ADHD: Wrong Diagnosis in Some Children

ADHD:Wrong Diagnosis in Some Children – Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD.) splits health professionals and parents alike, and it has been shown that around one million children are misdiagnosed with the disorder. This has come about due to them being the unlucky child in their year, being the least mature and/or the youngest in their class.

The study was performed by the Michigan State University, and the results were released on Tuesday. This, in effect, caused about 320 to 500 million dollars a year being spent on prescriptions for drugs to treat the disorder, with around 80 to 90 million of it paid by Medicaid, a public health insurance program for those who are in the poorer income bracket.


Ritalin (methylphenidate), a psychostimulant, is the drug most commonly used for ADHD in children. This drug is rather new, so many of it’s long term side affects are unknown. There have many been cases of children being on this drug reporting suicidal thoughts and feelings, depression, and odd sensations, both mental and physical.

Many see the prescription of Ritalin as doctors, parents and/or teachers taking the easy way out, as they do not know how to deal with their child, or do not want to deal with their child. It may make the child docile and seem ‘normal’, however how normal is a child that is more like a zombie than a child?

Category: Health News