the conceptual history of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: idiocy, imbecility, encephalitis and the child deviant, 1877?1929

Reichl

ADHD Atten Def Hyp Disord

et al. 2010

302

165

The contemporary concept of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as defined in the DSM-IV-TR (American Psychiatric Association 2000) is relatively new. Excessive hyperactive, inattentive, and impulsive children have been described in the literature since the nineteenth century. Some of the early depictions and etiological theories of hyperactivity were similar to current descriptions of ADHD. Detailed studies of the behavior of hyperactive children and increasing knowledge of brain function have changed the concepts of the fundamental behavioral and neuropathological deficits underlying the disorder. This article presents an overview of the conceptual history of modern-day ADHD.

Section: Postencephalitic Behavior Disordermentioning

confidence: 95%

Section: Defect Of Moral Control (Sir George Frederic Still 1868–1941)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Defect Of Moral Control (Sir George Frederic Still 1868–1941)mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

The history of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Reichl

ADHD Atten Def Hyp Disord

et al. 2010

302

165

Harvard Review of Psychiatry

“…77 During the period between Still's initial description and the listing of ADD in 1980, the diagnostic terms used to describe excessively hyperactive and inattentive children changed frequently, as did the claims for what caused the disorder. 78 What remained relatively consistent over the seven decades were the symptoms exhibited by the children.…”

Section: History Of Adhd and Stimulantsmentioning

confidence: 96%

ADHD and the Rise in Stimulant Use Among Children

Mayes

Bagwell

Erkulwater

2008

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) holds the distinction of being the most extensively studied pediatric mental disorder and one of the most controversial, in part because it is also the most commonly diagnosed mental disorder among minors. Currently, almost 8% of youth aged 4 to 17 years have a diagnosis of ADHD, and approximately 4.5% both have the diagnosis and are using a stimulant (methylphenidate or amphetamine) as treatment for the disorder. Yet a diagnosis of ADHD is not simply a private medical finding; it carries with it a host of policy ramifications. The enduring controversy over ADHD in the public arena therefore reflects the discomfort over what happens when science is translated into policies and rules that govern how children will be treated medically, educationally, and legally. This article (1) summarizes the existing knowledge of ADHD, (2) provides the relevant history and trends, (3) explains the controversy, (4) discusses what is and is not unique about ADHD and stimulant pharmacotherapy, (5) outlines future directions of research, and (6) concludes with a brief analysis of how two North Carolina counties have established community protocols that have improved the screening, treatment, and societal consensus over ADHD and stimulants.

“…These children had problems with concentration and sustained attention, as well, and could not learn from the consequences of their actions. The Goulstonian Lectures are commonly considered as the scientific starting point of ADHD history [18][19][20][21] . However, there are scattered but significant published historical medical, scientific and non-scientific reports, much prior to Still's lectures, of what is currently termed as ADHD.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Who says this is a modern disorder? The early history of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Martinez-Badía¹

2015

WJP

Author contributions: Martinez-Badía J has contributed substantially to the conception and design of the study, acquisition of data from historical sources, drafting the article, and final approval of the manuscript; Martinez-Raga J has contributed substantially to the conception and design of the study, acquisition of data from medical sources, drafting the article, and final approval of the manuscript.Conflict-of-interest statement: Martinez-Badía J reports no conflict of interest. Martinez-Raga J has received fees for serving as a speaker and as an advisory board member for Janssen, Shire, Juste, and Rovi Pharmaceuticals. No sources of funding were used in the preparation, review or approval of this manuscript. Core tip: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a highly prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder in children and in adults. Although the conceptualization and diagnosis of this disorder is often controversial it is not a modern invention. There are significant published historical medical, and non-scientific reports of individuals with symptoms of inattention, distractibility and over-activity, prior to the 20 th century, since the last quarter of the 18 th century. The present paper explores the early history of ADHD in the medical literature and in other historical sources, to gain better understanding of the roots and evolution of the conceptualization of this disorder.Martinez-Badía J, Martinez-Raga J. Who says this is a modern disorder? The early history of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. World J Psychiatr 2015; 5(4): 379-386 Available from: