Anthropologists have many different approaches to diseases to help them better understand health in various cultures. In this case, we will be looking at the ecological approach to ADHD. Anthropologists who follow this approach study populations and their relationship to the environment in order to understand the presence of illness in their communities (Karim, Lecture 2.1). We can look at the natural and man-made causes of illness and the best way to fix the problem through cultural and environmental interventions. There are three major premises in this approach. The first is taking a look at the ecosystem, meaning the interactions between people, animals, plants, and natural resources. The next premise is the idea that humans try to maintain balance or homeostasis for a mutual benefit. The last being things that can have a positive or negative impact on this homeostasis, such as adaptations like technology to better understand the disease. The next approach is the biological approach, which is how evolution, genetics, and cultural practices affect the spread of disease through populations. The ecological and biological approaches seem to overlap while studying them in anthropology.
Now looking at ADHD from a ecological and biological approach, an anthropologist perspective would key in on the genetics of the person being studied to see if their parent also had the gene responsible for hyperactivity. There are also environmental factors to consider here. For example, the culture that the individual is succumb to, as well as the economy.
A case study that I chose to use was one of a 10-year-old boy that was diagnosed with ADHD. The background information for this includes the following: The client’s birth had been traumatic. After 36 hours of labor, the doctors had pulled the client out so forcefully that he received a black eye. As a baby he was very sensitive to light and noise. He had sinus and ear infections frequently (The Handle Institute). The child first came to the Handle Institute for alternative therapy for ADHD because he was having problems in school. It was concluded that he was sensitive to fabrics and avoided the contact of a pencil and the tip of his thumb. The course of action that Handle was to have him do more exercise and activities, as well as nutritional recommendations. As far as nutrition, they advised an omega 3 fatty acids to protect the neural pathways that the activities were strengthening. Here is an example of a
support pack to help with ADHD.
I believe that the main biological factor of ADHD is your genetic makeup or what kind of genes were passed on from parent to child. The ecological factors that may influence ADHD would be what is advertised constantly, like televisions and video games.These are just two examples of electronics that can distract you from other important activities, which is why the Handle Institute recommend that the child perform more activities and exercise. Below is an example of how video games can completely distract the child from anything else around him.
Sources:
"10-year-old Boy Diagnosed with ADHD." The Handle Institute. Accessed July 25, 2014.
"ADHD Causes and Cures." ADHDecide.org. Accessed July 25, 2014.
"ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - Diagnosis, Symptoms." Sharecare. Accessed July 25, 2014.
"TV or Video Games." - What Causes ADHD? 12 Myths and Facts. Accessed July 25, 2014.
Now looking at ADHD from a ecological and biological approach, an anthropologist perspective would key in on the genetics of the person being studied to see if their parent also had the gene responsible for hyperactivity. There are also environmental factors to consider here. For example, the culture that the individual is succumb to, as well as the economy.
A case study that I chose to use was one of a 10-year-old boy that was diagnosed with ADHD. The background information for this includes the following: The client’s birth had been traumatic. After 36 hours of labor, the doctors had pulled the client out so forcefully that he received a black eye. As a baby he was very sensitive to light and noise. He had sinus and ear infections frequently (The Handle Institute). The child first came to the Handle Institute for alternative therapy for ADHD because he was having problems in school. It was concluded that he was sensitive to fabrics and avoided the contact of a pencil and the tip of his thumb. The course of action that Handle was to have him do more exercise and activities, as well as nutritional recommendations. As far as nutrition, they advised an omega 3 fatty acids to protect the neural pathways that the activities were strengthening. Here is an example of a
support pack to help with ADHD.
I believe that the main biological factor of ADHD is your genetic makeup or what kind of genes were passed on from parent to child. The ecological factors that may influence ADHD would be what is advertised constantly, like televisions and video games.These are just two examples of electronics that can distract you from other important activities, which is why the Handle Institute recommend that the child perform more activities and exercise. Below is an example of how video games can completely distract the child from anything else around him.
Sources:
"10-year-old Boy Diagnosed with ADHD." The Handle Institute. Accessed July 25, 2014.
"ADHD Causes and Cures." ADHDecide.org. Accessed July 25, 2014.
"ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - Diagnosis, Symptoms." Sharecare. Accessed July 25, 2014.
"TV or Video Games." - What Causes ADHD? 12 Myths and Facts. Accessed July 25, 2014.