Home
>
Parenting
>
I Dont Believe in ADHD

I Dont Believe in ADHD

O.K. I've heard it a hundred times from my prison guard friends, "I don't believe that there is such a thing as ADD. It's only something made up from the drug companies to drug our children." They know because they read an article in a magazine, or saw a show on TV once. I guess they also believe in aliens in government, and that Elvis still lives somewhere in Oklahoma.

Look, there are lots of physical differences between the actual brains of people with ADD and those who don't have it, and there are also functional differences in the way that their brains work. And there are lots of scientists and physicians who are investing lots of time and money into identifying and writing about those differences. Just because their research is too boring to make the Morning Show on TV doesn't mean that it doesn't exist, or isn't true.

The Functional Differences include studies with EEGs, Q-EEGs, CPTs, psychological testing, and "functional" MRIs (fMRI). They showed differences in activation levels of various areas of the brain, differences in brainwave patterns, and differences in glucose metabolism (as measure of brain work load) between ADHD subjects and non-ADHD subjects. They also showed the ADD ADHD groups to have poorer performance on timed tasks, slower reaction time, slower processing times, lower problem solving abilities, less fine motor control, less gross motor control, differences in evoked potentials, and problems with inhibition, as compared to the controls.

The Structural Differences include studies with MRIs, PET scans, and SPECT scans. They show subtle structural differences in the prefrontal cortex (smaller right anterior frontal cortex, and less white matter in the right frontal lobes which cause problems with sustained or focused attention), caudate nucleus (asymmetries which cause problems with self-control), and globus pallidus. They also show that the right hemisphere of the ADHD brain is, on average, 5% smaller than the control groups. They also show differences in blood flow in certain parts of the brain, as well as specific chemical abnormalities in ADHD subjects.

The studies on Essential Fatty Acid levels in ADHD subjects vs. non-ADHD subjects are interesting. The ADHD groups had significantly lower concentrations of key essential fatty acids than did the control groups, and about 40% of the ADHD group showed signs of EFA deficiency (increased thirst, frequent urination, dry skin, and dry hair). Low levels of Omega 6 EFAs contributed to higher incidents of illness (colds, flu, etc.), and deficits in Omega 3 EFAs contributed to problems with learning, behavior, sleep, and temper. These studies support the case for EFA supplementation as a part of the overall treatment approach to ADHD.

Genetic Studies on Attention Deficit Disorder show gene alterations that may contribute to ADHD in some children. They are especially looking at the DRD4 dopamine receptor gene. Familial Genetic Studies show that Attention Deficit Disorder runs in families. For example, a child with an older sibling with ADHD is 300% to 500% more likely to himself have Attention Deficit Disorder than is a child without ADHD siblings. Twin studies and Adoption studies are also included.

Is your head spinning yet? I hope so.

ADHD is a real disorder with a neurological basis. It impacts about 5% of the population in America, so it is a very real problem for a lot of people. Stop trying to make it into a myth or an excuse. It is a condition that can be treated, improved, helped, and overcome with the proper interventions. To learn more about ADHD visit the adhd information library.

Douglas Cowan, Psy.D., is a family therapist who has been working with ADHD children and their families since 1986. He is the clinical director of the ADHD Information Library's family of seven web sites, including adhd information library, helping over 350,000 parents and teachers learn more about ADHD each year. Dr. Cowan also serves on the Medical Advisory Board of VAXA International of Tampa, FL., is President of the Board of Directors for KAXL 88.3 FM in central California, and is President of NewIdeas.net Incorporated.

green cleaning service Park Ridge ..

In The News:

Your home address is easily accessible on people finder sites, putting you at risk for stalking and identity theft, but data removal services can help protect your personal information.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents

Robot combat evolves at Unitree's Iron Fist King event as G1 robots face off in China, featuring knockouts, precise strikes and agile machines that can perform side flips.

Take control of your digital privacy with actionable tips like Facebook privacy checkup, location tracking management and data removal services to protect your personal information.

Smart TVs and streaming devices manufactured in China are being compromised by BadBox 2.0 malware before users even power them on; infections have been detected in 222 countries.

The lightweight, 15-pound Tenniix tennis robot mimics pro playing styles like Nadal and Federer, using AI trained on 8,000 hours of professional tennis data.

Oak Ridge's uranium enrichment facility supports America's AI ambitions amid concerns that China's aggressive nuclear reactor construction could give it an edge in powering data centers.

Facebook scam ads now leverage AI and deepfakes to create convincing celebrity endorsements, targeting specific demographics with sophisticated schemes.

Apple unveils iOS 26, macOS 26 Tahoe and iPadOS 26 with translucent Liquid Glass design at WWDC 2025, featuring ChatGPT integration as competitors advance rapidly.

The Atom Touch prosthetic arm combines an AI neural interface with EMG sensors, allowing amputees to control individual fingers with precision at an affordable $25,000.

Aspen officials aim to have crews on the scene within five minutes — something they say would be nearly impossible without precise location data the AI technology gives.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says iPads are usually secure, but hackers can access them. Spot warning signs early to protect your data.

Tech expert Kurt Knutsson reveals how to easily move photos and videos off your iPhone or Android to securely protect your favorite moments.

The Social Security Administration is launching digital SSN access this summer. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson helps you learn how to use it and protect your identity.

Glide underwater with CudaJet and make the ocean your playground. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson discusses the redesigned tech that might be your next big thrilling adventure.

Protect yourself from login alert scams with five security steps, including avoiding suspicious links, checking account activity and enabling two-factor authentication

Skip the usual Father's Day gifts with personalized ideas for tech enthusiasts, home brewers, pool owners, seniors, outdoor lovers and privacy-conscious dads.

DMV text scam alert: Fraudsters impersonating motor vehicle departments nationwide are sending threatening messages about unpaid tickets and tolls to steal your information.

Fox News' AI Newsletter brings you the latest on this rapidly evolving technology.

E-BAR, MIT's mobile robot, provides physical support for seniors with handlebars that follow from behind, helping prevent falls while maintaining dignity for aging adults.

AI is changing everything – now, we can even use it to generate video. I tried OpenAI's Sora and Google's Veo – here's how they measure up against each other.

Five simple phone setting tweaks that make your device work harder for you, from automatic text message deletion to scheduled focus modes.

Android users can save time with 10 simple automations, including automatic battery saver mode, location-based Wi-Fi settings and scheduled "Do Not Disturb" mode.

Personal information from 364,000 people was compromised in a LexisNexis data breach that went undetected for months, highlighting privacy risks.

The Phantom 3500 jet features a windowless design that reduces drag and structural weak points, burning 50% less fuel than conventional business jets.

I Dont Believe in ADHD

Parenting