ADHD and dynamic dysregulation of brain activity

For a long time (since 1998) I am interested in ADHD. I have a somewhat different point of view to most health professionals concerning attention and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) . I think it is a rather individual syndrome (not always a disorder) characterized by a different type of dynamic brain regulation.

However, it is not so easy to define what we mean by regulation dynamics. It is even more difficult to objectify this, i. e. to make it somehow objective in a scientific way.

ADD - Forum Berlin

Within the framework of a small but very fine group of experts in Germany , we have been discussing concepts of ADHD as a dynamic regulatory disturbance or special features in the area of vigilance / arousal for 25 years. Our group is not well known to the scientific society. But some of our members eg Cordula Neuhaus are well known in Europe with long experience in ADHD and autism.

Ongoing regulatory problems and getting it right.

For example, the Berlin physician Dr. Droll has already proven over many years in special measurements in the EEG that there is evidence of a different kind of regulatory dynamics. This particular reaction style leads to the fact that children, adolescents and adults with an ADHD constitution react differently in certain situations or have to "make themselves right" in certain behavioural peculiarities. Alone to maintain a certain basic activation. But also as an attempt to regulate oneself "down".

While there was a long discussion among experts about whether ADHD or even the hyperkinetic disorder of social behaviour should be regarded as a behavioural disorder of the child or as an inability of the parents or whether the diagnosis classification according to the ICD criteria for hyperactivity, impulsiveness and concentration was disputed, we were already interested in the particularities in the areas for a long time:

• inner basic tension / alertness (Arousal)
• Sleep or shift in sleep-wake rhythm
• Irritating openness in case of weak filters
• Emotional dysregulation (affective instability or intermittent dysphoria)
• and especially the peculiarities resulting from the different perception and reaction style.

Research at the University of Leipzig

Currently, according to my subjective perception, the University Hospital for Psychiatry in Leipzig is one of the innovative contact points for ADHD. The head of the clinic there, Prof. Hegerl, is an absolute contact point for depression. In addition, the department or Hegerl itself is very much concerned with the topic of vigilance disorders and possible considerations such as bipolar disorders as a disorder of the internal vigilance / arousal can be understood.

These considerations have now probably been extended to the ADHD area. PD Dr. Strauss is a very good contact point for adults from the ADHD spectrum, both in diagnostics and research.

A recent publication by the working group now defines ADHD as a kind of autoregulation peculiarity that can possibly be objectified in the EEG. It is about understanding an unstable excitation of the brain excitation or inhibition = brake as cause for sensation seeking = the search for the constant kick or new things and motor restlessness. And then to understand the resulting problems of this permanent instability anew in the sense of underexcitation or exhaustion.

More about their work http://www.psy-journal.com/article/S0165-1781(17)31644-X/fulltext

Have you made similar experiences with your children or yourself ?