Overdiagnosis is not a problem, but misdiagnosis may be as people are driven into the private sector by long waits, and sadly, missed diagnoses remain common —Tamsin Ford
Experts are warning that far from being over-diagnosed, people with ADHD are waiting too long for assessment, support and treatment.
I have ADHD along with many other learning disorders and trust me, ADHD is really being over diagnosed. Children nowadays spend 12 to 15 hours a day nonstop doomscrolling short form content on TikTok and of course that is gonna impact their ability to concentrate and focus.
Many doctors who diagnose those things are old (in my country, for example, it takes DECADES to be allowed to work in the field) and are so old they’re just not prepared for ts so they just flag everyone as ADHD
The experts whose jobs are dependent on over-diagnosis.
The loudmouth who doesn’t really know anything
the first author on the paper is Samuele Cortese, he’s a tenured full professor who studies sleep disorders, ADHD, and neurodevelopmental disorders - literally nothing about his job is contingent on over-diagnosis of ADHD …
His job is literally dependent on it.
I’m just sick of being unmedicated because there’s always a shortage of medicine or my insurance wants to be a fuck nugget. I can’t even function properly without mine and have severe anxiety over losing my job because of this shit. Fuck American healthcare, fuck insurance companies.
I think that it is a combination of better diagnostic practices, diagnostic ambiguities, and ever popular exploitation. I know individuals with ADHD who fit the bill to me, and I know individuals who acknowledge they don’t have it and yet have a prescription. So, there is some unfortunate noise in the statistics, because of abusers.
Why is there never any nuance in these discussions? We can both believe that under-diagnosis occurs, and that over-diagnosis occurs. 20% of all pupils in the UK are now classified as so disabled that they require specialised assistance. “SEND” assistance for this can range from free taxi services to and from school (which recently reached £1.2 billion), to support payments, to special assistants in school. The number of ECHP students (those with the highest needs) increasing by 71%, from 253,679 in 2018 to 434,354 in 2024. SEND spending is out of control.
So what happened, exactly? The average child disability rate in Europe is 4.6%. How did the UK end up with 20%? Did the UK suffer a catastrophic nuclear event? A war? Famine? None of the above. It is clear that categorisation has become EXTREMELY loose over time on average. This does not mean that there are not children who are struggling to get diagnosed with ADHD. However ADHD and autism are a spectrum disorder. It is not binary. The UK has drawn the line far closer to the normal side of the spectrum than any other nation on Earth. If costs continue to rise at this rate, it risks destabilising the entire health system. Public sentiment will shift, and we risk undermining children getting any diagnosis at all.
IMHO, this requires at least two tactics at the same time. 1) Invest sufficiently into diagnosis resources. Stringing parents and children along for years while they wait in the system can make the issue much worse than it needs to be. 2) Draw the diagnostic line closer to where the rest of Europe does it. This will mean far fewer children are diagnosed with disabilities, but those who genuinely have a disability are treated much faster and actually receive the resources they need.
This will mean far fewer children are diagnosed with disabilities, but those who genuinely have a disability
You’re going to have to elaborate on what a genuine disability is there chief. Let me help you out:
- lead poisoning.
- microplastics
- plastics in general
- glyphosate (round up)
- air pollution
- mosquito spraying
- etc.
You’re going to have to elaborate on what a genuine disability is there chief. Let me help you out:
The UK Equality Act defines a person disabled if they have a physical or mental impairment, and the impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
I believe all of those things you listed were much worse in the 70s (with the potential exception of microplastics) when disability rates were much lower. There is no proof that microplastics are causing autism and ADHD (and a thousand other disabilities). What has changed is diagnostic criteria. In the UK they have become much looser.
I believe all of those things you listed were much worse in the 70s
Who are the current young people’s parents? Do you think any adverse effects are biologically inherited?
There is no evidence that lead poisoning, for example, can be inherited. There is some research that certain epigenetic changes can be inherited. The context is sometimes war and famine. But that is 2-4 degrees of abstraction away from your question, and we are many decades away from any kind of causative conclusion to that.
