Adhd Overdiagnosis

Dealing ADHD

In a Second-Grade classroom a boy named Bobby conducts himself the only way he could, for his teacher though it was too much in one morning, Bobby on his way to sharpen his pencil for the seventh time that day, had an accident or run in involving another students chair or their desk each time needing to apologize and clean us a mess of papers. Bobby repeatedly would by-pass the need to raise his hand, blurting out any idea that crossed his mind. His teacher breaking point was, after repeatedly tipping the desk in front of him further and further, until it toppled to the floor, covering the ground in the school supplies that were inside. This is what Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) looks like. This, unfortunately, is not the usually the case when a child is given an evaluation to rule if they have ADHD. The majority of these cases have children on the borderline, only occasionally showing signs of ADHD. This is where the over-diagnosis and over prescribing of ADHD is coming.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a disorder composed of three major components: inattentiveness, impulsivity, and motor hyperactivity. Symptoms of these components include: excessive fidgeting with hands or feet, repeated difficulty remaining seated, trouble following instructions, extreme difficulty in attempting to play quietly, and excessive interruption of conversations- just to list a few. All of these symptoms, or as few as one can be observed in a child with ADHD, depending on the severity of the case. These children can experience a difficult time simply functioning in a variety of settings such as interactions with peers, home life, and school. The difficulties can act like ocean tides growing and decreasing day to day, but the child is always aware of the tension.

Due to the mystery and lack of deep understanding, most people have a false understanding, thinking this disorder can be treated like other chronic ailments, where continual medication can eventually cure. Well, ADHD is different and rather misunderstood. There is no common agreement on the cause or conditions that cause this disease. There have been countless theories still, and all have been proven inconsistent through further study. There is no in lab examination that can definitively identify if someone has ADHD. This makes it so the best doctor, teacher, or even parents can do to diagnose a child is make an educated assumption. Psychiatrists around the world say they find of the children suffering from a variety of other ailments, including learning disabilities, depression/anxiety-disorders, make up half of their ADHD referrals and are in no need of Ritalin. Yet, some seem to be just regular kids.

Statistics Data

Percent of children 3-17 years of age ever diagnosed with ADHD 8.4 %

Percent of boys 3-17