Is ADHD Overdiagnosed?

When trying to understand the criteria for any diagnosis in the mental health area, one first needs to understand how a diagnosis is approached using the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM). This book is considered to be the "bible" of the mental health industry. Within its pages you will find lists of specific criteria that needs to be met in order for a diagnosis to be pronounced.

The most current version, the DSM-IV TR lists the criteria for the diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to be the presence of 6 or more of the listed features from one of two categories, Inattention and Hyperactivity/Impulsivity. Some of the criteria in these categories are listed below.

Inattention to detail.
Loses things.
Does not follow instructions.
Does not pay attention when spoken to.
Easily distracted.
Fidgets.
Talks excessively.

In all seriousness, I personally could apply those symptoms to my own behavior every day of the week, much less the behavior of a young child. I think I would probably actually be confused if my son literally actually followed my instructions completely, didn't talk excessively or actually paid attention every time I spoke to him.

The presence of ADHD in our society is indicative of the times we face. Years ago, children had chores to do, all natural foods to eat and in general, things to occupy their time. ADHD is actually a disorder, but parents should also be aware that children will be children. They aren't always supposed to have focus, they are often resistant to authority and are bundles of energy that may be fidgety at times.

It concerns me that so many children are diagnosed with ADHD, not by the insistence of the physician, but by the persuasion of the parent. A physician can only go on what they observe and the information they are given. Are parents setting their children up to be diagnosed with ADHD? The fact that the behavior that indicates the presence of this disorder is so often simply childhood behavior means that those who actually do have ADHD aren't being taken as seriously as they should because the population is so flooded by those who don't have ADHD, but are being treated for it.

Parents beware. There are no rules set in stone for this disorder. Before you seek medication, consider changing parenting tactics. What works for one child may not work for another. It may be your own behavior that will have to be modified to cause a change in your child. If your child is misdiagnosed with ADHD, you may even be medicating them without it being necessary.

Anyone who is concerned that their child has ADHD may want to look into things like behavior therapy and the signs of an actual childhood mental illness. This article was written not to discredit any diagnosis, but simply to make parents aware that there may be a potential for a great many instances of misdiagnosis based on reports from parents and teachers.

References: DSM-IV TR and The Encyclopedia of Mental Health