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?
Steve McCrea, MS is an educator, counselor and author with over 30 years of social services experience. He is the father of three boys, two of whom exhibited all the classic symptoms of ADHD. In addition to doing years of literature research into the ADHD phenomenon, Steve helped create the Trillium Charter School, a child-focused K-12 learning environment where his youngest son thrived. Steve is also the author of “Jerk Radar: How to Stop a Bad Relationship Before It Starts,” a practical guide to avoiding abusive relationships.
