The article about ADHD among members of a tribe in Kenya points to ways in which ADHD and similar traits may benefit nomads, pointing to how impulsive behavior could be of benefit to warriors and livestock guards. It also proposes changing school environments to help schoolchildren with the condition. This is all well and good (and in fact an excellent idea - modifying the environment is certainly better than modifying a child through medication). However, ADHD also affects girls and women, and often in different ways. Many girls with ADHD often remain undiagnosed longer because their impulsive behavior doesn't necessarily translate into disruptiveness. They may struggle in school but get comments on their report cards such as "pleasure to have in class." This doesn't mean that school isn't frustrating for them, though.

Considering that genetically influenced disorders often affect members of both sexes, how might these characteristics benefit or harm female nomads?

That being said, a more dynamic learning situation could benefit many - including those without ADHD. Few children like to sit still for too long and a variety in teaching methods could keep many interested.

I've heard ADHD didn't used to be a problem back when most people were farming and working with their hands. Only in the postindustrial age, when most people in the "developed" world were working office or service jobs, did it get to be an issue. People with ADHD in fact have an easier time sticking to repetitive physical tasks than "neurotypical" people, so they probably did very well as farmers and craftsmen.

The occupations to which most of us apply our minds these days are not things that we as a species are cognitively adapted for. Our brains are optimized for a hunter-gatherer kind of life, not for sitting at a desk typing up quarterly reports. No wonder so many people these days are stressed and depressed.

Regarding girls with ADHD - and Asperger's, for that matter - they're harder to diagnose because, as you said, they don't manifest their conditions in the same way that boys do. This is a cultural thing more than a biological thing. Boys are taught that it's more acceptable for them to be loud and act out, while girls are taught to be more subdued and to interact with the world at large in a different way (linguistic anthropologist Deborah Tannen has done some very interesting work on this).

I agree fully with your last statement - that learning environments designed to engage kids with ADHD would help "neurotypical" kids as well. The lecture method of teaching, which is how teaching is usually done, is actually one of the least effective ways to get anyone to learn anything. Neurotypical people happen to tolerate it better than people with ADHD, but it's still not a great way to teach them.

This is an interesting discussion. So one of the problems might be the fact that we are developing a way of life that is completely at odds with human nature and something that many people are having difficulty adapting to. I guess the cynics are right about modern life being soul destroying.

'I guess the cynics are right about modern life being soul destroying.'

yeah, but it ain't no gene that does it, it's the dependence and victimhood pushed by you know who.

the attention spans of many young people today is that of a house fly as they have been clicking their way to instant gratification.

most young people today have the attention span about the length of a rap song on MTV.

these phony AHDDHDSDHFAD bullshit pronouncements are just a way for stupid persons to grab a piece of the victim pie after being convince by the pharm companies. they came up with the drug before they did the disease ergo had to convince some stupid fuck somewhere that they had a problem.

Re: Irvingchang

You obviously don't have ADHD or have a friend or relative who does. If you did, you would know that the right kind of drugs are a big help - although they're only part of the solution, and they often come with unpleasant side effects. I have been taking drugs to manage my own ADHD for years. When I was taking Ritalin I had headaches, nausea, and "space-out" periods on a regular basis, but without it I could not have gotten through school. Yes, I did have a problem. The drugs caused me other problems, but they were a heck of a lot more manageable than what I was taking the drugs for.

People who have ADHD are more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior, to drop out of college (if they get into college in the first place), and be unable to hold down a job. I beat the odds by not getting an STD, getting my college degree in four years, holding down a job and, now, going to graduate school. I don't think I could have done it without meds, even if they're a hassle.

I tried going off my meds for a while when I was living on my own and realized that I had a more difficult time getting things done and tended to put my foot in my mouth more often. Take it from me, some of us need those meds.

