In this special report we will explore the origins of ADD-ADHD and discuss some of the facts that you are NOT being told by your Doctor…. but if you do not understand, could cost you and your family a lot of harm and heartache. You will also learn…
WHAT IS ADD-ADHD AND WHY EVERYONE IS A LITTLE BIT ADD-ADHD
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is said to be one of the most alarming and misconstrued of all medical conditions. Although there have been more than 200 scientific papers published on this condition each year, it still remains controversial and stigmatized.
Let’s take a look at what exactly is ADHD and what is it not and why nearly everyone is ‘fit’ to be called as suffering from ADHD
ADHD- What is it and what is it not
The earliest mention of ADHD goes back to 1902 when a certain Dr. Still came across considerable behavioral difficulties in various children. He soon recognized the fact that these behaviors were not related to poor parenting or any kind of brain damage. However, when a flu pandemic broke out there were many instances of people having neurological difficulties. In the 1930s this was termed as ‘minimal brain damage’ but was later known as ADHD.
As years rolled by, people were still under the notion that people suffering from ADHD, basically have a minimal brain damage which was due to neurological or parenting reasons. During late 50s-early 60s, studies conducted by various scientists concluded that there wasn’t any actual brain damage but rather a ‘minimal brain dysfunction’.
There were signs of hope when the original reasons for ADHD started surfacing. It was after Canadian researcher named Virginia Douglas conceptualized this condition as ‘attention deficit’. It was only in 1980 that 3rd edition, of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) published Diagnostic and Statistical Manual DSM-III coined the term ‘Attention Deficit Disorder with or without Hyperactivity’. Finally, in 1987 the term ‘Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder’ came into being.
In 1994, APA published the 4th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV). According to the manual, three basic patterns of behavior were noticed in people with ADHD. They might show any one or all three symptoms of
- Inattentiveness
- Hyperactivity
- Impulsivity
Some signs of Inattention include
- Becoming easily disturbed by extraneous sounds or sights
- Inability to be attentive to important details and making senseless mistakes
- Not following given instructions completely and carefully
- Forgetting or losing things like pencils, books, toys, or any other tools needed for a task
- Reluctance to engage in tasks requiring sustained mental effort.
- Strong likes and dislikes
DSM has mentioned specific guidelines for determining when they signify ADHD. Based on the DSM-IV three types of ADHD have been identified
- Combined Type: if the individual demonstrates inattentiveness and hyperactivity and impulsivity for the past 6 months
- Predominantly Inattentive Type: if the individual demonstrates inattentiveness but not hyperactivity and impulsivity for the past 6 months
- Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type: if the individual demonstrates hyperactivity and impulsivity but not inattentiveness for the past 6 months
Today, in America alone there are almost 750,000 children diagnosed with ADHD. These people are often termed as lazy, stupid, wild, disorganized, and woozy on drugs or out of control. However, the reality is on the whole very complex, and deeply moving. Many times adults tend to live much of their lives without understanding what is wrong with them. In recent times, ADHD is growing to be one of the most diagnosed behavioral disorders in not only little children but adults as well.
Since there is no definite medical test for diagnosing ADHD, the diagnosis of ADHD has turned very subjective. The point to be considered is that ADHD is not all about attention deficiency; it is actually the inability to control attention, hyperactive and impulsivity tendencies. People suffering from ADHD could have a problem when it comes to being attentive towards an activity or a conversation they find boring. On the other hand when they are engrossed in an activity of interest or in which they demonstrate their skills and strengths, they actually hyperfocus, which means possessing the ability of focusing on an activity to the extent of excluding everything else. In other words, ADHD is also situational.
If after reading the DSM-IV symptoms and the various traits of an ADHD individual, you are of the notion that almost everyone is a little bit ADHD, you are not wrong. Many people experience these symptoms to a certain degree in their day to day life.
With the improved screening tools, there is a growing awareness about ADHD everywhere. For instance Dr. Lenard Adler, a psychiatrist at the New York University rightly is of the view that with the growing awareness as more and more children are being diagnosed; more parents are realizing the characteristics in themselves and getting screened. Most people show signs of ADD-like traits in day to day situations. This becomes an attention deficit disorder only when it starts negatively affecting his/her life.
However, by applying the “3 Steps To Conquering ADD-ADHD”, both, adults and children with ADHD can no only control their symptoms, but use their ADD-ADHD their advantage and lead fulfilled and happy lives.
