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  • BDD Moderators: Keif’ Richards

ADHD, stimulants and dopamine

Rio Fantastic

Rio Fantastic

Bluelighter
Joined
Feb 19, 2009
Messages
1,727
Location
Birmingham
Hello,

I have a simple question though I fear the answer may be rather complex. So the current theory on ADHD is that it's due to a deficency of dopamine in the synapse, right? This is treated with stimulants that increase the amount of dopamine available in the synapse, so increasing motivation, attention etc. My question is why is there a hyperactivity part of ADHD, when hyperactivity is usually associated with having lots of dopamine, like the hyperactivity caused by drugs like speed or meth. Surely one would expect people with a deficiency of dopamine to be the opposite of hyperactive?
 
I don't know the science behind it but when you put a kid that had "ADHD" on adderal they tend to shut the fuck up and it eliminates any bit of personality they have pretty well.
 
I don't really believe in the deficiency theories. ADD/ADHD sufferers yes often experience a good deal of hyperactivity associated with shortened/impaired attention. Amphetamines don't act in some magic way to ADD/ADHD sufferers, they pretty much do the same thing for everyone. They increase attention span, motivation, stimulation, focus, endurance, mood etc. A person prone to having problems with attention will notice a difference on amphetamines for sure, they increase everyone's attention/awareness/motivation, and allow those who take them to be efficient and productive. So, I believe ADD/ADHD isn't caused by chemical imbalance, but I do believe drugs like amphetamines can help a good deal with the symptoms.
 
Alex000 said:
I don't really believe in the deficiency theories. ADD/ADHD sufferers yes often experience a good deal of hyperactivity associated with shortened/impaired attention. Amphetamines don't act in some magic way to ADD/ADHD sufferers, they pretty much do the same thing for everyone. They increase attention span, motivation, stimulation, focus, endurance, mood etc. A person prone to having problems with attention will notice a difference on amphetamines for sure, they increase everyone's attention/awareness/motivation, and allow those who take them to be efficient and productive. So, I believe ADD/ADHD isn't caused by chemical imbalance, but I do believe drugs like amphetamines can help a good deal with the symptoms.
Click to expand...

I thought people with ADHD often experienced a paradoxic calming effect from stimulants?
 
Rio Fantastic said:
I thought people with ADHD often experienced a paradoxic calming effect from stimulants?
Click to expand...

I don't

However, consider Aktasia and psychomotor agitation caused by neuroleptics/dopamine antagonists....(esp the nasty ones like haldol and risperidal)the block of dopamine makes the person agitated and appear hyper-active, maybe ADHD is similar?
 
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