Part 2 increase in ADHD dx

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Part 2 Increased diagnosis and ADHD

“Blindness is not a disability in the dark.” I do not know whose quote this is but it isn't mine so I won't claim it. In order to begin to understand ADHD we must know the difference between a symptom and a disorder. Just because someone has a symptom it is not a disorder unless it impairs their functioning in some way. In addition, a person cannot be diagnosed with a disorder if their symptoms are better explained by behavior, something in the environment, or another disorder.

Attention deficit disorder (ADHD) is the most over and under diagnosed disorder in our society today. How can this be? The over and under is all about the presence or absence of the H in ADHD: Hyperactivity. Not every child who is hyperactive has ADHD, but most of them get diagnosed with it because the treatment for ADHD (counseling to improve organization and stimulant medication) tends to improve performance in almost anyone.

A child might be hyperactive for many reasons, and if this reason is related to environment (trauma, family instability, poor diet...) it would be unethical to medicate them for a disorder they don't have. So why is that the first choices of parents and doctors? Because it often works, and it is easier to blame a problem on the internal biology of a child than change the dynamics of a family. Also there is very little to lose by trying an ADHD medication. They are in and out of the system in 24 hours and are not physically addictive. Is it any wonder that so many people say why not, rather than why when it comes to medicating hyperactive kids?

But what about the other part? What if you are just inattentive? How can you tell the difference between someone who is inattentive and someone who is just lazy? It is really really hard. Especially when you consider how likely it would be to give up and become lazy if you had a much more difficult time paying attention than your class chums and everyone was calling you dumb.

But don't we all have difficulty paying attention sometimes? Yes. Every person in the world meets some of the criteria for ADHD some of the time. In fact there are many people who meet most of the criteria almost all of the time and yet they would not qualify for a diagnosis? Why? Because no matter how hyper or inattentive you are if it does not cause a problem in your functioning then it is not a disorder.

Highly intelligent people often don't get diagnosed with things like ADHD or even dyslexia until late high school or college because up to that point they have found strategies that allow them to succeed in their own way.

People with ADHD are often resistant to doing things any way but their own, they don't know why, but when we slow them down in counseling and explore it they have usually determined that the “typical” way of doing things won't work for them.

Contrary to popular belief people do not out grow ADHD. They just find strategies that work for them in helping them negotiate their environment. Often once people leave the academic world they no longer need medication, just as some people only need glasses for reading.

ADHD is real. It is as genetically linked as height but up until the 1970's we called it things like “minimal brain dysfunction.” and so parents often do not realize that they had it themselves until they go to the doctor to get their child diagnosed.

Today about 1 in 25 children are diagnosed with ADHD, but if the diagnostic trend continues at its current pace I believe that number will go to 1 in 10. My experience suggests that this will be close to the actual rate but 50% of people diagnosed with ADHD will not actually have it, and 50% of people who have it will not be diagnosed.

ADHD is more prevelant now because we live in a society of near constant stimuli so when the demand for extended concentration is placed upon a mind that is pre-disposed toward ADHD they are going to be more likely to struggle.

People with ADHD CAN focus on certain things, like video games, or other things they like. This does not mean they do not have the disorder. In fact, people with ADHD tend to have hypo (not enough) and hyper (too much) focus, when confronted with different stimuli.

The good news is ADHD is extremely treatable and there are very few side effects from treatment. If you think you or your child is suffering from ADHD go to a qualified professional and begin the process of diagnosis. Beware any one who does not at least give you a checklist to be filled out by parents, teachers, and the student. If a person suffers from bi-polar disorder the stimulant medication usually used for ADHD can lead to highly agitated behavior and that is why all medications need to be prescribed and reviewed by a doctor.

A final warning. Many people with ADHD try to self medicate using marijuana. This is the WORST thing you could do. A brain with ADHD is like a heavily loaded truck trying to drive up a hill. It doesn't have quite the energy so the engine is whining and straining. A stimulant medication is like a burst of turbo boost to get it over the hill. Marijuana is like suddenly throwing the truck in reverse. Sure the engine stops straining, but we never get over the hill and that shift of gears will make it harder to get over the hill the next time.