Attention, deficit hyperactivity disorder, was first mentioned in the early 1900's. Sir George Still, a pediatrician from Britain, described it as "an abnormal defect of moral control in children" (Holland, 2015). Today it is a commonplace for a child, usually by the age of seven years old, and for some reason usually male, to be diagnosed with ADHD. It is now more clearly defined as "a behavioral disorder made apparent by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and/or sometimes impulsive behavior” (kidshealth.org). To be officially diagnosed you must have been showing symptoms of ADHD before the age of twelve. Adult cases are also apparent, although not as common. But can we and should we really call ADHD a disorder that can be medically diagnosed, as the National Institute of Mental Health says, or is it simply a "fad diagnosis,” rather than a real enduring disease, as R. H. Wright would like everyone to believe? In this, both arguments will be discussed and elaborated on, with evidence and research from the NIMH and Wright, as well as further research I have conducted. I will also give my conclusion on whether or not ADHD is merely a myth or not.
Medical Description
Definition
As indicated by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), ADHD is a serious cerebrum condition that is marked by symptoms distinctly different from normal adolescent behavior. While it is true that students in a school are regularly hard to get attention from as a teacher in the classroom, and they do have a lot of energy, there are more apparent traits expressed in children who have ADHD that have nothing to do with a lack of interest in the subject material. Although the diagnosis is typically between the ages of seven and twelve, early signs can be seen in preschool level children, being three to six years old.
Signs
The most initial sign is hyperactivity feeling restless, moving around or climbing when usually deemed inappropriate to others, talking nonstop, interrupting conversations and games, and prominent impatience. Later the child will most likely start showing more apparent symptoms such as inattention, making careless mistakes in schoolwork, having difficulty sustaining attention for lengthy periods of time even for simple tasks, avoiding or disliking mental effort for problem-solving, disorganization, and losing necessary things, such as; House keys, homework, glasses, phone among others. Another symptom is also impulsivity, the subject makes hasty decisions without thoroughly considering the outcome or alternative routes. These are all characteristics of someone who does not want to pay attention or have a lack of effort but instead cannot pay attention. The disorder dramatically affects the life of the subject, not only in school, but also in a social aspect, and at home (Biederman, 1998).
Occurrence
Most individuals that are diagnosed with ADHD are children, but there are also cases of adult ADHD though the symptoms are usually milder. With these cases, they were first diagnosed as a child with the disorder, carrying some of the symptoms over into adulthood. It is vital for ADHD to be still defined as a real disorder and for people to be diagnosed with it. Going without a diagnosis, and therefore medication will most likely lead to being a social pariah as most people with ADHD are considered obnoxious and annoying to their peers, as well as failures in the job market because they do not have the attention capacity needed. Adolescents with ADHD are also more prone to make unhealthy lifestyle choices involving sexual activity and drug/alcohol abuse.
Normal Children Behavior
Normal Signs
According to R. H. Wright, ADHD is a “fad disease,” that is to say that in general some children are being misdiagnosed for a disease that does not exist with symptoms that are just normal childlike behavior on a regular basis. These children are showing normal amounts of energy and teachers and parents want to use drugs as a solution to these “problem children.” The classroom is easier to teach when the whole class is on the same level of calm and quiet maybe that is why teachers are so quick to advise the parents to evaluate them for the possibility of ADHD. This “disorder” has been going in and out of fashion over the years as other diseases emerge and seem to take the spotlight.
Medical Research
Even for people who do display an unusual amount of inattention and energy, there could be many other reasons behind it other than a “behavioral or brain disorder” and therefore simpler solutions that do not involve drug administration (Barkley, 1989). Wright also describes a case study for people diagnosed with ADHD, the largest of its kind by Cummings and Wiggins, who studied 168,133 patients who had been referred and treated over the course of four years in 39 states. Before the study began, 61% of male subjects and 23% of female subjects were on medication for their diagnosis. They found that for most of the patients, they were growing or had grown up in similar environments involving a single parent home, usually with a lack of father figure, or being abused by a male role model. In the study, positive male role models were introduced to them and included “Big Brothers,” coaches, Sunday school teachers among others and parents were counseled in what is normal behavior in children, particularly young boys. By the end of the study, the level of men taking drugs was decreased from sixty-one percent to eleven percent, and for females, it was reduced from 23% to 2%. This study indicates that there is an alarming amount of misdiagnoses and unnecessary medication being given. That is a problem because the medication has side effects other than just bringing the child down to calmer, more manageable level.
Case Study Example
Wright mentions a boy named John, who at the age of around 23 years old, is given a tranquilizer for hyperactivity, distractibility, and behavior control. Soon his academic performance decreases dramatically, and after some tests, it is made apparent that his IQ which had originally been within 110 to 119, or the “Bright Normal Range” has lowered to below 60, “Borderline Mentally Retarded.” He was taken off of the prescription as advised by Wright, and against the prescribing psychiatrist’s protests. Retesting a month later, John showed he was back at the Bright Normal Range, and he was showing dramatic improvement in school again.
Conclusion
Overall I have been further educated in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and I have concluded that the answer to the question, “Is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder a Real Disorder?” is “yes.” I believe that although Wright makes excellent points and his claims are supported with a lot of sound evidence, the National Institute of Mental Health makes good points, too, and that they outweigh Wright’s, albeit not enough to completely derail his argument. I think that there are cases, maybe not as often as claimed, of children having a chemical imbalance in their brains, or congenital disabilities, or mental problems in general forming due to home/social issues, that need to be helped out with sometimes. I believe that tests should be more refined and perfected to make entirely ensure accurate diagnoses. There is still research and studies being made today in the United States and other countries that will further help us understand this disorder, its causes, its effects, and how to diagnose and treat it.
References
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. (2006). National Institute of Mental Health,
225.Retrieved March 8, 2016
Barkley, R. A. (1989). The problem of stimulus control and rule-governed behavior in attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity. Current Concepts and Emerging Trends in Attentional and Behavioral Disorders of Childhood, 203-233.
Biederman, J. M. (1998). Depression in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) children:“true” depression or demoralization. Journal of affective disorders, 47(1-3), 113-122.
Wright, R. H. (2005). Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: What It Is and What It Is Not.Destructive Trends in Mental Health: The Well Intentioned Path to Harm, 129234. Retrieved March 6, 2016
Reference
Idea
Place in outline
Biederman, J. M. (1998). Depression in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) children:“true” depression or demoralization. Journal of affective disorders, 47(1-3), 113-122.
The disorder dramatically affects the life of the subject, not only in school, but also in a social aspect, and at home.
Pro section under Signs
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. (2006). National Institute of Mental Health, 225.Retrieved March 8, 2016
ADHD is a severe brain condition that is marked by symptoms distinctly different from normal adolescent behavior.
Pro section under Definition
Wright, R. H. (2005). Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: What It Is and What It Is Not.Destructive Trends in Mental Health: The Well Intentioned Path to Harm, 129234. Retrieved March 6, 2016
ADHD is a “fad disease,” that is to say that in general some children are being misdiagnosed for a disease that does not exist with symptoms that are just normal childlike behavior on a regular basis.
Con section under Normal Signs
Barkley, R. A. (1989). The problem of stimulus control and rule-governed behavior in attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity. Current Concepts and Emerging Trends in Attentional and Behavioral Disorders of Childhood, 203-233.
Even for people who do display an unusual amount of inattention and energy, there could be many other reasons behind it other than a “behavioral or brain disorder” and therefore simpler solutions that do not involve drug administration
Con section under Medical Research