If I were to steelman your position, I think there are simpler changes to point to as potential causes here. Social media. Screen time. Time spent outside and exercising. Obesity. Time spent socialising. The new “permissive” method of parenting and teaching.
All of those things are at lower levels than the 1970s.
There’s less microplastics now than in the 70s?
Yes.
i don’t what’s sadder - missed diagnosis or the this thread.
This thread somehow brought out some of the most misinformed, boomer-brain takes imaginable and comes dangerously close to anti-intellectualism. We can all agree that labels can be reductive and unhelpful, but as someone with a neurological disability, seeing people debate whether a disorder that makes it incredibly hard to enjoy my life is even real or not is fucking horrible.
Well you’re a severe case, and these people likely are talking about mild cases.
This is goal post moving bullshit.
Why, there should be varying degrees when it comes to over prescription. Like opioids, I’m sure some people need them for good reason, but they were over prescribed.
That doesn’t matter; that kind of ‘criticism’ ends up stigmatizing medication altogether, even for whom it can be lifesaving.
Because the people making the claim that ADHD is overdiagnosed and medication is overprescribed are not only talking about mild cases. Then when someone with a good point comes along, suddenly we are only talking about mild cases.
So, moving goal posts.
It doesn’t matter how mild or serious you have ADHD. If you need treatment there shouldn’t be a boomer shaped barrier in the way making it seem like it isn’t real.
Maybe I read different comments, when this was posted.
The moral panic of overdiagnosis comes from conservatism’s obsession with hypernormalcy. Basically unless your really-really failed to be normal, you’re not allowed to stray from it, and even then, it would be good if you were normal, because they like the virtue of normalcy, and also thinking is hard, and also also change is bad.
Yes this explains modern transphobia a lot. Some admitted, that it has to be “all undone”, because people stopped trying to be normal first and foremost. This also partly explains gatekeeping in fandoms.
Any diagnosis means someone might demand something of them. It might be consideration, tax money, or some other inconvenience like actually having to apply thought and accommodation to anyone not fitting their idea of conformity. I agree with where you’re pointed, but it isn’t a “moral panic”, it’s their unwillingness to expend anything of themselves for others.
I’m seeing a lot of people here being supportive of individuals with disabilities and that’s awesome because ability is a temporary condition. We come into this world disabled and most of us leave it disabled. That being said, when you look at the number of Ivy League students in America who have these disabilities, it is very, very questionable for to say it is not being over diagnosed. Overall they’re probably trying to do a good thing, but there is a huge amount of abuse in this system and that actually leads to disabled people being overlooked and instead pharma companies just pursue a profit. Over diagnosis leads to under diagnosis as unintuitive as that sounds.
All ADHD means is that someone doesnt fit into the corporate america greed driven lifestyle. In my opinion, its not natural to live like that anyways, so I dont know that ADHD is real in the way we think of it now.
We shouldnt be trying to conform every person into the same tiny box, because we are all different.
I’ll tell my friend that her Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria is actually fake and she’s just applying the Corporate America Greed Driven Lifestyle to her close relationships, that’s going to be great news for her.
ADHD is a lot of things.
Are we calling RSD ADHD now?
I get it, everything is ADHD. Makes sense.
RSD is a very common symptom of adhd because the effect of adhd on the brain creates RSD by default. There are other ways to develop RSD but it’s a symptom of adhd.
Its similar to how bleeding is a symptom of a cut, there are other ways to bleed but a cut will do it almost every time.
Well now I want to know how else we can bleed without a cut.
Well a cut is a very specific case of a wound. You could for example get a laceration without being cut. Or you get a nosebleeding from dry air or you could get an aneurysm and get internal bleeding
Well then you definitely don’t understand it I guess.
Maybe, I dont think anyone does. I do know the people who think they know for sure the problem and the solution are wrong though. We can keep medicating ourselves though, I’m sure the research is sound and its all been figured out.
It might have a lot of unknowns still, but it’s been figured out a hell of a lot more than “you don’t actually have a differently functioning brain, you just don’t subscribe to American Greed ™️.”
Well I don’t think people are coming to this thread looking for medical advice, so I would hope no one takes anything anyone here says and applies it to their lives without criticism.
