The ADHD regime and neuro-chemical selves in whole-systems: A science studies perspective

The present chapter explores the relation of Health and Environment from the general perspective of Science Studies. Science Studies are concerned with the history of science, society, medicine and technology as well as contemporary issues and applications of science. Science Studies utilize methodologies of sociology of knowledge, philosophy of science, medical anthropology, and applied ethics. This chapter focuses on "health and environment"--aspects in a genealogical analysis of the discursive production of the concept Attention and its implications as a public, medical and psychological problem. Attention itself is, however, a vague concept, despite its frequent use as a medical and psychological category. It has a two-hundred year history, beginning with Kantian psychology/biology. In psychology, it occupies different roles, and so do its pathologies. Neuro-physiologically, "attention" is still a vague concept. Currently, it is assumed that there is a balance of different neurotransmitters that seems to play a role in the neurochemistry of attention. But while the concept itself is vague, doctors, parents, journalists, etc. use it in statements concerning normal and pathological forms of attention, as if it is self-evident and clear what attention and its pathologies are.