ADHD Proven Real in Brain Studies

The debate continues on the reality of ADHD. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder has parents, teachers, and children up in arms to defend their views on the issue. Parents raising children with focus problems and behavior issues often stand behind the diagnosis as real and significant. Others disagree. Neuropsychiatrist Sydney Walker refers to attention disorders as "symptoms of modern life, rather than symptoms of modern disease," in the book The Hyperactivity Hoax: How to Stop Drugging Your Child and Find Real Medical Help. Still others believe that ADHD is simply a cultural hoax, a make-believe disease invented to sell speed and addict children to medications in the name of the almighty dollar.

What is ADHD?

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It is a disorder that affects both children and adults, and for many years, the causes have been completely unknown, and though scientists and researchers have often speculated. ADHD is a common behavioral disorder that affects an estimated 8% to 10% of school-age children. There are different types of ADHD, classified by symptom sets:

Inattentive Type

- inability to hold attention or focus on details; tendency to make errors of a careless type on schoolwork/projects

- Decreased ability for sustained attention to work, play or other tasks

- difficulty listening

- difficulty following directions

- organizational difficulties

- dislike or avoiding tasks requiring mental effort

- tendency to repeatedly misplace things: keys, purse, backpack

- difficulty avoiding distraction

- forgetfulness
Hyperactive-impulsive Type

- fidgety, squirming

- difficulty keeping seat

- excessive running or climbing, or inappropriate activity for environment

- difficulty engaging in quiet play or activity

- excessive energy and activity

- excessive talking

- blurting out or giving responses before hearing the entire question

- difficulty waiting in line or taking turns

- tendency to interrupt Combined Type

- involves a combination of some or all symptoms from both other sets Is ADHD Real or is it Just Really Profitable?

Two new reports indicate that ADHD is a real and scientifically provable disease.As reported on Forbes.com, In one study, researchers found "that a variant of the dopamine receptor gene may help cause the behavioral condition but also improve its long-term outcome". The second study found that "Individuals with ADHD have a decreased function of the brain dopamine system. ADHD, clearly, is associated with a biochemical dysfunction," according to an article in Forbes.com.

For parents who have wondered what makes their children tick (and keep ticking and ticking and ticking...), these studies are promising. Finding the cause of the disorder gives parents something to hold onto. It shows them that their efforts to advocate for their child in school are for good cause, and not just a lack of parenting skills having produced poorly behaving children. Parents of ADHD children are often attacked both directly and indirectly by others who accuse them of medicating their child to avoid dealing with normal childhood behavior, making excuses for children with poor manners, causing their children to become drug addicts so they don't have to deal with normal childhood "boys being boys" or "kids being kids". For parents who have endured this t ype of criticism, finding a genetic, biological cause for ADHD is a relief.

On the flip side, ADHD is also very profitable to pharmaceutical companies. Those who believe that parents and teachers would prefer to medicate students into simple submission have definite fodder for their argument when numbers of diagnosed kids on stimulant drugs number up to ten percent of enrolled school children. Drugs like Ritalin and Adderall meant to increase concentration and decrease behavior problems occurring as a result of symptoms can be addictive, and can also have some pretty nasty side effects. The industry makes billions of dollars supplying kids and adults alike with medication to help tame their symptoms.

The non-believers think that ADHD is more a cultural issue -- that cell phones, pulsating, loud music, action-packed t.v. programs and the on-the-go nature of society today has decreased family time, discipline, manners, and patience, and increased the need for a fast-paced, exciting environment in kids today. Many feel that the focus and behavior issues are either a matter of diet or poor discipline, or a combination thereof. Thus, the two sides clash in heated debate.

Final Analysis

With the studies by the National Institute of Mental Health and National Institute on Drug Abuse having similar results, it is likely that at least a partial answer has been found. Both studies are in depth, scientific, and carried out by reputable organizations. It appears that ADHD is caused by a decrease in the production of dopamine in the brain. Further, the findings also explain why ADHD patients abuse certain drugs like nicotine, cocaine, and methamphetamines, which also stimulate dopamine production. Parents can rest easy. Perhaps with a better understanding of the problem, will come a better method of treatment, or even a cure.