Every Parent with a Child Diagnosed ADHD Should Write to Stephan E. Hyman, Director of
the NIMH, and Demand a ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ Answer.
Stephen E. Hyman, MD, Director National Institute of Mental Health 5600 Fishers Lane, Room #18C-17 Rockville, MD 20857 Dear Dr. Hyman, Our child has been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and we have been told it is a definite disease. Is ADHD a bona fide disease with a confirmatory physical or chemical abnormality demonstrable within the patient? A yes or no answer is possible and is what I am asking for. If your answer is yes I would like you to furnish me with the specific article, starting, as is usual, with the author(s), title of the article, journal, date, volume, and page numbers. Examples: 1. Wilson, S.A.K.: Progressive lenticular degeneration: A familial nervous disease associated with cirrhosis of the liver. Brain 34:295, 1912. 2. Turcot J, Despres JP, St. Pierre F. Malignant tumors of central nervous suystem associated with familial polyposis of the colon: report of two cases. Dis Colon Rectum. 1959;2:465-468. I would very much like a response from you, directly, Dr. Hyman, or, at least, from a physician-researcher at the NIMH, qualified to answer this question, and prepared to take responsibility for the answer. Sincerely yours, John or Jane Doe address CC: U.S. Senator CC: U.S. Congressperson