The information presented in this article does not claim to be the ultimate truth, but only reflects the point of view of its author.

This diagnosis is made quite often, especially when parents turn to a psychologist with a child’s problem behavior, which either does not obey them, or does not do well at school, or both the first and the second. The United States and Western civilization are driving the detection and treatment of this disorder. In the World Health Organization, it is customary to use the international classification of diseases, according to which ADHD is a “neurological-behavioral disorder”.

Symptoms of this disease are difficulty concentrating, hyperactivity, and poorly controlled impulsivity. In the United States and some European countries, it is customary to treat this disease with medication. Those. Psychiatrists, usually psychiatrists rather than psychologists, prescribe drugs such as ritolin and amphetamines, which are narcotic and addictive to these drugs. Ritolin is even called “baby cocaine”, presumably among its side effects may even be suicidal risk. These drugs help to cope with attention deficit disorder for a while and do not have a long-term effect. It is believed, however, that after some time the child “outgrows” the disease. It may happen that in a few years he will get rid of this ailment, and everything will be all right for him. But this does not always happen. What could be hiding in these four letters, ADHD? 

There are situations when a child is simply stupid, or lazy, or spoiled. Therefore, he does not obey his parents and does not do well at school. It may be that the situation is the opposite: he has excessive talent for active activities, he is forced to play chess, and he is not averse to going to drive the puck with a club or kick the ball. Circumstances can vary greatly from case to case.

Overall, it can be said that there are two major problems associated with ADHD. First, there is a diagnostic problem. The diagnosis is made on the basis of parental statements or parental observation of their child’s behavior. The second problem has to do with treatment. There is no generally accepted treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The treatment used in the USA, i.e. medication, with the use of psychotropic drugs is in great doubt. Including Western psychiatrists. Many scientists, including Michelle Foucault or psychiatrist and UK psychiatrist Samy Timimi, argue that ADHD is a cultural disorder and not a scientifically recognized fact. And this diagnosis with subsequent treatment should be abandoned. In addition, the diagnosis is somewhat “sexist”, since it is given twice as much to boys as to girls. Apparently, due to the fact that it is boys who are more disobedient in schools and more often do not obey their parents. 

British scientist Sami Timimi notes that in the modern scientific society the emphasis is not on science, but on culture. And Western culture of neoliberalism treats children and their behavior in terms of success, not health and well-being. Thus, the “cultural” point of view is that children must learn to be successful in life, to work and function as a well-oiled machine. The person is important as a function.

Unfortunately, Russian society often follows the path of Americanization of various spheres of social life, including psychology.