Nov 01, 2024 23:00:00

Researchers question whether ADHD should be considered a disorder, pointing out that it is just one of a range of different ways of thinking and behaving that is normal

In modern society,

attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), whose symptoms include a lack of attention relative to age and development, impulsivity, and restlessness, is considered a neurodevelopmental or developmental disorder. However, as scientific understanding of ADHD advances, experts are questioning whether ADHD should be considered a disorder at all.

Researchers are questioning if ADHD should be seen as a disorder
https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2024/10/30/researchers-are-questioning-if-adhd-should-be-seen-as-a-disorder

In recent years, the number of ADHD diagnoses has increased rapidly in many countries, with the number of people diagnosed with ADHD in 26,000 clinics and hospitals in the United States increasing by 60% from 2020 to 2022. It has also been reported that the number of prescriptions for ADHD medications by the National Health Service (NHS) in England doubled from 2018 to 2023.

The increase in diagnoses represents a better understanding of ADHD and a ray of hope for patients who previously went undiagnosed and unprescribed medication for the condition. But as the science of ADHD improves, more experts are questioning whether it should be considered a disorder.

According to experts, ADHD is simply another point on the

neurodiversity spectrum - one of many diverse ways of thinking and behaving - and is rather normal. Therefore, rather than using pharmacological interventions with ADHD medications, experts actively promote non-pharmacological interventions such as creating a supportive environment that leverages the patient's strengths and providing tools to help them deal with the challenges of everyday life.

When diagnosing ADHD, a series of questions are asked about inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and the severity of the problems caused by the symptoms. However, as The Economist points out, 'such subjective judgments are not optimal,' diagnosing and treating ADHD is not easy.

'In recent years, there has been growing acceptance that ADHD is different for each patient,' says Edmund Burke, a neuroscientist at King's College London. This means that certain psychological interventions, such as working memory treatments, may not work as well for different patients.

On the other hand, ADHD medications have the advantage of immediately improving a patient's ability to focus and concentrate by acting on dopamine and norepinephrine receptors in the brain. ADHD medications have also been shown to be associated with a reduced likelihood of long-term unemployment and a reduced risk of death in accidents in people diagnosed with ADHD.

However, ADHD medications can have a negative impact on physical growth and are associated with an increased risk of psychiatric and cardiac problems. As a result, some experts are arguing that rather than simply using ADHD medications, they should instead use a 'transdiagnostic' approach to treatment, which provides tailored support for an individual's specific cognitive, behavioral and emotional problems.

Nancy Doyle, from Birkbeck University, said: 'Rather than hoping that people with ADHD will naturally adapt to their environment, we need to actively redesign schools and workplaces - such as closing windows and doors to cut out distracting noises, or introducing standing and movement programmes for patients who have difficulty sitting still for long periods of time.'