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Recognized disorder
ADHD was first recognized as a disorder in 1902 -
Period: to
Timeline of ADHD
ADHD was first recognized as a disorder in 1902 -
Symptoms recognized
It was not until 1922 that ADHD symptoms were described and diagnosed as "Post-Encephalitic Behavior Disorder." -
Stimulants used for treatment
In 1937 stimulants were first used to treat children who exhibited signs of ADHD -
Ritalin comes to market. Used for treatment.
In 1956, Ritalin came on the market. It was used to treat children considered to be "hyperactive." -
Stimulants were increasingly used to treat hyperactivity.
Throughout the 1960s, stimulants were increasingly used to treat hyperactive children. In the early part of the decade, the term "Minimal Brain Dysfunction" was used to describe the disorder, but this was changed to "Hyperkinetic Disorder of Childhood" in the later part of the decade. -
More symptoms were recognized with hyperactivity.
In the 1970s, more symptoms were recognized to go along with hyperactivity. These included impulsiveness, lack of focus, daydreaming, and other lack of focus type symptoms. "Impulsiveness" as a category was divided into three subtypes: verbal, cognitive, and motor impulsiveness. -
The name ADD "Attention Deficit Disorder" was invented by the American Psychiatric Association.
In 1980 the name "Attention Deficit Disorder" was invented by the American Psychiatric Association. -
Name revised to ADHD "Attention Deficit Hyperactivite Disorder"
In 1987, the name was revised to "Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder". -
Adderall is approved to treat ADHD.
In 1996, Adderall was approved to treat ADHD. -
ADHD becomes the most researched disorders
In 1998, the American Medical Association stated that ADHD was one of the most researched disorders, despite the fact that its cause is unknown. -
Research is still ongoing for ADHD
However, despite great leaps in understand, additional questions remain. Research is still ongoing into ADHD. Three areas of intense interest are:
The cause of ADHD
The long-term effects of stimulant medication.
A cure for ADHD
