ADHD does exist, believe me (I am a neuroscientist). That said, it is a great riddle to me why it occurred when it did, not so very long ago, and on such a wide scale. I am more a man to inquire into the causes than throwing kilos of drugs to the kids in question.
Currently I am looking into the following topics:
-in how far is it a cross-cultural phenomenon? We could learn a lot about a potential genetic background if we compare different races of people in this respect.
-when exactly did the ‘epidemic’ start?
-...and what exactly did change in our societies in a ‘concomitant’ way, together with that explosion?
I conjecture that a few phenomena could be involved, such as: a sudden rise in fooling around with ‘neurotic stimuli’, which are massively present in computer games, for instance. Bear in mind that people with a disposition towards epileptic seizures already can be ‘triggered’ by flash photography. We all are sensitive to intense and quickly changing light impulses, rapidly appearing intense images on a screen. So what could be the impact of playing violent games for hours on end? My instincts tell me: not good, not good at all. (Incidentally, I am against early morning TV viewing by young children. They are still learning how to process dreams and getting used to normal daily rhythms. TV is highly disturbing in this respect, and I don’t care at all whether hundreds of millions of parents think otherwise).
Kids need tender, patient, loving care; and playing a board game with the entire family in the evening, instead of endlessly watching garbage and commercials is crucial in bringing up mature, responsible, and thoughtful adolescents.
Just my two cents.
So why the sudden epidemic? Because of such triggers as X-Box, Nitendo, HD TV, or anything that has rapid sensory bombardments. It can also be visual in nature. I'm 50 years old and it was thought I had ADHD. Now I realize my sensory processing system is shot and it points to major Vestibular dysfunction. It's to the point I have Myoclonic seizures as a result. The condition have always been amongst us. The triggers however have not. The triggers created the appearance of an epidemic.
The main problem is doctors {especially shrinks} are very quick to say ADHD and do not do the necessary testing for C.A.P.D. I think ADHD is real but not near as common as believed. I think C.A.P.D. is real and is belived to be a result of normal childhood issues such as Chronic Ear Infections, sinus allergies, etc. Thus it is far more common. As for treatment? Pretty simple. Treat the primary condition doing the damage such as the ear infection or allergies and try to limit further damage.
I love doctors like you.
A pediatric neurologist saved my son a lifetime of hell and saved my sanity. Found out my kid was a Celiac. Within two weeks, I had a new kid. After two months he was normal in every way.
I fought my a$$ off to get to the bottom of the problem. Even homeschooled him for 7 years to keep him from driving the teachers crazy.
He's 14 now and it's all paid off. He's happy, calm, A student, athletic, funny, moral and goal oriented on life. Never once took behavior meds.
He did develop Type 1 diabetes and had to get over terrible malnutrition caused by CD, but he's thriving. (A bit shorter than he would've been, but that doesn't bother him one bit.)
Please don't stop what you're doing. So many families need doctors like you.
I do believe it's been around longer than that. My wife had a student in her first year of teaching that today would be call ADHD, I think they just called him hyperactive. That was in 1971-72. His "medication" consisted of a big thermos of strong coffee, to be administered when needed. It worked, most of the time. The other times I think he was being the typical 11 year old boy. Given his home/family situation, poor as church mice, I doubt he got a lot of TV time, even in black and white). I know the one time I interacted with him, he wasn't either hyper or "down", he was just being a brat. he paid for it by having to stay on the bus while the rest of class cavort around a park and zoo. However he was told that if he didn't straighten up, he'd miss the tour of the computer center, something he really wanted to see. He straightened up, albeit with some difficulty, and got to see the computer center. (The IBM 360 room sized computer). I've heard that he grew up OK.