Facebook Follies of Friends and Families

[crazy canuck]

Now that we know how damaging social media and video games are to ability to focus, concentration and attention, it is not at all surprising that the symptoms of ADHD has spiked, and since we are not doing anything to address the root cause (and the number of kids who are raised by screens increases) it will become the norm.

And autism is caused by vaccines. While the stuff you mention may contribute to symptoms becoming more pronounced, and while there's a still some discussions about the root causes of ADHD, genetics/inheriting it from parents seems to be a main cause - screens, games, etc. probably makes it more visible, and indulges the impulsive unfocused minds more.

I don't understand your attempted analogy.  There is overwhelming evidence of the impact of social media and video games on the mental faculties that are also associated with the diagnosis of ADHD. 

Genetics does not explain the massive spike in ADHD, the massive spike in activities that damage us does.

[crazy canuck]

This article provides a good overview: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3927422/

E.g. from the article, my mother's smoking during pregnancy very likely contributed; though looking back at my family, my father also showed strong traits of ADHD and/or Aspergers (there's a strong comorbidity).

If mothers smoking was a main cause then we would have seen the spike long before it happened.

[crazy canuck]

How big percentage of the population must be diagnosed with it for it to no longer be a disorder?

Why would it not be considered a disorder.  It's like obesity, very common.

[Syt]

I don't understand your attempted analogy.  There is overwhelming evidence that social media and video games on the mental faculties that are also associated with the diagnosis of ADHD. 

Genetics does not explain the massive spike in ADHD, the massive spike in activities that damage us does.

Sorry for coming off gruff, but that kind of comment is a bit of a bug bear of mine.

As said, I think there's more awareness on the one side (e.g. in Germany, till 2000 adult ADHD was considered to not exist; people who had ADHD and never knew are now realizing it and seek diagnoses). The modern media environment may inspire behaviors that look similar on the surface, but I'm not convinced they're causing ADHD but rather similar behaviors and/or disorders.

E.g. a "classic" trait of ADHD (I'm careful to generalize because everyone's experience is different) is seemingly doing nothing, i.e. sitting on the couch or lying in bed, and screaming at yourself in your head to do a thing - can be a chore you need to do, or something that you actually want and look forward to doing like playing a game or reading a book or watching a show, but being utterly unable to do so.

Elementary, ADHD is understood to be a developmental issue of the brain that is impeding executive function. I.e. you want your brain to do a thing, but can't. That can be focusing on something, stopping to focus on something (hyperfocus), sort your thoughts, ... it's usually a lack of dopamine and similar brain chemicals. Which is why stimulants often act calming (and one of the main drugs to treat the symptoms is literally amphetamines). Coffee makes me sleepy. I've had times where I had three energy drinks at night to try get some stuff done and basically passed out tired. The "chasing of dopamine" often leads to bad behavior - drug addictions, impulse buys (that's me), risky sexual behavior, danger seeking, etc. etc.

Again, I agree that our (social) media landscape seems to indulge and foster such behavior and that is detrimental in general, but ADHD is more than "Ooh, squirrel!"

These are the current DSM-5 diagnostic criteria:


We can argue if 6+ or 5+ symptoms are sufficient or not, but also note that the symptoms must persist for a longer period and in multiple settings.

For adult diagnosis often parents or siblings are asked for input as well (to confirm existing symptoms in childhood). Fortunately for me, I had a couple of my old school report cards that ... well, they had comments from teachers on them that painted a clear picture. And that was in the early 80s, before I spent as much time in front of a screen as I do now.

[Syt]

This article provides a good overview: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3927422/

E.g. from the article, my mother's smoking during pregnancy very likely contributed; though looking back at my family, my father also showed strong traits of ADHD and/or Aspergers (there's a strong comorbidity).

If mothers smoking was a main cause then we would have seen the spike long before it happened.

It's a likely contributing factor, but genetics seem to be predominant. Sorry, shouldn't have said "very likely", but it's a risk factor that was present for me (my mom smoked a pack a day, every day (and often more), for 60+ years).

[viper37]

This article provides a good overview: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3927422/

E.g. from the article, my mother's smoking during pregnancy very likely contributed; though looking back at my family, my father also showed strong traits of ADHD and/or Aspergers (there's a strong comorbidity).

If mothers smoking was a main cause then we would have seen the spike long before it happened.

Just like autism, diagnosis is required to identify the problem.

"lunatic" was a common word in my father's vocabulary, and people of his age (like most of my teachers) to describe people who would be now considered ADHD and/or Aspergers. 

But there weren't widespread tests for these conditions, and it wasn't talked about much either.

[crazy canuck]

I don't understand your attempted analogy.  There is overwhelming evidence that social media and video games on the mental faculties that are also associated with the diagnosis of ADHD. 