That said, medications alone are not enough to cope with ADHD. Social coaching and therapy helps. Regular exercise helps too, by releasing endorphins that help calm you down.
Not watching TV is a good idea as well. If television conditions a short attention span into "normal" people, think of what it does to someone with an attention deficit disorder. Better to read a book.

'People who have ADHD are more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior, to drop out of college (if they get into college in the first place), and be unable to hold down a job.'

yeah. so are stupid people.

irvingchang:

'People who have ADHD are more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior, to drop out of college (if they get into college in the first place), and be unable to hold down a job.'

yeah. so are stupid people.

Stupid people, huh? Guess which one of us demonstrated enough intelligence to actually present a reasoned argument instead of a rant - and, furthermore, capitalize their sentences properly.

'I tried going off my meds for a while when I was living on my own and realized that I had a more difficult time getting things done and tended to put my foot in my mouth more often.'

i'll bet a good smack upside your head telling you to snap out of it every once in a while would have worked just as good as the drugs. or maybe a gentle reminder to pull your head out of your ass.

irvingchang:

i'll bet a good smack upside your head telling you to snap out of it every once in a while would have worked just as good as the drugs. or maybe a gentle reminder to pull your head out of your ass.

Any good studies to back that up? Even anecdotal examples? Or is this just your imagination talking? There's actual data, you know, from real-life studies that show the opposite.

And anyway, the example he gave was after he was living on his own and, therefore, didn't have the kind of social "support" you are suggesting. Do you think it would have been "gooder" to hire an upside-the-head-smacker?

'Do you think it would have been "gooder" to hire an upside-the-head-smacker?'

it should be done by volunteers. i'll volunteer!!

'Do you think it would have been "gooder" to hire an upside-the-head-smacker?'

actually i don't believe this crap about ADHDD's or the premise that it even exists except by the drug companies and the shrinks in order to drum up business. from what i can tell, the emotional and psychological paralysis and inability to focus described by them is a manifestation of self obsession like skinny chicks with eating disorders.

therefore i say that a good smack in the head would work just as well as ritilan.

irvingchang:

from what i can tell, the emotional and psychological paralysis and inability to focus described by them is a manifestation of self obsession like skinny chicks with eating disorders.

Well, "from what you can tell" isn't much.

boy you told me!

Sarcasm comes from a word picture meaning dogs tearing flesh. I think you deserve some dignity so I won't be sarcastic.
I have Bipolar, Alcoholism, ADHD, OCD, a bad thermostat, a bad transmission; whatever.
"For there was never yet philosopher that could endure the toothache patiently." Leonato, Much Ado About Nothing, William Shakespeare
Girls and Women, there is a difference between Girls and Women, are not treated with human dignity either. Often they suffer more and get less consideration for it because they are Girls and Women. I know, I married one. I raised two Girls. I am simply a Man. The Internet is a reflection of how The World uses both Men and Women, Boys and Girls, and it is not a pretty picture.
Someone must really hate us for it to become this way. Conversely, someone must really love us enough to repair the damage. Who is more powerful? Or are we an orphan savage child race?
It is Depressive Realism if you need a name for it.

BookBeast:

I've heard ADHD didn't used to be a problem back when most people were farming and working with their hands. Only in the postindustrial age, when most people in the "developed" world were working office or service jobs, did it get to be an issue. People with ADHD in fact have an easier time sticking to repetitive physical tasks than "neurotypical" people, so they probably did very well as farmers and craftsmen.

It's funny, I have ADHD and I often see people working as painters, gardeners, in diners, etc. and I really think "that looks satisfying to me, I want to do that." If I say this out loud of course, the person I'm with will inevitably say "what are you crazy? you don't want to do manual labor, you have a graduate degree." But these types of jobs look very calming and satisfying to me. they look more stimulating. of course I would not like not using my hard-earned education and whatnot, (but truth be told, I don't use it in the office either). Nobody believes me, but it does look really good to me! I really like physical things too! Sitting at a desk all day is literally one of the hardest parts of my life.