Is ADHD Being Overdiagnosed?

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), millions of children in the United States have been diagnosed with ADHD. Surprisingly, over time, this number has increased.

So, what’s going on here? Is ADHD actually being overdiagnosed? What does an “overdiagnosis” mean? In this article, we’re going to dig into all of this.

Defining “Overdiagnosis”

Basically, an overdiagnosis means that a condition has been diagnosed but that it may not cause symptoms or issues in a person’s life. This differs from a “misdiagnosis” in that the person actually has a condition but the diagnosis itself is wrong.

The problem is that an overdiagnosis can lead to unnecessary stress and treatments within a person’s life. And this is exactly what many parents may worry about when taking their child in for an ADHD evaluation or testing.

In fact, recent research shows that ADHD is commonly overdiagnosed in children and young adults, leading to treatments that aren’t necessary. This can lead to increased anxiety and depression, as well as unnecessary financial costs.

So, what actually defines ADHD? And what exactly constitutes treatment for ADHD?

What is ADHD?

ADHD, also known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental disorder in children and adults, causing impulsiveness, problems with prioritizing, difficulties staying on task, excessive recklessness, and more.

However, similar symptoms to ADHD are found in:

• Anxiety disorders
• Depressive disorders
• Bipolar disorders
• Autism
• Learning disabilities
• Oppositional defiant disorder
• And more.

This is why you want to ensure you’re taking your child to a reputable center or clinic for a diagnosis. This ensures a misdiagnosis doesn’t happen, as well as helps your child get the treatment they need.

Diagnosing ADHD

At Pathways Neuropsychology Association, our experts perform thorough ADHD testing. In fact, there isn’t one specific test for ADHD. Rather, it’s about performing a comprehensive and expert evaluation to determine if ADHD is the cause of certain symptoms. In this evaluation, our experts use behavioral questionnaires, IQ tests, personality tests, cognitive ability testing, and academic testing.

The Pathways Neuropsychology Association knows that other disorders and conditions may mimic the signs and symptoms of ADHD. For instance, an anxious, stressed, or depressed child may have difficulty concentrating or experience frequent distractions.

At the same time, 80% of individuals diagnosed with ADHD also have other psychiatric disorders. Our comprehensive ADHD evaluation helps identify what is really going on, ensuring we can help you or your child in the best way possible. Contact us today for more information or to schedule your assessment.