Some experts believe that, not only is ADHD not overdiagnosed, it is actually underdiagnosed. In an article on MedicineNet.com, “Adult ADHD Underdiagnosed”, David Baron, DO of Temple University, discusses the underdiagnosis of adult ADD, “Man other psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and depression, but ADHD is more of a constant. Because of that, people don’t label it, they dismiss it, they say, ‘Oh, I’ve been this way since the second grade.” I think adult ADHD is underdiagnosed.”
Another article that appeared in Family Practice News, “ADHD Underdiagnosed in Girls, states, “Girls with the condition are dramatically underdiagnosed and untreated, In fact, we may be missing as many as 75% of girls with attention deficit disorder.” [6]
So, while it is quite probable that some children without ADHD have been misdiagnosed, it is also quite probable that children with ADHD go untreated.
Some of the reasons some people point to overdiagnosis:
Can ADHD Be Accurately Diagnosed?
Are We Overmedicating Our Children?
Pharmaceutical Companies Making a Profit on ADHD
Do Parents Seek a Diagnosis of ADHD instead of Disciplining Children?
References:
ADHD Understanding the Problem, Updated 2008, March 24, TelosNet
“About Us – Feingold Association”, 2008, Feingold Association of the United States
[1] “Almost Half of Kids With ADHD Are Not Being Treated, Study Finds”, 2006, Aug 6, Washington University School of Medicine
[2] “Is ADHD Being Overdiagnosed”, 1998, Nov 16, Meg Kissinger, Journal Sentinel
“ADHD Controversy”, Date Unknown, Guy, FDU
“Dramatic Rise in ADHD Sparks Controversy” 2000, Dec 15, Diane Weaver Dunne, Education World
“ADHD”, Reviewed 2005, Jan 30, Ronald Pies, WebMD
“Myths and Misunderstandings”, 2007, Author Unknown, Help for ADHD, National Resource Center for ADHD
[4] Report 10 of the Council on Science and Public Health: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, 2008, June 2, CSAPH, American Medical Association
[3] “What Causes ADHD?”, Last reviewed 2008, June 26, National Institute of Mental Health
[5] “International Consensus Statement on ADHD, 2002, Jan, Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review
“Adult ADHD Underdiagnosed”, 2008, May 6, Charlene Laino, MedicineNet.com
[6] “ADHD Underdiagnosed in Girls”, 2000, April 1, Ellen B. Littman, Family Practice News
