ADHD

For English we had to pick a topic to research and write a presentation about. I chose to do do it on ADHD and how it was real. The reason for this is that I heard that some people think that it doesn't exist. When I heard this I was absolutely incensed, for good reason. I myself have ADHD and learning that people thought I was using it as an excuse made me feel indignant. Part of the assignment was to write a letter, and I decided to post it here. So here it is.

Despite what you may think ADHD is a real disorder. It is not something that people just make up as an excuse, some do that, but you can not just write off a mental disorder just because you’ve never encountered it. Not only is there scientific evidence to back this up there is also real data showing how people with ADHD are affected. However I have to agree that the diagnosis process is much too vague, and there should be actions taken to prevent the people who are ‘posers’.

There is real scientific proof to back up the existence of ADHD. There have been brain scans of those diagnosed with the condition and there is a difference in size of parts in the brain compared to those without the condition. Specifically, the prefrontal cortex, the caudate nucleus and globus pallidus, and the cerebellum. There is also a difference in their working memory, working memory is how your brain processes and stores information. Studies on this subject have been done and have proven the fact that they have a harder time doing tasks that use working memory.  In the same study, they gave those with ADHD a test and compared their brain patterns to those without ADHD. They found that there was a difference in the blood flow in the basal ganglia. Which is usually used for response readiness and motor control. This means that those with ADHD are relying on the wrong areas of the brain for certain tasks. There are abnormalities in the brain, chemically as well. Indeed, the reason that stimulant medication works so well is because it balances out the chemicals in the brain. ADHD is well supported by science.

Another reason ADHD should not be dismissed is because of its detrimental effect on the lives of the inflicted. There was a study done on a hundred twenty-three children with ADHD, they were compared with a hundred nineteen children from similar backgrounds without ADHD, they were each analyzed annually until they reached twenty. There were some very interesting results. Mainly, eighteen percent of those hundred twenty three people suffered from depression. In addition, those with ADHD were five times as likely to have considered suicide, and two times as likely to have attempted suicide. Those with the inattention and combined subtype were at greater risk for depression and those with the combined and hyperactivity were more likely to have suicidal thoughts. In a different study it was found that girls were more likely to have teen pregnancy, due to the fact that the difficulties of ADHD cause difficulties in school and socializing which lead to low self-esteem. This loss of self-esteem can lead to those with ADHD to find ways to raise it, for most girls it is sex. The impulsiveness that comes from ADHD makes it more likely that it will be unprotected sex and as we all know can lead to STDs and pregnancies. Furthermore, these people are more like to suffer from drug abuse and get into car crashes. How can one deny ADHD is real when it has made so many miserable and depressed.

There are 4.4 million children diagnose with ADHD, which makes it the most common mental disorders ever. There are two possible reasons for this giant number. 1.) Therepastare this many people with ADHD and if this is the case then there must be something done to make their lives less miserable. 2.) There are people who are pretending and/or the diagnosis process is much too vague and easy to fake. To get past this problem I propose a more specific diagnosis process. There have to be at least two people who reccomend treatment, an interview with the patient, and a requirement to complete some tasks that require them to sit still and focus. Also, to prevent drug abuse with the medication there should be a screening process done with those who want medication.  This problem with overdiagnosis could be solved by taking these measures.

ADHD is obviously a real disease, as shown by the information stated. There is real scientific information to back this up, especially when it comes to the brain. There is also a correlation between ADHD and real issues like teenage pregnancy, depression, drug abuse, and suicide. Problems with overdiagnosis can be solved efficiently. Can one really deny ADHD’s existence after reading this letter?