Let us now wax philosophical.
One discussion has repeatedly cropped up between my ex and myself concerning psychiatry is the idea of what is normal. From my point of view, as an athiest, I view religious people as suffering from a delusion. In other words, if you believe in God, you must be delusional or mentally ill.
My ex laughs and explains that psychiatry and psychology openly use the concept of what is 'culturally normal.' For example, homosexuality was considered a psychological disorder in the same way as pedophilia still is. When homosexuality became more acceptable, psychiatry changed to say that homosexuality was only a disorder if the patient was uncomfortable with it. Then it was the only disorder classified as a disorder when the patient said so, and considered normal if the patient said so. Now, of course, it is not considered an abnormality or disorder at all.
Culture does determine what we consider a disorder.
So once again, does ADHD exist, or are these kids with lower than 'normal' dopamine levels just being marginalized by a cultural bias towards a particular behavior set? That is why she said, "...if it exists at all.." What constitutes abnormal dopamine levels? Who determines the range?
In my life, I see that children are pushed harder and expected to do more at ever earlier ages. I began kindergarten at age five. It lasted one-half day that included a nap time and a milk and cookies time. We learned the alphabet and how to count. I learned to read in first grade at age six.
Now, we expect kids to be reading by age four or five. Daycare is called preschool and lasts all day. By six they are doing book reports and presenting them to the class.
My personal feelings are that the greater expectations of children in general, in our one-size-fits all education system, are marginalizing children that during my childhood years, would not have been considered abnormal at all. Thus the diagnosis of ADHD is born.
