ADHD Does Not Exist: The Truth About Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder [9780062266736]

Overview

In this groundbreaking and controversial book, behavioral neurologist Dr. Richard Saul draws on five decades of experience treating thousands of patients labeled with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder—one of the fastest growing and widely diagnosed conditions today—to argue that ADHD is actually a cluster of symptoms stemming from over 20 other conditions and disorders.

According to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 6.4 million children between the ages of four and seventeen have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. While many skeptics believe that ADHD is a fabrication of drug companies and the medical establishment, the symptoms of attention-deficit and hyperactivity are all too real for millions of individuals who often cannot function without treatment. If ADHD does not exist, then what is causing these debilitating symptoms?

Over the course of half a century, physician Richard Saul has worked with thousands of patients demonstrating symptoms of ADHD. Based on his experience, he offers a shocking conclusion: ADHD is not a condition on its own, but rather a symptom complex caused by over twenty separate conditions—from poor eyesight and giftedness to bipolar disorder and depression—each requiring its own specific treatment. Drawing on in-depth scientific research and real-life stories from his numerous patients, ADHD Does not Exist synthesizes Dr. Saul's findings, and offers and clear advice for everyone seeking answers.

This book reveals the true causes of these symptoms and provides a clear path to accurate diagnosis:

• A Symptom Checklist: Learn to identify the key signs that point away from ADHD and toward one of over twenty other treatable disorders, from vision problems to sleep disorders.
• Underlying Mood Disorders: Understand the surprising link between attention issues and conditions like bipolar disorder or depression, and why treating the mood disorder can resolve the ADHD symptoms.
• The Stimulant Epidemic: A clear-eyed look at the side effects and dangers of stimulant medications like Ritalin and Adderall, and why they are often a band-aid for a misdiagnosis.
• An Action Plan for Parents: Practical, step-by-step advice for parents and adults on how to work with doctors, evaluate symptoms, and advocate for the right testing and treatment.
• Not a Disorder: Discover why giftedness, learning disabilities, or even sensory processing issues can be mistaken for ADHD, and how to find the right support instead of the wrong label.