Repost: Evolutionary Psychology and Complexity Theory: Mania, ADHD, and Dysthymia

The following was originally posted on 11/20/99 and summarized a talk given at a conference organized by Donald Mender, M.D. of the the New York Chapter, Assn. for Advancement of Philosophy and Psychiatry on 11/13/99 at St. John the Divine in Manhattan.

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Evolutionary Psychology Forum On-Line

jbrody@compuserve.com

Ideas from evolution and complexity theories (Kauffman, 1995) describe several clinical syndromes --- mania, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and dysthymia. These externalizing disorders reflect dissonance between our striatal "go" origins and our newer refinements for social regulation and response inhibition. They may also be an emergent result of genomic conflict (Li et al., 1999; Haig, 1993).
Kauffman's triphasic model helps us to distinguish between mania, ADHD, and dysthymia in a broader context than usual. The model describes mathematical decision states in terms of "chaos" (impulsiveness) - "phase transition" (flexibility) - "stasis" (paralysis). Because of the mathematical foundations, the model also likely applies to our social groups and our individual behavioral excesses.

Alliances increase the range of traits that are available to any member but inevitably slow decisions by the participants. Hierarchy speeds information swaps for survival tasks and for defending self-interest against predators, competitors, and pathogens or against peers, mates and offspring.

Negotiation between self interest and reciprocity is vital in alliances and hierarchies and can lead to survival and reproductive failure if handled badly, to contentment and sturdy children if handled well. Intact executive functions are vital for positive outcomes in both alliances and hierarchies.

"Fitness" allows some understanding of linear hierarchies; executive functions are key tools that manage reciprocity with peers and with our physical niches. High activity level along with enhanced performance accuracy and other traits (higher I.Q. and vocabulary) appear to be maintained by natural and sexual selection. High activity level is one component of fitness but occurs in several disorders such as ADHD or mania.

Executive functions (Barkley, 1997) correspond to a phase transition; the concept helps us to distinguish mania from ADHD and dysthymia from other disorders. Executive functions consist of working memory, thought sequencing, generation of plans, mood regulation, and problem solution. This phase is associated with decisions that occur relatively quickly but more tentatively as we change our minds in response to subtle or delayed feedback. Executive functions allow us to say "maybe."

Mania, generally associated with fitness, is aggravating in particular. Grandiosity (a severing of reciprocal ties with peers) puts mania towards the "chaos" segment of Kauffman's model and is associated with heightened response variability and unilateral action.
ADHD is handicapped not by activity level but through lapses in executive functions that should target the activity. ADHD is characterized by heightened variability in personal behavior but is more reactive and error prone. In contrast, mania often has exceptional goal direction. Both mania and ADHD advertise themselves with high activity and both corrode social reciprocity but for different reasons.

It appears that there are NO conditions under which ADHD can be viewed as an "adaptation" if ADHD is defined by impaired executive functions. On the other hand, mania may have enhanced fitness characteristics in some niches but can be a substantial impairment in mutualistic ones that are characterized by high levels of formal cooperation, delayed consequences, and extensive social rules, and enduring gossip about fairness and past cheating.

Dysthymia combines traits of ADHD and mania. Grandiosity plus impaired executive functions lead to chronic differences between goals and outcomes. Ineffective problem solving encourages people to demand help from others and with an expectation that the recipient is entitled to everything that they can get and to much that they cannot. A "will to power" occurs in many dysthymics; their complaints have a tremendous potential notfor self-lowering but as a tool for manipulating other people and maintaining a relatively stronger position in hierarchies
Examples and treatment options are sketched for all 3 disorders.

* Much of this material is in press in Cory, G., & Gardner, R. (Eds.) Proceedings of the Paul MacLean Festschrift (working title), July 1998 and in the Journal of Affective Disorders.

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