| At its core, ADHD's main mechanistic difference is undeniably an executive function deficit -- the frontal lobe not being activated enough to properly regulate functions of the rest of the brain or exert executive planning and follow-through. The "paradoxical" effects of ADHD stimulant-type medications is the most direct indicator that this is indeed the case: taking a CNS stimulant normally causes more arousal, agitation, and activity in NT individuals. But in ADHD individuals, CNS stimulants up-regulate frontal lobe activity, which manifests as a relaxant, since the frontal lobe is doing a better job of regulating and stabilizing the rest of the brain. Executive function also improves considerably. So the most objectively measurable symptom of ADHD is whether this paradoxical behavioral alteration occurs from taking a CNS stimulant. You can argue all you like about whether ADHD is within this or that percentile threshold -- but you can't argue with a proven, consistent, clinical result that points strongly to under-functioning of the frontal lobe in individuals with ADHD. I've experienced this myself. My quality of life is profoundly different after taking Ritalin. I feel more relaxed; the buzzing and noise in my head is significantly reduced. I stop feeling the profound urge to get distracted like Doug the dog from the movie Up: ... "squirrel!" |
Hence the MASSIVE problem of undiagnosed ADHD that can lead into drug abuse just like with my brother who got hooked on speed and heroin, even built a small business on that, not that that was any good in front of the judge...
Estimates on the drug addicted prison population having ADHD are way above the general population, just think they could have been kept from getting into drugs, committing crimes etc if only they had been diagnosed and treated early enough! Same for people who suffer from depression.