Atlas

From 1902 to 1980 it was about "little boys who couldn't sit still"
Not so much a behaviour problem but a problem with the brain's management system.
Attention problems tend to be much more problematic than behaviour problems.
Not connected to IQ at all.
They can't stay in tune with things - attention drifts much more than most people.
Huge problem with distraction. Trying to watch tv, all the signals are coming at the same time.
Distraction isn't consistent - some things where they have no trouble paying attention.
All the problems of ADHD are things everyone has problems with sometimes.
"My mind is a great sprinter, it's a lousy distance runner"
Many times difficulty managing emotions - some little frustration can cause a 9/10 anger response. "Computer virus in the head" thing - difficult to put it in the back of their mind.
Working memory - if you ask them about something that happened a few minutes ago they won't be able to.
Not that they didn't have it, they couldn't retrieve it when they needed it.
Difficulty slowing down when they need to slow down and speeding up when they need to speed up.
The evidence shows it's mostly inherited.
What's happening in the brain
- 100 billion neurons - electrical pulses that jump from one to another
- The brain makes chemicals to help send and receive these electric pulses - we think ADHD people doesn't effectively produce and manage those chemicals.