Perspectives on Mental Health and Illness

Second written assignment due this week during tutorials.
Next two weeks of tutorials canceled:
- Week 7 (October 13 and 17) is canceled due to Thanksgiving long weekend.
- Week 8 (October 20 and 24) is canceled for study break.
Next Thursday, October 16, a “review” lecture will be held online.
Midterm exam scheduled for in-class on Tuesday, October 21.
No lecture on Thursday, October 23.

The midterm exam will occur in 1.5 weeks on Tuesday, October 21, during class.
Content will cover Weeks 1 to 7, including Chapters 1 to 10.
Students will have 1 hour and 40 minutes to complete the exam.
Exam structure:
- 40 multiple choice or true/false questions (40 points total).
- 3 short answer questions (6 points total).
Students using CAL must book with them at least 7 days before the midterm, and 14 days prior to the final exam.

Topic focuses on examining key developments that led to the emergence of ADHD as a recognized disorder.
Social Trajectory Defined: Refers to how a disorder emerges, becomes recognized, and is considered treatable.

World War II: Increased importance of psychiatry to maintain soldiers' mental health, leading to greater prestige in the field and the establishment of the National Institute of Mental Health.
Rise of Biological and Social Psychology: Introduction of new drugs that focus on biology and brain-related aspects of mental health; 1961 marked the launch of Ritalin, initially developed for chronic fatigue and later used for ADHD.
Education Reform: Post-Sputnik fears of falling behind in science and technology resulted in a push for traditional educational methods, impacting perceptions of children's learning capabilities.
GI Bill: Supported veterans' education, fostering belief in the necessity of postsecondary education for success.
National Defense Education Act: Funded to improve education to compete globally, shifting learning environments to more structured classrooms and supporting guidance counselors in detecting struggling students.

ADHD is often described as a “general neurological deficit,” with attempts to pinpoint a causative gene being inconclusive.
The term “deficit” could be replaced with “difference.”
Initial views in the 1950s held hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention as normal developmental traits.
The late 20th century saw food allergies, particularly linked to the Feingold diet from the 1970s, being considered potential causes of ADHD.
Faulty parenting, especially the “mother blame” phenomenon, has been scrutinized, pushing for neurological and genetic explanations instead.
Genetics also play a role; parents with ADHD may face struggles in their parenting roles.
Sleep disruptions and changes in discipline methods (e.g., banning corporal punishment) are linked to rising stimulant prescriptions.
A critique notes ADHD could be a social construct due to aggressive pharmaceutical marketing; the disparities in diagnosis among different gender and racial groups raises concerns about surveillance and control.
Stimulant medications, initially aimed at adults, found a market among children during the 1960s.

Causes of autism ignite significant debates; while it's acknowledged as a brain disorder, genetic or environmental causation remains uncertain.
Various theories (psychoanalytic, behavioral, genetic, dietary) have been proposed across decades.
Historical views from the 1940s placed blame on “cold” parenting, which has since been discredited for lacking credible research.
Claims about food allergies lack sufficient evidence yet remain popular.
The controversial association of MMR vaccines with autism emerged from debunked research, influencing vaccine hesitancy today.
The absence of a clear cause for autism, with some links to genetic conditions like Down syndrome, pose challenges for genetic testing.

Stimulant drugs, notably Ritalin, are primary treatments for ADHD, with origins in 1950s treatments for adults, raising ethical concerns about dependency and misuse.
Side effects associated with ADHD medications include:
- Insomnia
- Growth stunting
- Anorexia
- Other psychological issues like irritability or hallucinations.
Ethical considerations loom over prescribing powerful stimulants, especially given the frequency of treatment interruptions recommended for children.
The pharmaceutical industry's role in funding research presents potential conflicts of interest regarding the negative effects of medications.
Evidence on stimulant effects on brain development is lacking despite their widespread use in children.
Alternative treatment strategies advocated include dietary changes, educational interventions, and various therapeutic approaches, emphasizing that drug use should be a last resort.

The movement positions autism and similar conditions as normal variations in human behavior rather than pathologies.
Proponents argue for adapting society to accommodate neurodivergent individuals rather than seeking cures.
Critiques of the movement highlight its assumption of autism as solely a neurological issue and the risk of oversimplifying diverse experiences among the autistic population.
Challenges arise from the movement's focus on individuals considered high-functioning, potentially neglecting those with more severe challenges.
Neurodiversity draws attention to societal conditions related to mental health rather than solely focusing on individual pathology.

Define “pathologization”: The process of behaviors previously seen as normal being classified as symptoms of dysfunction; preferred view considers these behaviors as differences.
ADHD symptoms often overlap with typical child behaviors, which may obscure diagnoses.
A definition of normalcy in the context of autism needs to consider a spectrum rather than a binary approach.

Commonality: ADHD and autism are among the most prevalent developmental disorders.
Complexity: Both exhibit a range of symptoms, complicating diagnosis and treatment.
Timing: Their rising awareness happened concurrently, influenced by educational restructuring and changing societal attitudes.

Controversies over ADHD medication effectiveness and side effects dominate discussions.
Mainstream media portrayals often perpetuate stereotypes, but some representations challenge stigma and provide a more accurate view of ADHD and autism experiences.
Individuals' unique perspectives, as discussed in videos from those with ADHD or autism, continue to call for acceptance of neurodiversity and advocacy for better support systems in society.