Is adult ADD a myth? Dr. Nasiragami breaks down why inattention isn’t a distinct disorder and warns about amphetamine risks.

In this livestream Dr. Nasiragami argues that the condition should be called ADD, dropping the “H” because hyperactivity has never been proven as a core feature. He explains what scientific validity means and applies four validators—symptom specificity, genetics/family history, illness course, and biological markers—to the ADD construct.

He shows that inattention and executive dysfunction appear in anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and psychosis, that genetic studies reveal no unique ADD signature, and that prospective studies find only a small minority of children retain symptoms into adulthood. No specific biomarkers exist, and treatment response to stimulants is nonspecific. Amphetamines improve focus for anyone but are neurotoxic and cardiotoxic, doubling sudden‑cardiac‑death risk in middle‑aged adults. Safer alternatives such as bupropion, atomoxetine, or behavioral interventions are available, and addressing underlying mood temperaments—often cyclothymic—can resolve the cognitive complaints, as illustrated by a case responding to low‑dose lithium.

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