Genetics does not explain the massive spike in ADHD, the massive spike in activities that damage us does.

Sorry for coming off gruff, but that kind of comment is a bit of a bug bear of mine.

As said, I think there's more awareness on the one side (e.g. in Germany, till 2000 adult ADHD was considered to not exist; people who had ADHD and never knew are now realizing it and seek diagnoses). The modern media environment may inspire behaviors that look similar on the surface, but I'm not convinced they're causing ADHD but rather similar behaviors and/or disorders.

E.g. a "classic" trait of ADHD (I'm careful to generalize because everyone's experience is different) is seemingly doing nothing, i.e. sitting on the couch or lying in bed, and screaming at yourself in your head to do a thing - can be a chore you need to do, or something that you actually want and look forward to doing like playing a game or reading a book or watching a show, but being utterly unable to do so.

Elementary, ADHD is understood to be a developmental issue of the brain that is impeding executive function. I.e. you want your brain to do a thing, but can't. That can be focusing on something, stopping to focus on something (hyperfocus), sort your thoughts, ... it's usually a lack of dopamine and similar brain chemicals. Which is why stimulants often act calming (and one of the main drugs to treat the symptoms is literally amphetamines). Coffee makes me sleepy. I've had times where I had three energy drinks at night to try get some stuff done and basically passed out tired. The "chasing of dopamine" often leads to bad behavior - drug addictions, impulse buys (that's me), risky sexual behavior, danger seeking, etc. etc.

Again, I agree that our (social) media landscape seems to indulge and foster such behavior and that is detrimental in general, but ADHD is more than "Ooh, squirrel!"

These are the current DSM-5 diagnostic criteria:


We can argue if 6+ or 5+ symptoms are sufficient or not, but also note that the symptoms must persist for a longer period and in multiple settings.

For adult diagnosis often parents or siblings are asked for input as well (to confirm existing symptoms in childhood). Fortunately for me, I had a couple of my old school report cards that ... well, they had comments from teachers on them that painted a clear picture. And that was in the early 80s, before I spent as much time in front of a screen as I do now.

I think we are in agreement. I am not saying screens cause ADHD. My concern is all the people who don't have ADHD but claim their lack of concentration on having a medical condition they don't actually have rather than them spending hours on end on social media or videos games, or more likely both.

[Syt]

All good

[Josquius]

There's screening tests online. A good starting point is here: https://www.additudemag.com/ There's also this UK specific site (I listened to their podcast for a while; I generally liked them): https://www.adhdadult.uk/

At my workplace I know two others with diagnosed ADHD. Plus the wife of a co-worker.

I think it's getting more diagnosed now that people are more aware of it, though specialists for adults can still be hard to find. But you should get a proper clinical test if you think (or strongly suspect) you might have it. My GP referred me to a clinical psycholoigst who assessed me (and then when I started therapy and medication, the first sessions with the therapist and the doc who prescribes my meds were them basically re-doing the assessment). That said, finding specialists for adult ADHD can be tricky. I am lucky in that regard, but I also pay out of pocket for private doctor and therapist because the public health insurance coverage for non-physical ailments is a bit shit (only miniscule reimbursement, or long waiting lists), unfortunately, though they do cover my meds.

And yes, even with diagnosis I often felt like an imposter, because "others have it worse" or "I managed to live 40+ years with it", but then I look back and think about what life could have been like if I had gotten help earlier, because much of my life up 10, 15 years ago was a big fucking mess that I barely managed to have a grip on.

I live in the UK where even super serious you-might-die-soon mental illness isn't treat.
Stuff like adhd in adults is completely ignored. It would be pointless me even trying anything.
Will look into these tests though when I get time.

I suspect the only way I'll get anywhere with it is if my suspicions about one of my kids hold up. I've read of a fair few media folks being diagnosed in this way.
Would be nice to be controllably productive.

[Sophie Scholl]

New strategy for getting info out?
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[The Minsky Moment]

New strategy for getting info out?

Sure. Everyone likes puppies. But how are they going to communicate with people?

[Sophie Scholl]

That's the ??? of the profit strategy at the moment. 

[viper37]

New strategy for getting info out?
You cannot view this attachment.

Sure, but I'm not the target audience.  You need people who can read and understand what they read.  

[Razgovory]

E.g. a "classic" trait of ADHD (I'm careful to generalize because everyone's experience is different) is seemingly doing nothing, i.e. sitting on the couch or lying in bed, and screaming at yourself in your head to do a thing - can be a chore you need to do, or something that you actually want and look forward to doing like playing a game or reading a book or watching a show, but being utterly unable to do so.

Wait, seriously?  I've been crippled by that my entire life.  I don't think I've watched a movie in like an entire year because of that.  I can't bring myself to play most of my PC games because of this and I don't understand why.

[Razgovory]

<Sigh>