JS> Turning that around, of course, you could say that only those cases
JS> which respond to those medications or which have those specific
JS> metabolic irregularities are "true" AD(H)D.  As a matter of
JS> diagnosis, that is a dangerous technique; but as a matter of
JS> definition, it may work.
The practice of using a response to medication as even a confirmation of 
diagnosis has been routinely criticized in the medical literature. In 
ADHD, since there are so many variables, Barkley says it should not even 
be part of the discussion.
JS> If you are saying that there is a high percentage of the children of
JS> alcoholics who have a condition which resembles AD(H)D, but which is
JS> not treatable in the same way, then I am not in a position to argue
JS> with you, nor interested in doing so, since we are not talking about
JS> the same thing.  But if you are saying that if someone has AD(H)D,
JS> could be treated by the standard medications, but should not be
JS> because they have a relative with alcoholism, then I think you are
JS> wrong.
From what Jane writes, I think that is **exactly** what she is saying. 
JS> And as for your central argument, which I believe is that people
JS> with alcoholic relatives should not be treated with the standard
JS> medications for AD(H)D, that would rest not only upon your thesis
JS> that there is a form of AD(H)D which is unique to alcoholic families
JS> but on the corollary that no one with alcoholic relatives can have
JS> the "other" kind of AD(H)D.  I might be willing to concede the
JS> former, although I think it more likely that there are conditions
JS> related or consequent to alcoholism (FAS, FAE, or something not yet
JS> named) which are symptomatically similar to AD(H)D; for those
JS> people, the standard remedies for AD(H)D might well not work, and
JS> might be dangerous.
In recent email, I was told by a researcher at Mass General that a study 
is well underway as to that small percentage of ADHDers who remain 
refractory to pharmacotherapy (a recent study showed that >95% 
eventually find the right pharmacotherapy protocol). What they are 
finding is that there is mis-diagnosis (surprise!!!) and other pathology 
which mimics ADHD, but is not ADHD.
JS> I would also concede that alcohol use (not alcoholism itself) might
JS> cause genetic changes which give rise to AD(H)D in subsequent
JS> generations, since heavy alcohol use does seem able to induce
JS> genetic damage in sperm (and therefore quite possibly in ova), let
JS> alone raise havoc with a fetus exposed to alcohol.  But I am
JS> unwilling to concede that those with alcoholic relatives should not
JS> be treated with the standard medications if those medications work,
JS> that all AD(H)D is coincident with a family history of alcoholism,
JS> nor (returning to your other theme) that if a medication is in the
JS> form of nuts, berries, twigs, or leaves that it is ipso facto better
JS> or safer than the product of a chemical laboratory.
I do not think Jane is primarily referring to the heavy ETOH user. She 
is far more general that that.
 * RM 1.31  * Eval Day 5 * A blinding bolt of crimson careens across the sky! 
I
's STUP
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