There have been documents and records about ADHD since the Middle Ages, and as ADHD primarily arises from genetic factors, it is now believed that ADHD was a personality trait even in the times of hunters and gatherers. Educational measures and medical perspectives, however, only developed from the late 19th century onwards. 

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Let's start.....

....in 1902: in his scientific article "The Coulstonian lectures on some abnormal physical conditions in children”, George Frederic Still described a "defective moral control - biologically based, i.e., congenital or pre-/postnatal impairment" as follows: 

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 "Extreme motor restlessness, abnormal inability to maintain attention, with normal intelligence. More common in boys, malicious, destructive, violent, unresponsive to punishment, often with a specific physical appearance (e.g., high arched palate), little relation to the child's education and home environment, usually a poor prognosis." 

-> many of these children came from chaotic families but had adequate upbringing. 

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Further scientific studies & articles on the subject can also be found in the years 1908 by Alfred F. Tregold / 1932 by Kramer and Pollnow / 1937 by Charles Bradley / 1954 by G. Göllnitz / 1960 by Stella Chess. 

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Recognising the more recent Milestones

Since the 1980s, standardised diagnostic methods have been developed, and research into the causes has intensified. In 1987, the condition was officially named ADHD (Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity-Disorder). 

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In the 1990s, research into the causes of ADHD expanded further. An important milestone was the recognition that ADHD often does not "grow out", but does in fact continue into and throughout adulthood. 

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A further, significant foundation for today's understanding of ADHD was laid in the 2000s: in 2005, Faraone demonstrated that ADHD meets all the criteria for a valid psychiatric disorder. 

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Today's Status Quo

Since then, extensive research continues internationally, leading to important new insights. One of the most significant findings is that the condition is also as common in girls as it is in boys, though it often presents itself with different symptoms. Girls are often less noticeable because they tend to show less outward hyperactivity and impulsivity. To account for the fact that ADHD can exist without visible restlessness and hyperactivity, the term "ADD" (Attention-Deficit-Disorder) was introduced in addition to ADHD. 

 

In recent years, this growing understanding and increased awareness, as well as breaking the taboo surrounding ADHD, have also led to more cases being "late-diagnosed" in adults (especially in women, who as girls had been undiagnosed or even misdiagnosed, due to their typically less obvious and different symptoms). 

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Based on recent scientific research and findings, the official diagnosis is generally defined as ADHD and divided into sub-types, which are: 
 

1) primarily inattentive presentation (also known as ADD) 

2) primarily hyperactive-impulsive presentation 

3) combined presentation (a mix of 1 & 2) 

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Extensive studies and resulting findings in science and medicine have led to the common understanding that the cause in all three sub-types is a deficit of the neurotransmitter dopamine. This deficit leads to brain developments that deviate from the so-called "norm." The dopamine deficiency is also the reason for the challenges with information processing, emotional regulation and concentration, which children as well as adults with ADHD often face. There is also new evidence suggesting that brain development in children and adolescents might occur more slowly compared to those with "neuro-typical" brain patterns. 

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The dopamine deficit is not a result of insufficient production though. ADHD brains generally produce dopamine like their neuro-typical counterparts. Instead, the produced dopamine is not delivered in the required amount to the receptors, which arrange for the dopamine to be delivered throughout our body-system. The receptors are therefore not equipped with the necessary quantity of dopamine to be transferred around the brain and body as needed. 

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It’s important to note that not everything about ADHD’s causes, effects, symptoms, and development from childhood to adulthood is yet understood, and further studies are conducted as we speak, with all us hoping that even more light will be shed into this complex topic. 

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🙌 The Amazing, but often overlooked positive traits of ADHD

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🤩 spontaneous, highly empathetic helpfulness

🤩 a strong sense of generosity 

🤩 a high level of openness and curiosity for everything new 

🤩 a broad openness to all possibilities – "The sky is the limit" 

🤩 a great love for animals and nature 

🤩 a high sensitivity to the moods of people close to them 

🤩 amazing creativity 

🤩 enthusiasm and quick fascination (especially with unknown or new things) 

🤩 prompt and confident reactions when it really counts 

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And yet... the Struggle is Real 🤷‍♀️

 

ADHD can lead to the following difficulties in everyday life, and perhaps these are the issues which have made you visit our page to start with:

 

🤨 a very short attention span for topics that are not perceived as interesting

(congrats if you actually made it all the way to down here 😉)
 

🤨 extreme focus on topics perceived as exciting (often referred to as “hyperfocus”),
which can lead to long phases of concentration and withdrawal from the outside world
(forgetting to eat, drink, keep appointments, etc.) 
 

🤨 Physical hyperactivity 

🤨 Mental hyperactivity (“overthinking,” daydreaming, hypothetical conversations, self-talk, etc.) 

🤨 Procrastination of disliked activities until the very last minute 

🤨 Mood swings, emotional outbursts 

🤨 Impatience and constant inner restlessness 

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🤨 Lack of time awareness and difficulty estimating effort (“time blindness,”

constantly being late or too early, miscalculating how much time tasks will take) 

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🤨 Difficulties with executive function, meaning challenges in completing tasks

(knowing what to do and how to do it but being unable to execute) 

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🤨 Challenges in maintaining relationships 

  

You and your ADHD

Since you’ve ended up here on our website, we assume that you and your ADHD haven't quite come to terms with each other yet. But there is good news: there are many ways and tools that can help you and your ADHD become good friends. And we’re here to help. We’ll make sure you and your ADHD find common ground and that you feel (once again) comfortable with yourself and within your life.
 

And whether you decide to take medication or are considering trying it, you can also talk about your thoughts on it with us -> though we are not medical professionals and cannot offer medical advice on medication, prescribe or hand out any medication.

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Let us know how we can help you 🤗. Simply send us an e-mail to welcome@its-all-about-you.ch, or use our contact form.

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We look forward to meeting you and your ADHD ☺️!

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