ADHD Overdiagnosis in Children: Risks and Symptoms

According to an article in the "Scientific Review of Mental Health Practice," there is a definite concern over children being overdiagnosed as having attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Such overdiagnoses lead to children being overprescribed medication as well.

Signs

• There are three main characteristics of ADHD: inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. A child with ADHD can present any combination of these three traits.

Considerations

• Children can be fidgety, have trouble paying attention or be impulsive without having ADHD. The fact that kids normally exhibit these behaviors can be a contributing factor to the overdiagnosis of ADHD in children.

History

• In the 1990s, there was a 700 percent increase in the use of psychostimulants, such as Ritalin, a medication commonly prescribed for ADHD.

Culture

• ADHD is diagnosed mainly in the U.S. In other countries, ADHD is rarely diagnosed in children. The estimate of children in the U.S. with a diagnosis of ADHD varies from 5 to 12 percent.

Warning

• Children who are diagnosed as having ADHD are commonly prescribed Ritalin, sometimes referred to as "kiddie cocaine." Ritalin is a central nervous system stimulant and can have severe side effects, including death.