ADHD is not overdiagnosed, but it may be often misdiagnosed. Sometimes people think ADHD is overdiagnosed because diagnoses have increased over time. It could be true that some diagnosed people do not really have ADHD.
Issues with overtreatment
Although it is true that overdiagnosis means that some people without ADHD receive treatment, on the whole, people with ADHD are actually undertreated. Most treatment guidelines point to the benefit of both medication and behavioral and lifestyle interventions.
Research finds ADHD is overdiagnosed, but experts remain unconvinced. While fears have been raised about overdiagnosis, there are also concerns about the possible implications for clinicians, patients and families. Researchers are concerned about the potential long-term impacts of overdiagnosing ADHD.
The causes of overdiagnosis may include changes in diagnostic thresholds, poor diagnostic practices, and advertising by the pharmaceutical industry. Overdiagnosis leads to overtreatment, and dramatic increases in prescriptions for adult ADHD during the last decade should arouse concern.
ADHD is the most prevalent mental disorder affecting children in Australia – it affects approximately 281,200 Australian children and adolescents (aged 0-19) In Australia ADHD is currently under-diagnosed, particularly in girls and in the adult population.
Since you can treat and manage ADHD with medication and psychotherapy, the organisation doesn't list this disorder as a disability. Currently, the National Disability Insurance Scheme doesn't consider ADHD a permanent disability or impairment.
Overall, the study found that about 20 percent – or 900,000 – of the 4.5 million children currently identified as having ADHD likely have been misdiagnosed.
Studies have shown that symptoms of bipolar disorder often overlap with those of ADHD, making it hard to diagnose both of these disorders. Bipolar disorder is marked by mood swings between periods of intense emotional highs and lows.
Rather, the rise seems to be due to an increase in access to healthcare; a decrease in stigmatization about receiving mental health care; and greater awareness of the symptoms of ADHD among clinicians, guardians, educators, and patients. In the past, ADHD was only diagnosed in children who were hyperactive.
Positions range from the view that ADHD is within the normal range of behavior to the hypothesis that ADHD is a genetic condition. Other areas of controversy include the use of stimulant medications in children, the method of diagnosis, and the possibility of overdiagnosis.
ADHD has been a subject of great controversy and debate. A number of people who have been diagnosed with the syndrome—some of them psychologists and psychiatrists—have challenged the notion that personality traits such as inattentiveness, impulsivity, and distractibility deserve the label symptoms.
A psychologist, a psychiatrist, or a neurologist is best equipped to diagnose ADHD in adults. A master level therapist is recommended only for the initial screening. Only a psychiatrist, neurologist, or family physician can prescribe medication for adults with ADHD.
Because many of the symptoms of ADHD overlap with those of many other conditions, misdiagnosis can occur. If ADHD is not the cause of the symptoms, they can become worse with the stimulants the doctor prescribes for treatment.
Autism spectrum disorder and ADHD are related in several ways. ADHD is not on the autism spectrum, but they have some of the same symptoms. And having one of these conditions increases the chances of having the other. Experts have changed the way they think about how autism and ADHD are related.
ADHD in Adults
In the U.S., studies indicate that about 4.4% of adults have ADHD. About 5.4% of men in the U.S. have diagnosed ADHD, while 3.2% of women in the U.S. have the same. In the U.S., ADHD diagnoses are more prevalent in white people than in other ethnic groups.
If your child seems hyperactive--fidgety, impulsive, and inattentive--don't automatically assume that they have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Anxiety, depression, learning disorders, physical health, and many other conditions can cause symptoms that look like ADHD but aren't.
Masking in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) refers to the conscious or subconscious efforts of individuals to hide or suppress their symptoms in order to conform to social expectations or avoid negative judgments and stigmatization.
Symptoms of Mood Swings in ADHD
Switching from excited one moment to sad, angry, or anxious the next. Fluctuating between having trouble paying attention and hyperfocusing on an activity. Having bursts of energy and fatigue through the day. Feeling emotions intensely and having difficulty regulating them.
Bottom line: If you're doubting the accuracy of your ADHD diagnosis, you can always get a second opinion. Talk with your doctor or therapist about why you're concerned, and together you can come up with next steps to help you feel more confident about your treatment plan.
Indeed, if the TOVA test is used as the sole criteria to diagnose or rule out ADHD, it is quite possible that because of “false negatives” from the T.O.V.A assessment, the patient's ADHD may remain undiagnosed without treatment.
Bipolar is one of the most frequently misdiagnosed mental health issues. Somewhere between 1.4 and 6.4 percent of people worldwide are affected by bipolar disorder. However, it's hard to say which number is more accurate due to the frequency of wrongful diagnosis.
Effects of masking your ADHD
ADHD that is undiagnosed can prevent people from receiving support that studies have shown to be beneficial. The stress of masking untreated or undiagnosed ADHD might contribute to anxiety and depression, similar to the way 2021 research demonstrates this connection in autistic people.
Misdiagnosis is not uncommon when high IQ and ADHD collide. Very bright children who are also highly active are sometimes misdiagnosed with ADHD. On the other hand, some highly intelligent children with ADHD can focus on things that interest them for an extended period of time, which can lead to misdiagnosis as well.
To get diagnosed with ADHD, you'll need to be evaluated by a medical professional. An accurate and well-rounded ADHD diagnosis is a complex, multi-step process including a clinical interview, a medical history review, and the completion of normed rating scales by loved ones, educators, and/or colleagues.