Is ADHD overdiagnosed?

20 April 2013

Share

Question

Recent studies have indicated that somewhere between 3% and 12% of children in the UK have been diagnosed with ADHD and there's certain criticisms that it’s overdiagnosed. I just wondered if you could comment on that?

Answer

Tom - I think that's an area that you'd probably hear very different responses from from medical professionals than you may do from educational professionals. There's certainly an argument that the diagnoses of ADHD represents the medicalization of inattention or hyperactivity, and those sorts of behaviours. And that medicalization of those behavioural difficulties locates the problem within the child. So, there is an argument that would say ADHD is better regarded as a cultural construct rather than a bona fide medical disorder.

Comments

Add a comment