Is ADD/ADHD over diagnosed or truly increasing?

Question

Answer

I don't think the number of people who have it is increasing. I do think that the more scientists learn about it and the more the spectrum evolves, people who may have gone undiagnosed 15 or 20 years ago now fit the DSM-V diagnostic criteria. Same with autism.

Answer

Completely over diagnosed. I work in mental health. To have true ADHD you need a neurological exam. Most times kids are energetic from not being outside parents and teachers get annoyed and *boom* ADHD. It's frustrating

Answer

This might be absolute bull but I found that while I was in school, teachers often decided, without consulting a doctor or specialist, that certain kids had ADD/ADHD. Many of those kids just had a tough home life and acted out. Instead of investing the time and effort it took to correct behavior they would slap on the disability sticker and move on with the rest of the class. Admittedly I had a seriously small school so might just have been my own bad experience. There are those who have ADD/ADHD and benefit greatly from the diagnosis. I just feel that people stop looking for a cause once they can blame it on this.

Answer

My friend went into the campus dr when we were sophomores and told them she was having a hard time focusing and walked out with a script for adderall. No sort of exam required. She's one of MANY I know that did this. It's crazy how easily some docs hand out those meds 😳

Answer

I don't think it's increasing, I think there is a higher understanding these days. I'm 30 and was only diagnosed with ADHD in the last couple years, having had the same behavioral symptoms....for the last 30 years. I am not currently on medication (by choice), and it is very hard to control. It is doable, but it is an every day battle. I do think there is a push to over-medicate, and that I don't agree with.

Answer

I was officially diagnosed a few months ago (I'm 24) it took me years to reach out for help and I'm so glad I finally did! Just telling someone helped greatly and Adderall has really helped me in a positive way.

Answer

I have ADHD, it's mellowed out extremely since I was a kid but I feel like some parents might just get tired of their kids natural playfulness and take them to a doctor and exaggerate their kids behavior to get them on meds....

Answer

I definitely don't think it's increasing and getting a diagnosis is really hard these days they look into other things before those and I thing sometimes it's miss diagnosed we went through testing for my son and they were really good they actually said his problem was his knowledge and way of thinking at 4 years old he had the way of thinking of an 8 year old and his problem was boredom of everything the school work was too easy for him his toys were too simple our activities were too simple and he was bord so he was acting up they moved him up a year at school and we got him more challenging stuff he's now nearly 8 and he's like a teen boy he's just a very clever kid x

Is ADD/ADHD over diagnosed or truly increasing?

Let's Glow!

The Top Baby Tracker App: Embrace New Beginnings with Tender Care

The Top Fertility Tracker App: Your Path to Achieving Pregnancy

The Top Pregnancy App: Nurturing Your Journey to Motherhood

The Top Period Tracker for Empowering Your Menstrual Health Journey