Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: preventing overdiagnosis and overtreatment
The first part of this article focuses on the wide variations in the diagnosis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) that are observed between countries and between regions within the same country. Diagnosing ADHD is more problematic than is commonly thought. For instance, younger Ameri...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina de Família e Comunidade
2015-06-01
|
| Series: | Revista Brasileira de Medicina de Família e Comunidade |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.rbmfc.org.br/rbmfc/article/view/1014 |
| _version_ | 1797936284774170624 |
|---|---|
| author | Jean-Claude St-Onge |
| author_facet | Jean-Claude St-Onge |
| author_sort | Jean-Claude St-Onge |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The first part of this article focuses on the wide variations in the diagnosis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) that are observed between countries and between regions within the same country. Diagnosing ADHD is more problematic than is commonly thought. For instance, younger American children in the same grade at school are 64% more likely to receive the diagnosis; symptoms can result from many underlying causes. Furthermore, ADHD can be confused with many other health issues. As a result it is largely overdiagnosed and overtreated. The second part of the article reviews recent studies showing that anti-ADHD drugs lack long-term effectiveness and come with important adverse events. Overall, and in the long run, the pharmacologic treatment of ADHD is likely to cause more harm than good. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T18:27:20Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0b20cf4429494155b74b7f32eb3bda3d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1809-5909 2179-7994 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T18:27:20Z |
| publishDate | 2015-06-01 |
| publisher | Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina de Família e Comunidade |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Revista Brasileira de Medicina de Família e Comunidade |
| spelling | doaj.art-0b20cf4429494155b74b7f32eb3bda3d2023-02-02T05:03:09ZengSociedade Brasileira de Medicina de Família e ComunidadeRevista Brasileira de Medicina de Família e Comunidade1809-59092179-79942015-06-01103510.5712/rbmfc10(35)1014549Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: preventing overdiagnosis and overtreatmentJean-Claude St-Onge0Philosophy Professor (retired). M.A. Philosophy, PhD. Socio-economics. Québec, Canada.The first part of this article focuses on the wide variations in the diagnosis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) that are observed between countries and between regions within the same country. Diagnosing ADHD is more problematic than is commonly thought. For instance, younger American children in the same grade at school are 64% more likely to receive the diagnosis; symptoms can result from many underlying causes. Furthermore, ADHD can be confused with many other health issues. As a result it is largely overdiagnosed and overtreated. The second part of the article reviews recent studies showing that anti-ADHD drugs lack long-term effectiveness and come with important adverse events. Overall, and in the long run, the pharmacologic treatment of ADHD is likely to cause more harm than good.https://www.rbmfc.org.br/rbmfc/article/view/1014Attention Deficit Disorder with HyperactivityMedicalizationEffectivenessAdverse Effects |
| spellingShingle | Jean-Claude St-Onge Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: preventing overdiagnosis and overtreatment Revista Brasileira de Medicina de Família e Comunidade Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity Medicalization Effectiveness Adverse Effects |
| title | Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: preventing overdiagnosis and overtreatment |
| title_full | Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: preventing overdiagnosis and overtreatment |
| title_fullStr | Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: preventing overdiagnosis and overtreatment |
| title_full_unstemmed | Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: preventing overdiagnosis and overtreatment |
| title_short | Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: preventing overdiagnosis and overtreatment |
| title_sort | attention deficit hyperactivity disorder preventing overdiagnosis and overtreatment |
| topic | Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity Medicalization Effectiveness Adverse Effects |
| url | https://www.rbmfc.org.br/rbmfc/article/view/1014 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jeanclaudestonge attentiondeficithyperactivitydisorderpreventingoverdiagnosisandovertreatment |