I’d be likely to change my mind if someone could show me evidence that ADHD happens in all human populations to some degree. I have doubt’s that there are cases of ADHD among uncontacted peoples, for instance.
“I want evidence from people that are definitionally unable to be studied.” Fuck off with that and engage the idea with intellectual honesty. Also putting the entire onus on other people to change your mind.
Why are you talking to me if you dont want to change my mind?
I’m just supposed to spontaneously come up with your idea and go with it? ADHD is mostly a bullshit excuse, whether people know it or not. If you can prove its not somehow then be my guest, otherwise kindly fuck off.
I can agree with much of that. I’ve seen people do this whole song and dance with autism, similar to saying people don’t have ADHD because they’re not annoying enough. Then they find out that autism is likely part of a cluster of mutations that always occur with certain deeply-disabiling genetic disorders, but can also stand alone. Self-diagnosis by people left out in the cold should not be necessary. A good treatment system needs to evolve to fit patients’ needs not the inverse lol
No shit. Think how many prisoners just had untreated ADHD, so many preventably ruined lives!
Why? Because the sadistic fucks realized they could easily get away with it, to feed on a prey that no one would or could defend, because ADHD does not easily show in brain scans.
We need objective tests, and to not do the test should be a crime that the parents should go to jail for!
parents should go to jail for!
To get my son’s ASD and ADHD diagnosed I’ve spent over $5k, tens of hours of calls, interviews, meetings and sessions) just in diagnosis costs (and about $21k in occupational and psychological support) in order to prove the bleeding obvious to the state in order order to have him placed in a support school.
And that’s whilst supporting his daily needs and working full time (and God knows how much OT).
It’s not an easy road. The costs are prohibitive and I live in a country where neither private health nor the “universal” healthcare covers the cost of specialists and treatments.
It’s no surprise it’s underdiagnosed let alone treated.
And that’s whilst dealing with my other kid suicide attempts and my partners chronic health condition (lots of neurological specialists).
It’s a hard road
That is why I suggest it be a state-thing, where you are obligated (and covered).
EDIT: Also, how insensitive of me, sorry you had to go through all that, let’s try and make sure no one has to go through it ever again.
tens of hours of calls, interviews, meetings and sessions)
Only tens? Luckyyy… I’d probably be able to clock hundreds just on transit and wait times alone.
I toned it down because the truth would sound unbelievable.
But yes I’ve been in the waiting place for a long time.
Doubly hard when waiting is the last thing a kid with ADHD and ASD can stand do… Sigh
If ADHD is common enough to be prelevant in 5% of population… Then to me it seems like its not something we should be drugging people for, but instead adjust the lives to it?
I mean we don’t give “righ-handeness” drugs to left-handed people. We give them left-handed scissors.
Hang on guys, medical intervention is out if an ailment is common enough. Let’s un-laser those eye surgeries and smash those glasses! Time to adjust!
“ 12.0% Estimated percentage of the U.S. population with diabetes”
So, should diabetes not be treated?
It’s just speed, just stimulants. Caffeine is an example of legal self-titration. When done properly, the doses are not high and it can really help. IMO meth-heads are a symptom of disproportionate availability of the real thing (only sometimes coca-cola).
Having said that, I am not on board with widespread use in developing brains, much as with caffeine
It’s not just speed, just stimulants.
No thanks, I’d like to be able to think with a clear head, and do something with my life, not be stuck in one of like 6 suitable work places.
10% of women have endometriosis. Would you take away their pain meds? You can make their work life easier (more sick leave) but then it still affects their personal life.
ADHD is so much more than “can’t pay attention in class”. It affects your personal life too. Usually that’s a deciding factor for getting meds.
My friends and partner are super understanding about my ADHD, I’m unmedicated and there is really no big issue. If you have a culture of understanding and tolerance, it doesn’t feel like a disability. I wish for you to experience that one day, it really is quite amazing.
Left-handed scissors is the perfect analogy. But drugs can be left-handed scissors.
“Understanding and tolerance” is an individualized “solution” for decaying welfare states that have lost sight of any political solution other than begging their masters for treats that have been in decline since the end of the Cold War.
It’s really not.
