The Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) increased rates detected in children may be caused by a wrong diagnosis of the patient due to common immature behavior for ages 5 and lower, according to the new study.
The ADHD is diagnosed when the patient shows an inability to sustain attention and control activity levels as well as impulse control.Yet a new study published in the Journal of Pediatrics claims that the attention disorder is over-diagnosed in kids worldwide as sometimes the immaturity of children is mistaken for attention deficit and hyperactivity.
The disorder can cause inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, however, that’s what being a kid is all about, or at least was. Kids, especially toddlers, are known to always be drifting through their own thoughts as children show to be very imaginative as well as energetic. So it’s not abnormal for children to show low interest when taking exams testing their attentiveness as well as showing an energetic attitude.
These attributes raise the question of whether the number of ADHD patients is really increasing due to unknown factors, or the disease is being diagnosed based on wrong data interpretation. As many drugs are involved in the ADHD treatment it seems pertinent to know if the disorder is really present in all children diagnosed with ADHD or if it was just incorrectly diagnosed in a vast majority of the cases due to elevated levels of immaturity or hyperactivity
Neuroscientists, however, doesn’t believe the condition exists at all, as they argue that everyone will display all, if not some of the symptoms during their lifetime. Researchers urge the relevant authorities to ensure that evaluations for ADHD are accurate and rely on a variety of sources of information that sustain the doctor’s opinion in deciding whether the diagnosis is met.
ADHD Outbreak vs. Mistaken Diagnosis
In recent years, the prescription for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder medicines has increased dramatically. In addition, it is worrying that the number of young children being diagnosed with ADHD is also increasing by the year. Upsettingly enough, prescriptions of Ritalin, a drug prescribed to treat ADHD has also increased, with incredibly doubled numbers since last year, according to the study.
These prescribed drugs can definitely pose a huge threat to children as it comes with side effects including weight loss, suicidal thoughts, liver toxicity and pubertal growth restraint. Common symptoms for patients diagnosed with ADHD include short attention span, restlessness and constant loss of focus, according to the National Health Service.
“Our finding emphasizes the importance of considering the age of a child within a grade when diagnosing ADHD and prescribing medication to treat ADHD,” said Dr. Chen, lead author of the study.
Source: The Telegraph