by Deborah Wirtel

Created on: October 18, 2008

I was one of those parents who believed attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) was just a result of bad parenting. Yes, I was sure that it was a legitimate diagnosis, but surely not that many children had the disorder; it must be over diagnosed.

Then we adopted our son.

An AD/HD diagnosis has to meet certain criteria. As set out in the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychiatric Disorders), a child must meet a certain number of descriptors in sections divided as 1.) inattention, with nine descriptors and 2.) hyperactivity/impulsivity also with nine descriptors.

Our son met six criteria in section one and all of the criteria in section two. Thus he became a statistic in the ongoing, controversial diagnosing area of AD/HD.

There are many factors to asses when considering the rate, or over diagnosis, of AD/HD.

Some professionals think AD/HD is simply under diagnosed.

Other professionals believe AD/HD is misdiagnosed. This belief is based on a general and non-objective diagnostic tool. The diagnosis can be based on self-reporting or a clinician observation subject to feelings, values, cultural norms, and opinions. Self-reports can be the cause of influences that AD/HD is becoming more and more common and attribute symptoms to this belief. The vagueness of the diagnostic material, the DSM-IV, may lead to self reporters under reporting symptoms to avoid being trapped under a label.

There is speculation that the modern world makes identifying AD/HD symptoms more easily recognizable. Modern electronics such as a computer or cell phone, and environmental demands that require a more focused attention can draw notice to a seemingly increased rate of AD/HD.

Other factors possibly influencing the over or under diagnosis of AD/HD include lifestyle changes of decreased activity and less structured playtime; a reluctance to unfairly label children; and a concern that AD/HD is becoming a fad diagnosis in certain social economic structures and geographical areas.

Along with the belief that AD/HD is being over diagnosed comes the concern that we are over medicating our children.

Concerns include side effects, including loss of appetite and weight loss, slow growth rate and the possibilities of cardio vascular events.

Other, unfounded, concerns about side effects include the fear that our children will become zombies (altered mental conditions.)

AD/HD is real; its prevalence rate is consistent at 1.7-10% in Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Puerto Rico, and the United Kingdom.

If you suspect or receive a diagnosis of AD/HD from a qualified medical profession (psychologist or psychiatrist), it is in your child's best interest to pursue further advice and treatments and not worry about if AD/HD is over diagnosed. You can only be doing your child a favor.

Martin Winkler, "ADHD Symptoms ADHD Diagnosis - Diagnostic Criteria of ADHD." 28 Jul 2008 1. <http://web4health.info/en/answers/adhd-diagn-dsm.htm>.

Steven Reinberg, "9% of U.S. Kids Have ADHD." washingtonpost.com 04 Sep 2007 1. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article /2007/09/03/AR2007090300729.html>.

"Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: ADHD in Adults." 1-5. <http://www.medicinenet.com/adhd_in_adults/article.ht m>.

Margaret Austin, Ph.D. Natalie Staats Reiss, Ph.D., Laura Burgdorf, Ph.D. "Controversies Surrounding ADHD." 1. <http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=13852&cn=3>.

"Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)." 01 Feb 2001 1-7. <http://www.mentalhealthchannel.net/adhd/index.shtml>.

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