Is ADHD Over Diagnosed?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is one of the most diagnosed childhood disorders (Barkley, 2005). The DSM-IV TR estimates that 3-7% as school age children meets the criteria for a diagnosis of ADHD, but there is concern that ADHD is over diagnosed. In order to definitively assert that ADHD is over diagnosed, it must be shown that the number of false positives, which is the number of children inappropriately diagnosed with ADHD, must significantly exceed the number of false negatives, which is the number of children who are not diagnosed or identified who actually have ADHD (Sciutto & Eisenberg, 2007).

The media has portrayed ADHD as a disorder which is over diagnosed. Some have suggested that ADHD is the diagnosis of today and that parents actually desire this diagnosis for their children rather than other disorders (Bogas, 1997). These types of claims make light of a serious issue. To ascertain whether ADHD is over diagnosed is a very complex issue and one that should never be taken lightly. Although there is a general agreement among the scientific community that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a valid diagnosis, there is a great deal of uncertainty in regards to the diagnostic terminology of ADHD.

The abnormal ADHD behaviors, which include hyperactivity, attentiveness, and impulsiveness, are not easily distinguished from normal temperament variations. There is also concern that the current diagnostic system fails to consider the contributory role that environment plays on a child's behavior and instead purports that the problem is all inside the child. The questionnaires that are commonly used in order to diagnose ADHD are very impressionistic and subjective (Jensen & Cooper, 2002).



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Parents should make sure that the diagnosis of ADHD in your children should be positively correct. You can have second opinion to make sure if your child really have ADHD.

Source of ADHD in Children