A D H D — Normal High Energy or Disordered Behavior? infographic description
The infographic is titled, Thinking Critically About: A D H D—Normal High Energy or Disordered Behavior? The learning objective question 15-24 reads, why is there controversy over attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder? Text reads as follows from top to bottom:
Diagnosis in the U.S.: 9.4 percent of the 2 to 17-year-olds are diagnosed (CDC, 2019a) and 2.5 percent adults are diagnosed in the U.S. (Simon et al., 2009). Less often in many other countries, such as Norway and Sweden (MacDonald et al., 2019; Smith, 2017); Twice as often in BOYS as in girls.
Symptoms: Inattention and distractibility (Martel et al., 2016); hyperactivity (Kofler et al., 2016); and impulsivity.
SKEPTICS note: Energetic child plus boring school equals A D H D overdiagnosis. Children are not designed to sit for hours in chairs inside; The youngest children in a class tend to be more fidgety—and more often diagnosed (Chen, M. et al., 2016); Older students may seek out stimulant A D H D prescription drugs– “good-grade pills” (Schwarz, 2012); What are the long-term effects of drug treatment? Why the increase in A D H D diagnoses and drugs? (Ellison, 2015. Hales et al., 2018; Sayal et al., 2017).
SUPPORTERS note: More diagnoses reflect increased awareness; “A D H D is a real neurobiological disorder whose existence should no longer be debated” (World Federation for Mental Health, 2005); A D H D is associated with abnormal brain structure, abnormal brain activity patterns, and future risky or antisocial behavior (Ball et al, 2019; Hoogman et al., 2019).
Causes? May co-exist with a learning disorder or with defiant and temper-prone behavior; May be genetic (Nikolas & Burt, 2010; Poelmans et al., 2011; Volkow et al., 2009; Williams et al., 2010).
Treatment: Stimulant drugs (Ritalin and Adderall) calm hyperactivity, and increase ability to sit and focus (Barbaresi et al., 2007). So do behavior therapy and aerobic exercise (Cerrillo-Urbina et al., 2015; Pelham et al., 2016). Psychological therapies help with the distress of A D H D (Fabiano et al., 2008).
The bottom line: Extreme inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity can derail social, academic, and work achievements. These symptoms can be treated with medication and other therapies. But the debate continues over whether normal high energy is too often diagnosed as a psychiatric disorder, and whether there is a cost to the long-term use of stimulant drugs in treating A D H D.