Why Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is Often Misdiagnosed
Prepared for
John Schuler
Director
National Parent’s Association
Duval County School Board
Jacksonville, FL 32456
Prepared by
Kiana-Brooke Freeman
Keiser University
Jacksonville, FL 32216
January 23, 2015
6430 Southpoint Parkway
Suite #100
Jacksonville, FL 32216
January 23, 2015
John Schuler
Director
National Parent’s Association
Duval School Board
Jacksonville, FL 32456
Dear Mr. Schuler,
Here is the report you requested in November on why Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is often misdiagnosed. It has come to our attention that if we reanalyze
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This will also decrease the number of children that may be affected due to improper use of medications such as methylphenidate, amphetamine, or dextroamphetamine.
The information contained in this report came from online sources, as well as the Keiser University Library. We appreciate the time you took to review this report.
Thank you for the opportunity to conduct research to address this issue that is affecting children all over the Country. We do appreciate the opportunity to help not only parents, but children as well. Our children are the future and it is up to us to make sure that they receive the proper care that they need.
If you have any questions regarding this report, please do not hesitate to ask.
Sincerely,
Kiana-Brooke Freeman
kianabrooke@gmail.com i
Table of Contents
Letter of Transmittal……………………………………………………………………………… i
Executive Summary………………………………………………………………………………iii
Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………..1
Problem……………………………………………………………………………………1
Purpose and Scope......….………………………………………………………………....1
Assumptions….....................................................................................................................1
History of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder……………………………………………...2
Signs and Symptoms………………………………………………………………………………2
Proper Medical
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is affecting children and adults at vast numbers. The growing numbers of people affected by Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), made the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognize the importance of educating the public. The CDC discusses the signs and symptoms, different types of ADHD, causes of ADHD, diagnosis process, treatments, and resources with the public. The CDC is a trusted agency. The CDC’s website is credible because the writers use effective appeal to logos, ethos, and pathos to educate their audience.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the most widely diagnosed “mental-illness” in children in the United States today, and approximately 99% of children diagnosed are prescribed daily doses of methylphenidate in order to control undesirable behaviors. (Stolzer)
Understandably of course it's a money making machine between the cost of therapy, medications, and depending on the medication weekly to monthly blood draws. There's lots of money to be made off of people diagnosed with ADHD. More than that though, is that it's become sort of a trend. “Few topics have generated as much public concern as the diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, outpatient visits for ADHD jumped from 1.6 million to 4.2 million per year from 1990 to 1993” (ADHD—Overcoming the Specter of Overdiagnosis. (2002). ADHD has
In the United States at least 4.5 million people have been misdiagnosed with ADHD under the age of eighteen, ( University ). ADHD ( attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder ) is the chronic condition including attention difficulty, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. Dr. Brown, a student finishing her residency at John Hopkins Hospital had realized that some of her patients had been diagnosed with ADHD. Most of the children lived in violent households and neighborhoods. These children's parents found it hard to manage, and teachers described them as inattentive and disruptive. Dr.Brown knew these were typical symptoms, as she looked closely she saw something
Over the past couple of decades there has been a huge increase in the diagnosis and prescriptions given out for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. According to a news report done by USA Today over the past five years use of ADHD medications have risen 40% totaling 39.5 million individual prescriptions ("New findings," 2009). When statistics like this are seen it is only normal for someone to ask questions. People are becoming curious about the legitimacy of the disorder, and whether or not the treatments being given to individuals are appropriate. The argument seems to be strong on both sides of the fence, but the extensive research done on ADHD leaves it hard for one to believe that it is a made up disorder.
The article, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, describes almost anything you would want to know or need to know about ADHD. After reading this article I have learned that ADHD is a neurobiological disorder that affects 3 to 7 percent of school-aged children. It is now a
Some of the cases are hard to see and diagnosis. 17% of the 1,000 mental health professionals surveyed some of the mistaken diagnosed kids with adhd. There was errors for the boys because they fit the clinician's stereotypes. And in girls it is underdiagnosed in girls because of the subter symptoms like daydreaming and spaciness.
Along with many other psychiatric disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is one among several recognized by both the psychiatric and medical communities. The main treatment for this disorder is medication that can be used with or without behavioral therapy. A study conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health came to the conclusion that
Despite the fact that ADHD is constantly in the news for one reason or another, there is no consensus on what it
I chose to accompany the review by C. Collins with the article, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, which originated from the Facts on File; Issues and Controversies Database. After reading both the review and the article I highly believe that ADHD is definitely over-diagnosed.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, also known as ADHD, has become a well-known disorder that our ears hear lightly and many don’t think twice about. Although, ADHD is presented in over 11,000,000 people that are living in the United States (Frank, 2017). ADHD is prevalent in both women and men of all various ages. Once one has this disorder, it stays with them forever. However, many therapists as well as psychologist believe that this disorder is over diagnosed and leads into false and inaccurate prescriptions. Due to ADHD being primarily diagnosed at the age of 7 (Holland, 2014), the main symptoms leading into the identity of ADHD are hyper activity, being easily distracted, acting out, daydreaming, physical
The misdiagnoses of ADHD is problematic because it causes people to take medication that they didn't need in the first place. It labels young children for something they never had and could cause self- esteem issues. And also makes it hard for the mis-diagnosed to find out what's really wrong with them. Americans need to be more aware of the vast misdiagnosing of ADHD because it's a growing problem and it needs to be
107-108). One to two percent of adult men and women in the United States have been
Some students have major difficulties in life when faced with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or more commonly referred to as “ADHD” , although if recognized early by noticing symptoms this disorder can be properly treated and contained causing minimal troubles for the victim. ADHD will distinguish itself commonly at an early age. There are exceptions to this with ADHD in adults. Some people can go years without noticing their disorder. These people in particular fall to the devastating effects of this disorder. They do have the power in their
“Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition affecting children and adults that is characterized by problems with attention, impulsivity, and overactivity” (CHADD). “It is a neurobiological disorder that affect 3-7 percent of school age children and may be seen as before the age of 7. The current diagnostic label is attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, however, in the past several other names have been used, such as brain-damaged, minimal brain dysfunction, hyperkinetic impulsive disorder, and attention deficit disorder (CHADD). ADHD is a controversial disorder. Some understand it to be a true disability, while others believe “good teaching and discipline at home resolve the problems” (Kauffman 2005).