Russell A. Barkley’s Behavioral Inhibition Disorder, An Alternative To ADHD
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a condition surrounded by discussions and controversies, in which the scientific community itself differs in both the symptoms and the treatment, and in some sectors its existence is even questioned.
Psychologist Russell A. Barkley created an alternative explanation model called behavioral inhibition disorder which challenges the role of attention in ADHD and which will be discussed throughout this article.
Behavioral inhibition disorder is an explanatory model created by the American psychologist Russell A. Barkley, his intention was for it to be constituted as an alternative to the label of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
This alternative explanatory model of ADHD revolves around executive function known as response inhibition According to Barkley, the main advantage of behavioral inhibition disorder is that it fits much better with the symptoms associated with the subcategories of ADHD: hyperactive and combined.
To better understand this model, the term executive function is described below.
Executive functions
Executive functions correspond to terms used in neuropsychology. This expression refers to all the cognitive skills that a person uses when their efforts are directed towards achieving an achievement or an objective.
These executive functions are essential to manage cognitive, emotional and behavioral processes that enable the person to respond to any situation. In the same way, these are vital for carrying out most of the tasks and functions that a person must perform throughout the day; especially those actions that involve the generation of plans, decision making, problem solving, self-control and emotional regulation.
The processes referred to by the term “executive function” can be subdivided into two groups: basic functions and functions derived from them. These functions are:
The role of behavioral inhibition
Of all the executive functions that human beings use, Barkley focuses on behavioral inhibition giving it a crucial role in creating its own explanatory model of ADHD.
Behavioral inhibition means the suspension of a response or a series of behaviors that the person has previously internalized or learned and that are usually automatic. The objective of this inhibition or containment is to solve any type of problem or task.
The way response inhibition works consists of, when a stimulus appears, suspending certain behavior or action and replace it with another succession of acts or responses Another option is to delay this sequence of actions in time until the person perceives that it is the right time to carry them out.
Barkley’s explanatory model
In his work “ADHD and the nature of self-control”, published in 1997, Barkley dedicated himself to structuring all the information about ADHD collected during more than 25 years of study and constitutes the explanatory bases of Behavior Inhibition Disorder
Barkley assumes that the symptoms associated with ADHD can be divided into three groups or genres. These categories are: hyperactivity, impulsivity and attention deficit. However, Barkley only takes into account hyperactivity and impulsivity. Barkley argues that considering attention as a main symptom of this disorder can be misleading when treating it.
Likewise, within the executive functions mentioned above, Barkley highlights the work of response inhibition It also investigates how it can exert a series of detrimental effects on other functions, which are dependent on it in order to function correctly.
Below is the relationship that behavioral inhibition has with the rest of the executive functions and the symptoms it causes as a result of this interference:
1. Alterations in non-verbal working memory
Behavioral inhibition causes problems in the representation and transformation of information, as well as deficiencies in the ability to anticipate future actions and difficulties in time management.
2. Problems in verbal working memory
In this case, both verbal working memory and speech internalization are seriously affected. The main associated symptoms include obstruction of the capacity for reflection, problems in following rules and integrating regularized behavioral patterns, decreased problem-solving skills deficiencies in reading comprehension and deficits in moral reasoning.
3. Deficits in emotional and motivational self-regulation
Problems in the ability to express feelings and emotions, which become exaggeratedly disproportionate; deficiencies in perceiving the other’s point of view and alterations in the regulation of motivation They are typical symptoms caused by behavioral inhibition in people with ADHD.
4. Deficiencies in the reconstitution
Finally, the person may also encounter obstacles when carrying out behavior analysis and synthesis procedures; as well as deficits in the ability to imitate, copy or reproduce behaviors and a smaller variety of action strategies when solving problems or achieving an objective.
The function of attention
As mentioned above, Barkley eliminates the effect of attention as a primary factor or agent in the Behavioral Inhibition Disorder model.
Even so recognizes the existence of two types of attention That attention that is controlled externally through immediate reinforcements and the attention that originates and controls the person themselves from within, which requires the inhibition of behaviors that are underway and is more effective for achieving long-term objectives.
In this way, Barkley accepts that attention is also included in his model but that it is subordinated to other factors and that all people diagnosed with ADHD present difficulties in attention originating from within.
