Post by addam on Jun 11, 2012 9:36:11 GMT
A few thoughts extracted from the chaos of my brain.
1) We need a new name.
The thing that sets us apart, the thing that brought us to this forum, the thing we currently call ADHD, needs a new name. It’s not a deficit of attention, and it doesn’t always mean that we are hyperactive, especially as adults. The problem is not a lack of attention, the problem is a lack of control of attention. I don’t even think of it as a disorder, more of a neurological variation which makes us not very compatible with the safe modern world, we were built for more dangerous times. A new name would also help to begin to leave behind all the old irrational myths and nonsense which surrounds ADHD.
2) We need a new model.
The current behavioural model does not work. It assumes that ADHD is the only factor affecting behaviour, which is wrong, a million different things do. One of the problems is the requirement for it to cause impairment. In order to measure the level of impairment caused, a comparison would have to be made between how well someone functions with and without ADHD, which is impossible, therefore measuring impairment is impossible. What’s needed is a cognitive model, in terms of executive functions – an orchestra without a conductor.
3) We need widespread awareness.
A new name and better description will help with this. At the moment it’s something that people just don’t know about. It needs to be normalised, de-stigmatised, assimilated.
4) It needs to be much easier to get a diagnosis.
ADHD is a very common problem, getting a diagnosis should not be a big deal. I think the majority of people with it don’t know they have it, they see it as part of their personality, and adapt as best they can. If you go to your GP and say you are depressed, you get handed a script for an SSRI(serotonin reuptake inhibitor), it really shouldn’t be much different for ADHD and a script for a DRI(dopamine reuptake inhibitor).
5) Let’s stop being so squeamish about drugs like MPH.
If something is life-enhancing, productivity-boosting, then why not use it? We need a consistent and rational approach to controlling drugs. Let’s put MPH on the supermarket shelves next to the aspirin and see what happens. More damaging than the drug called alcohol? Of course not.
:-)
1) We need a new name.
The thing that sets us apart, the thing that brought us to this forum, the thing we currently call ADHD, needs a new name. It’s not a deficit of attention, and it doesn’t always mean that we are hyperactive, especially as adults. The problem is not a lack of attention, the problem is a lack of control of attention. I don’t even think of it as a disorder, more of a neurological variation which makes us not very compatible with the safe modern world, we were built for more dangerous times. A new name would also help to begin to leave behind all the old irrational myths and nonsense which surrounds ADHD.
2) We need a new model.
The current behavioural model does not work. It assumes that ADHD is the only factor affecting behaviour, which is wrong, a million different things do. One of the problems is the requirement for it to cause impairment. In order to measure the level of impairment caused, a comparison would have to be made between how well someone functions with and without ADHD, which is impossible, therefore measuring impairment is impossible. What’s needed is a cognitive model, in terms of executive functions – an orchestra without a conductor.
3) We need widespread awareness.
A new name and better description will help with this. At the moment it’s something that people just don’t know about. It needs to be normalised, de-stigmatised, assimilated.
4) It needs to be much easier to get a diagnosis.
ADHD is a very common problem, getting a diagnosis should not be a big deal. I think the majority of people with it don’t know they have it, they see it as part of their personality, and adapt as best they can. If you go to your GP and say you are depressed, you get handed a script for an SSRI(serotonin reuptake inhibitor), it really shouldn’t be much different for ADHD and a script for a DRI(dopamine reuptake inhibitor).
5) Let’s stop being so squeamish about drugs like MPH.
If something is life-enhancing, productivity-boosting, then why not use it? We need a consistent and rational approach to controlling drugs. Let’s put MPH on the supermarket shelves next to the aspirin and see what happens. More damaging than the drug called alcohol? Of course not.
:-)