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Is ADHD real?

There are so many facets of ADHD that I could discuss, but foundational to the discussion of ADHD is the question of its existence.

First of all, how is it defined? ADHD is a disorder of impulse control that is manifest by difficulties with maintaining attention and difficulties with increased poorly controlled activity (my definition). The psychologists have a more thorough definition, and one that we use in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV (DSM IV). An example of the full definition can be found here. The DSM IV describes ADHD. If a child has behavior that fits the description in the DSM IV without another cause, they are said to have ADHD.

Is ADHD real? Yes. Is it necessarily a disease? No. Is its prevalence (the number of people in a population who have this diagnosis) a reflection of what I believe to be ADHD? No. Given the description in the DSM IV countless children and adults fit ADHD. ADHD exists because people who fit the defined pattern of behavior exist. This does not address causation, contributing factors, solutions, treatment, perceptions, and reality. Many physicians see ADHD as a medical diagnosis (a disease) that requires medical management. I don’t believe this is always the case.

The problem with ADHD is not, “Does it exist?” ADHD as a description of behavior is real. The problems include diagnosis, contributing factors, cause, and treatment of ADHD.

More later…. I will probably deal with issues that contribute to ADHD next.
I would be glad to entertain questions, clarifications, and snide remarks.

Posted by Lee Brock on Saturday, November 26th, 2005 at 8:51 am.

4 Responses to “Is ADHD real?”

I am looking forward to your comments on this topic, Lee.

NeoFundy

Left by NeoFundy on November 26th, 2005

I think it interesting that most of the symptoms of ADHD are also the symptoms of being a young boy.

While there may very well be a brain chemical component to ADHD most of the “symptoms” are things that parents are supposed to train out of their children as they grow.
Two of my adopted daughters were diagnosed with ADHD prior to coming into our home, one was even on meds. Both are simply bright girls that were never properly parented.
Using a Biblical model of parenting we have never had any ADHD type problems with these girls.

My thought is that a lot of the inattention issues are exacerbated by two common elements of our culture:

1) Too much TV and video/computer games. These are a constant source of sensory stimulation and the kids have problems when they then have to interact with a world that
is not as stimulating.

2) Too much sugar in the diet. Homeschooling eleven kids, we have seen the devastating effects sweets for lunch can have on our homeschool day. Likewise, eating a healthy
can have positive effects on attention spans.

I look forward to hearing more of your thoughts.

Left by fatherofeleven on November 28th, 2005

I don’t disagree. I think much of what we call ADHD today is related to parenting style.

Dealing with parenting or home styles in a pediatric clinic with one visit every couple of months is like getting someone to stop smoking. Our attempts are mostly ineffective. I have tried. There is a sense that dealing with an unbelievers in the realm of dealing with life Biblically can be a challenging at best and in some instances impossible outside of Christ.

I also think that chronic high levels of arousal (video games, TV, etc.) contribute to the “boredom” that children experience during less stimulating times.

I can’t knowledgably answer the sugar question. I know families where a correlation between sugar and behavior is seen. Others seem to see no correlation.

Left by Lee Brock on November 29th, 2005

[...] I thought I would mention that my pediatrician husband has written several posts about ADHD on his little used blog. There are only a few posts, so it will be easy to scan for all the ADHD posts (there are about four or five). The first one is Is ADHD real? [...]

Left by As4Me » ADHD from a Christian Perspective on May 4th, 2008

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