?
This isn't an academic debate to us, its our life.

I haven't had your experience, lived you life and been through what you have been through. I wasn't trying to shame you, talk down to you or be condescending to you. My frustration is that you and many others have been taught how to live with your problems. It pisses me off. I have people all of the time that have been told just learn how to live with it by other professions. They accept that sadly. Many of them have found that they don't need to live with their stuff. There are other ways to help. Then they get pissed at those that let them down. That frustrates me to no end because I always say where there is life, there's hope. I give a fuck every day with the people that look to me for help and trust me enough to try to help them. You can't save the world but I kill myself trying. I'm not the enemy here so understand the meaning behind my words in this thread. BTW, I am working with a 9 year old boy with the same issues now. I have been seeing him for about 6 months. His parents are happy to report that he is more focused, getting his homework done and overall more cooperative. As a matter of fact his mom was very happy over the summer that he said to her, "So if I spend the time to do all of my homework now I will have more time later to go outside and play?" He never reasoned like that with her before. Still has some things going on but improvement which is why they continue to bring him in. He's a good kid. Much calmer in my office than when I first met him.

 

[Podmonkey]

Call it whatever you want.

If you want to claim you are defective because of it that's your business. I am not going to think that way.

If you voted Democrat, then you could convince me you've got a mental disorder. ADHD is just a different way of working.

You'd think differently if you grew up with:
"Why can't you do your homework on time?"
"Why is your handwriting so terrible?"
"Why can't you concentrate?"
"Why are you so disorganized?"
"Why are you so disruptive?"
"Why can't you get along with everyone?"
"Why can't you get your work done on time?"
"Why is your work area so messy?"
"Why can't you hold down a job?"
"Why do you have to be different?"
"Why can't you be normal?"
Couple of decades of that and your question is
"Why was I born?"

 

[Podmonkey]

I'm fucking done with this.

 

[Dr. Evil]

I'm fucking done with this.

Did you even read post 84?

 

[spat]

You'd think differently if you grew up with:
"Why can't you do your homework on time?"
"Why is your handwriting so terrible?"
"Why can't you concentrate?"
"Why are you so disorganized?"
"Why are you so disruptive?"
"Why can't you get along with everyone?"
"Why can't you get your work done on time?"
"Why is your work area so messy?"
"Why can't you hold down a job?"
"Why do you have to be different?"
"Why can't you be normal?"
Couple of decades of that and your question is
"Why was I born?"

Lol, I *did* grow up with most of that.

 

[meketrefe]

We have lots of respect for the people suffering from whatever that might be.
The problem is when folks start putting literally one thousand labels to something so diverse and complex
and when so many things still fully unknown.
The trend now is that the H in ADHD is being dropped from the adult diagnosis now because it is reserved for the youth.

Here some alternative questions...

"Why can't you do your homework on time?" .... When is the last time I saw attractive Homework?
"Why is your handwriting so terrible?" .... People still write on paper?
"Why can't you concentrate?" .... Can I play a video game for 8 hrs w/o skipping a beat?
"Why are you so disorganized?" .... were not both Picasso and Dali pretty disorganized?
"Why are you so disruptive?" .... Can I play video games for 8hrs w/o being disruptive?
"Why can't you get along with everyone?" .... Where can I find interesting people? ...if people could be as nice as animals?
"Why can't you get your work done on time?" .... Do politicians ever get any work done?
"Why is your work area so messy?" .... Have you seen peoples Garages? ...many have PHDs.
"Why can't you hold down a job?" ... can interesting jobs be found?
"Why do you have to be different?" ... 7 billion humans and can we find a duplicate?
"Why can't you be normal?" ... How many "normal" people are totally unhappy?
"Why was I born?" ... Did any human (or animal) had any saying on why he/she was born?

One needs to talk to a doctor and/or a therapist because that might be the only way to get some help
and unfortunately, as we know, there are some people who can become pretty dysfunctional and why
they need help. Anxiety, depression are pretty common things is modern society, specially big cities
as humans brains were not designed for them.
But also lets remember a pretty dysfunctional autistic person and Bill Gates both are in "the spectrum"
so labels create a lot of stigma and do not help and why one should investigate all possible routes and
alternatives.

Lets put it this way, where some people see a storm that only brings flooding and destruction others
are contemplating how that water and those forces could be harnessed to create energy.