ADHD: Is it over-pathologized and over-diagnosed? Understanding potential reasons for the over-diagnosis of ADHD and how different theoretical lenses may explain ADHD and it’s rising prevalence rates.

Abstract

ADHD is a complex neuro-developmental disorder characterized by difficulty staying focused, decision making processes, and general organization skills. In recent years, ADHD rates have been on a steady incline, raising fear that ADHD may be over-diagnosed or over-pathologized. The goal of this paper is to explore the potential reasons as to why ADHD prevalence rates are increasing, and come to a closer understanding of whether or not ADHD is over-diagnosed or not. Furthermore, we will discuss possible theoretical lenses potential perspectives on the idea of ADHD being over diagnosed, specifically psychoanalytic, socio-cultural, and evolutionary.