by Harriet Cooke MD, MPH & Rachel Levy, LCSW
It is dangerous to be right on matters on which the established authorities are wrong. –Voltaire, 1751
Hyperactivity. Lack of focus. Impulsive behavior. Trouble following rules. Difficulty with organization. Many people believe these are symptoms of a disorder, and that medication is necessary to treat this condition. There is a wide movement of dissent, however, that questions the temptation to lump all people with these behaviors into the same condition.
When do such behaviors constitute a disorder? When is ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) simply ADHB (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Behavior)? And is this behavior even a disorder, or simply a personality type? Or is a product of our culture?
