ADHD and the brain

Here’s an observation from psychologist Joseph Griffin, director of studies at the European Therapy Studies Institute, speaking, in this instance, about clinical depression.

“ ... when depressed people start talking about depression, they talk about waking up tired and unable to motivate themselves. All day long they feel low and emotional. Many describe how they have difficulty getting off to sleep because of emotional thoughts going round and round in their heads. And when it is explained to them how they are doing this to themselves, the explanation alone helps - and then the therapy we do with them is primarily aimed at helping them to stop all the negative ruminating. The common explanation that their doctors give them is that there is a chemical imbalance in their brain. But that’s a half-truth: the other half is that their low serotonin level is an index that their life isn’t working - their needs are not being met and they feel stuck - not that they’ve got something ‘wrong’ with their brain chemistry. Brain chemistry is not a cause, it is an effect.”

'New Scientist' interview with Joe Griffin, April 12th 2003

Dr. Peter Breggin is the founder of the International Center for the Study of Psychiatry and Psychology (ICSPP) and, for thirty years, has served as a medical expert in many civil and criminal suits including individual malpractice cases and product liability suits against the manufacturers of psychiatric drugs.

Here’s his explanation for the apparent confusion in the matter of changes in ‘brain chemistry’ as they relate to the diagnosis of ‘ADHD’:

“Advocates of ADHD and stimulant drugs have claimed that ADHD is associated with changes in the brain. In fact, both the NIH Consensus Development Conference (1998) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (2000) reports on ADHD have confirmed that there is no known biological basis for ADHD. Any brain abnormalities in these children are almost certainly caused by prior exposure to psychiatric medication.”

Peter R. Breggin M.D.
Testimony September 29, 2000
Before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
Committee on Education and the Workforce
U.S. House of Representatives

Next, ADHD and Brain Scans Part 4

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