With ADHD, the brain is more or less chronically under-aroused, as it doesn’t get enough natural stimulation from normal day to day activities. And it’s thought that the hyperactivity is something of a homeostatic response, which kicks in to try and increase stimulation until an optimal arousal level is achieved. That is, in the absence of enough stimulation, the person essentially tries to seek it out for themselves - hence the presence of hyperactivity, or inclinations towards daydreaming, risk-taking, etc. Once the person is stimulated enough, they become calmer. Taking stimulant drugs is just an easier, more reliable means of accomplishing the same thing, without the negative consequences and externalities of the other means.
That makes sense. Thanks for helping me understand!
37 posted on 04/10/2008 3:15:02 PM PDT by wvguy
(Montani semper liberi)