Is ADD more prevalent in today's culture than generations ago?

Question

is it genetic or due to television and entertainment?

Answer 1

there is a genetic component.

tv surely adds to the problem.

it's not easy to determine prevalence.

even today, a diagnosis is more circumstantial.

there's a really good book,  You Mean I'm Not Lazy, Stupid, or Crazy

if this is something that affects you directly or indirectly, you'll find it interesting.

(although with ADD, lots of stuff is interesting, but not easy to read.)

Answer 2

Nope..They just now publicize it more..I think everybody has it in some way.  Ohh johnny can't sit still..he's got the ADD. lol

Side Note: South Park episode about ADD was great.

Answer 3

Honestly, and I wish I had the science to back this up, but I believe that the prevalence of ADD, as a medical condition, has to do mostly with the health-care industry.  I will not deny that these treatments are beneficial to many, but I believe there are incentives, perhaps unintended, to over-diagnose and prescribe pharmaceutical treatments.  

I agree, recently we have unprecedented access to information which we attempt to provide at an ever increasing pace.  For me this is like chosing to either push each of three bricks forward 4 inches or pushing 12 bricks each forward one inch in the same amount of total work time.  So, there may be a benefit to a shorter attention span, i.e. more tasks in process versus fewer tasks completed.

You also bring up the issue of interest in a particular area.  I feel this too is important.  In the example of a student finding school boring, and therefore is less attentive during class is not necessarily the fault of the student alone.  Consider the quality of the instrucor, support and emphasis (of education) at home, not to mention other socio-economic factors.  To your point, the time commitment required to read and comprehend a book is even more exaggerated in an age where you can text message your friends instantly.

Answer 4

It's exacerbated by a junk food diet low in magnesium and omega three oils, so yes, it is more common.

http://www.oneaddplace.com/add-diet.php

Also, a lot of the diagnoses in the UK are false as the chav mums have figured out you get about £100 more a month for a kid with ADD, so the keep pushing for a diagnosis of it.