ADHD's Dynamic History: The Effects of Continuously Changing Diagnostic Criteria

 

Dr. Ballas

 

Thanks so much for this very interesting post. I can attest, first hand, to seeing the many changes of the diagnostic criteria throughout the years, as I am sure many other readers can as well. My son is 23 and in 1985 when he was born, there was so little information about ADHD available. Prior to that, I knew people who had been diagnosed with "minimal brain dysfunction" and "severe hyperactivity" but interestingly enough, sometimes, these two very diagnosis were not put together but seen as two different disorders. Today, the diagnosis of ADHD is made instead.

 

It is good to see how much more information is available and how much knowledge we have gained over the years. Hopefully, as we continue to learn more, we will be able to help even more people lead improved lives.

 

Eileen

im a mum of 3 kids and my 5 yr old son kieran was diagnosed last may with absense seizure epilepsy on top of that he is showin symptoms of adhd im waitin 4 his school doc gettin bk 2 the school is is it possible get 2 adhd on top of absense seizure epilepsy he has been like that since he could walk and talk and its just in the last yr that people have bin askin me if he has adhd with the way he goes

  I am a 48 year old female , a Registered Nurse, Mom, Wife , and someone who has suffered with ADHD since the 1960's.  As a young child the Teaching Professionals would comment, " She's too hyper, bounces around, doesn't sit still and will need to be placed in a special school.  In the 1960's the treatment was Benzodiazapines, Phenobarbital was the one they chose for me.  The problem with the Phenobarb was the stupor it left me in, and no recollection of the days activities.  Along came Ritalin, sometime in the 70's, but my Parent's didn't want me treated with ,"that stuff".  Treatments for Allergies seemed to help decrease the overactive immune system, it felt better to not have a runny nose and eczema all the time.  I found as I went through puberty, kept active and really focused on my studies that I could be a fairly good student.  I ended up in Who's Who in American Highschool in my Junior year, worked hard and felt a sense of acomplishment.  However; I found out that I still had problems with the ADHD after I got married and tried to work as a Registered Nurse.  Little things would drive my Husband nuts, as well as the fertility problems I seemed to have, and People I worked with couldn't understand why it was hard for me to ,"slow down", or why I would get upset so easily.  I finally found a Psychiatrist that would treat me for the ADHD and not just for Depression and anxiety.  I now am stabilized on 72mg of Concerta a day, as well as, Cymbalta and Clonazepam.  I can actually stay calm, except if I'm overly tired, and deal with my Hospice Patients.  Currently I'm pursuing my degree as a Nurse Practioner, was recently named to Who's Who in Nursing 2008-2009, Madison Who's Who and Empire Who's Who.  Not bad for a Woman that was told as a child I was retarded.  I feel that someday someone will realize that ADHD is an advantage, not a disadvantage.