ADHD is real
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ADHD is stigmatized and misunderstood
There is a stigma that surrounds ADHD. Many believe that ADHD is not a real disorder, or that too many people are diagnosed with the disorder, especially children. Denying the existence of this disorder is damaging to those with ADHD, feeling that they need to hide their disorder in fear of being shamed, or that others may think they are making up excuses for their behavior.
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The Argument
As the number of ADHD diagnoses increases, the stigma that surrounds the disorder continues, as well as the debate on whether ADHD actually exists. Questions such as “Is ADHD real?” and “is it over-diagnosed?” are common among health professionals, with many fighting to prove that the condition is a valid disorder.
The misunderstanding of ADHD comes from the fact that we aren’t entirely sure where the disorder comes from, or why it is developed. Many scientists believe it is genetic, while others suggest that environmental factors are a leading cause. Whatever the cause may be, ADHD is a real condition that affects more than 5 million children in the United States today. [1]
There are several disorders that still remain mysterious to health professionals today, but people are still being treated for them. Conditions such as bi-polar disorder are accepted as a valid condition and are being treated, though the exact cause of bi-polar disorder is still unknown. If we were to turn these individuals away from receiving the right treatment, their lives would be greatly affected. [2]ADHD should not be treated any differently. Many people have received treatment for ADHD, and have reported positive, long-lasting results. Putting a negative connotation around ADHD may cause people to not seek out treatment, in fear of being shamed for their condition.
Counter arguments
The stigma that surrounds ADHD stems from the idea that patients are being misdiagnosed. Many signs of ADHD, such as restlessness and the inability to focus, are closely aligned with symptoms of other conditions. While it may seem wrong or insensitive to say that ADHD doesn’t exist, the belief may come from the possibility of being misdiagnosed, or the fear that a more serious condition may not be realized. These alternative conditions may be anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or a learning disability. The treatment for ADHD may not be as effective if they are being treated for the wrong condition.
There is also the fear that health professionals are too quick to give someone an ADHD diagnosis. Why is there a shockingly large amount of children diagnosed with ADHD in the United States compared to other parts of the world? And why are they diagnosed at such an early age? Some children are diagnosed at only three years old, which may be considered too young, since they haven’t been given enough time to develop. Studies have shown that pre-schoolers with ADHD eventually outgrow their conditions. [3]The question is, did they “outgrow” their condition, or were they just being energetic children? Many health professionals around the world claim that the number of ADHD cases isn’t anywhere near the number of cases in the United States. Is this a coincidence? Questions like this are one of the reasons why ADHD is so stigmatized, as well as many other mental conditions.