A Short History of ADHD: From “Fidgety Phil” to Today
ADHD might seem like a modern idea but people have been writing about attention and impulse problems for over 200 years. The name has changed, the science has grown, and our understanding is still evolving.
The First Descriptions (1700s–1800s)
In 1798, a Scottish doctor named Sir Alexander Crichton wrote about people who couldn’t focus for long and were easily distracted. He noticed this could start in childhood and sometimes continue into adult life.
In 1844, a German doctor named Heinrich Hoffmann wrote a children’s story about “Fidgety Phil” who was a boy couldn’t sit still. It wasn’t medical research, but it showed that restless, impulsive behaviour was noticed long before ADHD got its name.
Early Medical Research (1900–1930)
In 1902, British doctor Sir George Still gave lectures describing children who were bright but had trouble controlling their behaviour and paying attention. He believed this came from differences in the brain, not from bad parenting.
During the 1917–1920s, some children developed similar symptoms after a brain illness called encephalitis. This gave doctors more clues that the brain played a role.
In 1937, an American doctor named Charles Bradley accidentally discovered that stimulant medicine helped children with behaviour and learning problems focus better.
By the 1960s, the term “Hyperkinetic Reaction of Childhood” was used in the official mental health manual (DSM-II). The focus was mostly on hyperactivity, kids who couldn’t seem to slow down.
The ADD Years (1970s–1980s)
In 1980, the name changed to Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). There were two types:
With Hyperactivity
Without Hyperactivity
In 1987, the name changed again to Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) — and that’s what we still use today.
Modern Understanding (1990s–Now)
In 1994, ADHD was divided into three presentations:
Inattentive – problems with focus and organisation
Hyperactive-Impulsive – more movement, restlessness, and impulsive actions
Combined – a mix of both
The 2013 DSM-5 kept these presentations but made two big changes:
ADHD can be diagnosed if symptoms started before age 12 (instead of age 7)
Where We Are Today
ADHD is now understood as a neurodevelopmental condition, meaning it develops in the brain and is often present from birth.
Research shows differences in brain areas linked to attention, impulse control, and planning. It’s thought to be influenced by a mix of genetics and environment.
It affects about 5–7% of children and 2–5% of adults worldwide, though many people remain undiagnosed, especially women and older adults.
Closing thought:
ADHD is not new. We’ve been noticing, describing, and researching it for centuries. What’s changed is our understanding and thankfully, that’s still growing today.