Not every adhd is equally severe nor do they all affect the same parts of people’s lives. I’m happy this works for you but it does not mean it works for everyone.
I have not said that there is only one possibility. Obviously the tools given need to be adjusted to the individual. But the same way I am not allowed to make general statements and dismiss yours, you are not allowed to dismiss mine. If you treat ADHD less like a disease or something bad, I’m sure it will generally improve outcomes, even if the actual severity is different across people.
If you have a culture of understanding and tolerance, it doesn’t feel like a disability
This is you extrapolating your personal experience to dismiss the difficulties many face that have nothing to do with tolerance and understanding and everything to do with their brain chemistry undermining their social life and ability to engage with hobbies.
Yes. Let’s take your personal anecdote and make it policy. People can just fix the environment to be accepted, change the world for the better and stuff like that.
Your ADHD is not the same as another persons.
Endometriosis is not something that shares symptoms which can be caused by kids being chronically under slept AFAIK. U.S. psychiatrists and therapists are completely incompetent and will not check for basic sleep issues and instead just drug kids. I’m all for finding comprehensive treatment for executive dysfunction of all kinds, but I just don’t think methylphenidate and amphetamines etcetera are suitable for as many situations as believed.
Yes, that’s exactly what the article is about.
Overdiagnosis is not a problem, but misdiagnosis may be as people are driven into the private sector by long waits
Well, the real problem is living in a capitalist society that expects everyone to be a good little capitalist and work a 9-5.
The problem isn’t having adhd, its that society expects me to function in a certain way, and the fact that I don’t makes them want to change how I act.
There are other traits I have from trauma that are considered positive by society, so they don’t give a shit, and in fact encourage those behaviors.
Oh, Jesus fucking Christ fuck off with this take
My problem isn’t my job, I am completely fine with that, it’s the way I barely function in my personal life, and a lot of that isn’t related to the structure of our society at all. There could be less friction in a few places yes but that wouldn’t completely fix my issues either.
Sorry but no. 9-5 is hell, but even without that life isn’t pretty. A huge one is rejection sensitivity, that pretty much only affects personal life. Can’t really ask people to accommodate for that.
Thank you for explaining adhd to me. I just wasn’t getting the disorder I have until you came along.
I kinda didn’t? I just don’t buy the “capitalist society is built for neurotypical people”. It’s built by psychopaths and most working class people survive in it, not many are thriving. We’ve got a harder time in it but ADHD would still suck in a healthier society.
It’s the left-handedness chart all over again.
Paid for by the cocaine industry
Why do we need to have a study on this when we can just listen to grandpa’s opinion, planted in his mind by Fox News?
I spent most of my life undiagnosed, because it used to be believed that only boys could have ADHD. But I knew, and was formally diagnosed as an adult only at the insistence of my partner.
Like many adults I just got recently diagnosed in my mid 30s.
For me it was that I can’t have adhd because I was good at school and uni. Then I completely fell apart when I entered work.
I had to go through depression and burn out and bore out and more. Eventually someone said I could have adhd and just been able to deal due to high IQ.
Turns out that’s what it was. I’m really good at learning new stuff. So school and uni. I really suck at repeating the same shit all day. So work. Welp. Helps to know.
Huh, never conceived of it that way. I was stellar in secondary school, burnt out in university and crashed out in post-grad plans/attempts. Still trying to revisit those, but have to go at a slower pace.
I’ve felt like my brain just works… slowly. But I also seem to be pretty good at learning/picking up new things, because the novelty is key. That is definitely a helpful way to reframe it!
Wow, this could have been written by me. I got diagnosed last year in my early 50s after my 4th burnout. I’m currently assessing career options and try to work out what to do next. Unfortunately one has to make money to survive, I’m just trying to find something that won’t break me again. Bonus points if it’s interesting too.
This is where I am too, in my late 30s. Had a really bad year last year reaching burn out and ending up with panic disorder 😵 I wonder if changing to a job that’s more systematic would help, but also the boredom kills me and I need money. I hope you figure it out!
To my understanding it shows up differently in women. What were your symptoms? Also some women get diagnosed with it during perimenopause.
Perimenipause is an absolute nightmare. It makes ADHD much much worse.
