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History of ADD, Part 2

© Valerie de Armas

Last time we explored the early history of ADD. Now, we’ll take the history into the present and beyond.

We left off last time with the early 1960s when some researchers were beginning to believe that ADD may have been caused by environmental factors. Other researchers were convinced of the biological nature of the disorder. The environmental theories have now been proven untrue with the current research showing a biochemical cause, but there are still those who believe that diet, allergies and the like have an influence on the behavior of the ADHD child.

In 1965, The American Psychiatric Association (ADA) established a diagnostic category for “Hyperkinetic Reaction of Childhood”. This category was certainly a step in the right direction, but it ignored those who experienced attention problems with no hyperactivity.

Literally thousands of studies followed on hyperactivity. Researchers started to believe the presence of a neurological component to ADD. Virginia Douglas, a Canadian psychologist, discovered four major characteristics of ADD or ADHD as we now call it:

1. deficits in attention and effort 2. impusivity 3. problems in regulating arousal levels 4. a need for immediate reinforcement

In large part due to Douglas’ work, the ADA established a new diagnostic category, Attention Deficit Disorder, With or Without Hyperactivity. In 1987, the ADA further revised the name to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Then, in 1994, the ADA defined three subtypes:

1. Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Predominately Inattentive 2. Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Predominately Hyperactive 3. Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Combined Type

It is also significant to note that until the 1980s it was thought that ADHD symptoms were only present in childhood. Although an adult may not display as many symptoms of hyperactivity as a child might, attention and impulse symptoms can be profound.

As research continues, I believe we will continue to discover more about the biochemical causes of ADHD and more about the neurotransmitters in the brain that seem to play a role in ADHD. I think we will find out more about the genetic component of ADHD and that because of these advances we will be able to better help our children and ourselves.

We may even re-name the disorder yet again. I believe that the name should reflect that we really don’t have an attention deficit, but an attention surplus. We just seem to have a problem with selective attention. My personal experience proves I have an abundance of attention; I just don’t usually pay attention to what I’m supposed to!

Until next time…

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