Revealing the subject behind attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) a psychotherapeutic exploration of the child in a culture of diagnosis

Abstract

This dissertation looks initially at the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) at a national level. It would seem that although a dual treatment of medication and therapy is recommended for those diagnosed with ADHD by the Health Service Executive (HSE), due to the lack of mental health services offering such therapy, many children and adults are on long waiting lists and are not receiving their complete treatment (McDonagh, 2017). Thus, the author will explore the possible overdependence on medication for the treatment of ADHD. The research will focus on the reasons for medicating the subject with ADHD and in doing so explore the concept of “Medicalization”. This dissertation considers the importance of psychotherapeutic treatment in the awareness and management of ADHD for the person diagnosed. The author will therefore explore the subject experiencing the symptoms of ADHD through examining the relationship between the diagnosis of ADHD and the subjects’ neurobiology as well their educational, family and social environments, past present and future.