Is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Overdiagnosed?

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, because the clinical diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is based on symptomatology and that, because there are no biological markers as yet, physicians and parents are concerned with the accurate diagnosis of children with ADHD and the quantification of the level of impairment. The author points out that, in the U.S., the incidence of the diagnosis of ADHD has skyrocketed over recent years. The paper stresses that the simple question is whether ADHD is a genuine disorder or a pathological label for normal, if frustrating, childhood behavior such as inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. The paper includes several quotations.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
ADHD Overview
Diagnosis
ADHD - Over-diagnosed
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Although guidelines have been established, to assist physicians in the diagnosing of ADHD, many physicians are unfamiliar with these guidelines. Instead, they base their diagnosis on inaccurate methods such as in-office observation and whether or not the patient responds to stimulant prescriptions, which leads to over-diagnosis via mis-diagnosis of ADHD. This inconsistent and inaccurate testing is compounded by society's desire to see children diagnosed with ADHD."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Aldhous, P. (1 April 2006). Hyperactivity drugs are out of control: Some children are misdiagnosed with ADHD, others go undiagnosed. New Scientist, 190(2545). Retrieved October 28, 2006, from Academic OneFile database.
• American Academy of Pediatrics: Clinical practice guideline: Diagnosis and evaluation of the child with attention-deficity/hyperactivity disorder. (May 2000). Pediatrics, 105(5). Retrieved October 28, 2006, from Proquest database.
• Brown, K. (11 July 2003). New attention to ADHD genes. Science, 301(5630). Retrieved October 28, 2006, from Academic OneFile database.
• Buttross, S. & Morgan, A. (Feb 1998). Attention deficit disorder is being over-diagnosed. Modern Medicine, 66(2). Retrieved October 28, 2006, from Academic Search Premier database.
• Connor, D., Edwards, G., Fletcher, K., Baird, J., Barkley, R., & Steingard, R. (Feb 2003). Correlates of comorbid psychopathology in children with ADHD. Journal of American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 42(2). Retrieved October 28, 2006, from InfoTrac database.

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