Comments on: Diagnosing ADD/ADHD: The Real-Life Application of DSM Criteria

By: Donna Dart

Donna Dart — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:06:57 +0000

I just read a comment form one of your readers and it really hit home. I have a daughter who is talkative, energetic, bright, and a bit mischievious. Last year, one ofher teachers must have called me 6 times during one semester to tell me that my child has severe ADHD and should be considered for medicaiton immediately. The problem was that no other teacher had this concern about her. It turns she’d been making this “diagnosis” for each kid in her classroom who wasn’t quiet, still, and more easy to handle. Talk about misdiagnosing!

Donna D.

By: Jeff Mullis

Jeff Mullis — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:02:43 +0000

So how are we ever going to get a handle on making this sort of diagnosis with any kind of accuracy?

Jim M.

By: Bob Stewart

Bob Stewart — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:00:54 +0000

I have been complaining about this method of diagnosing ADD/ADHD forever! You are right – the subjective nature of pinpointing symptoms is not helpful in getting an accurate diagnosis. No wonder so many “active” and “mischievious” kids are getitng the ADD/ADHD label from their teachers!!!

B. Stewart

By: Stasia Roberts

Stasia Roberts — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 12:50:21 +0000

I agree. It seems very subjective. Given this criteria… we are all ADD lol!

By: Casey Ball

Casey Ball — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 12:48:25 +0000

I agree completely! I think that the diagnosis is very arbitrary. I only had to take a simple questionnaire… and whammo! I got ADD…. hum