Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

StuartGotz t1_j6devtz wrote

Reply to comment by [deleted] in What makes it difficult to determine whether nutrient deficiencies are implicated in mental-health issues like ADHD? by LinguisticsTurtle

This is an important philosophical issue. There are 4 Ds in whether something is diagnosed or considered a dsiorder:

  1. Deviance: Varying from the norm, the average of society. This is useful in come situation, like diagnosing memory decline in possible Alzheimer's disease. However, by itself it can overemphasize conformity, which is a problem.
  2. Distress - Is what the person,s experiencing creating some kind of distress or suffering. People used to think of schizophrenia as a “sane response to an insane world”, but really they are suffering horribly as a result of this.
  3. Dysfunction - Does it interfere with a person's ability to get through their day, support themselves, accomplish the things they would like to accomplish.
  4. Dangerousness - This is more of a consideration in forensic settings

ADHD is a spectrum on which we all fall, but the extreme cases that are diagnosed meet the distress and dysfunction criteria.

3

_onemanband_ t1_j6dgys5 wrote

What about poverty? That could meet these criteria. Or traumatic experiences? At what point should behaviours (inattention, hyperactivity) be considered a disorder contained within an individual, rather than a product of circumstance?

1

Adhd_ambassador t1_j6dw7cu wrote

Thank you. How are people not able to comprehend this view point.

Yes, psychiatry has defined disorder. And the definition is relative. Relative to what the ‘norm’ is set as. The norm being whatever the majority find tolerable.

Regardless of the fact that we’ve been existing in the current (ever changing) social form for a fraction of the time humans have been around.

By this definition being a blond, pale skinned person prone to skin cancer and surname burn, in Australia, would be ‘disordered’. However because the adaptational difference is easily observable we do not designate it as such, we just understand that those genes are not adapted for that environment.

Adhd is no different. It’s an adaptation suited to some things more than others. It can only ever be a disorder by relative standards and in specific situations.

While this doesn’t take away from the idea that adhd people in this society need help and understanding, it is incorrect and inaccurate to label it a disorder. Since this implies some form of malfunctioning of what would otherwise be normal.

The label of ‘disorder’ in relation to adhd will eventually be seen as backwards, ignorant and offensive in the same way as racist terms are today. Watch this space.

Cutting edge studies support everything I have said. But like all areas of science and understanding; what is commonly known by those at the forefront takes forever to trickle down to those in schools, institutions, the media and the average Joe.

0