Follow up to the Neuroscience of ADHD Discussion

I'm sure that won't placate certain readers. For some, if they can't hold it in their hands and see it, they don't accept it.

PalMD, neurochemical-electrical models of the brain are steadily expanding. Someday, they'll replace much of the subjective assessments upon which ADHD is primarily based.

...and until that day, we do the best that empirical evidence allows...there are a subset of trolls here who think that that is...improper.

I'm rather excited to see this. The comments attached to your excellent post on the neuroscience of ADHD got me rather riled, spawning a series of postings at my own blog. I really appreciated your original post and Joseph's as well. Thank you very much.

Not to be a troll. ;-)

Check this out.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,293182,00.html

I know it's Faux News... It would be nice if they would cite some of the studies. And of course it only covers about 1/2 the cases.

But it's interesting nonetheless. And 50% is a big number if it holds out over larger population studies.

John -

Severe ADHD here, had my tonsils out when I was seven.

DuWayne,

I hope you didn't interpret my posting the link to that story as meaning that I think ADHD is a myth or that I think all cases can be cured by removing tonsils. I don't think either of those things.

However, it is possible the symptoms of ADHD can be caused by factors other than the ones that caused yours. Perhaps some diagnoses are a little too quick. I don't have a stake in this except to worry that maybe too many children are being drugged because they are too rambunctious and the teacher complained and a doctor agreed with her/him... etc.

Drugs alter the way a brain develops. They are clearly necessary in many cases but, especially for children (i.e. anyone under 21), I think a lot of care should be taken and alternatives fully examined before a prescription is written. I think that there are too many "quick fix" doctors out there.

John -

I agree that there are many different factors that can cause the same symptoms. I also have issues with just doping kids up, right off the bat. Unfortunately, it happens all too often. That said, I think we're trending away from such overmedicating. It's slow going, but I think that more and more parents are keen on using meds as an absolute last resort. I have a son who is ADHD as well and will do everything in my power to keep from medicating, if it's avoidable.

An interesting aside, and something that makes me mildly less reticent to medicate my son, is that there are a few interesting studies out that indicate that children with ADHD who are medicated for it as a child, have a lower likelyhood of substance abuse as adults. As I have had serious struggles with substance abuse as an adult, I am looking into them with great interest. My only fear is that the studies might be contaminated with too many mis-diagnosis.

...and until that day, we do the best that empirical evidence allows..

But that's the point: you go beyond what the empirical evidence allows, and then shriek when it's pointed out that your claims aren't supportable.

What's nice about science is that it cuts right through other people's silly ideas. The 'downside' is that it cuts through our own silly ideas, too, and no one likes that. But, as the saying goes, to be a scientist you must be willing to kill your children.

I also had my tonsils out around 7, and have somewhat mildish ADD (not diagnosed until college).