Challenges in diagnosing and treating ADHD

Challenges in diagnosing and treating ADHD Professor Deborah Winders Davis from the University of Louisville School of Medicine outlines the challenges in diagnosing and treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most commonly diagnosed disorders in childhood in the United States. (1,2) Approximately 11% of US children aged three to 17 years have ever had the diagnosis; (1) rates in the UK are less than half that. True, worldwide prevalence is difficult to determine due to gaps in data collection for various reasons. (3) Some reasons for variations in diagnosis may include provider bias, parental fears of being stigmatized, leading to under-reporting or not seeking help, differences in educational policies and practices, and increased risks associated with environmental factors, to name a few. There are risks associated with both under-diagnosing and over-diagnosing. Additionally, there are risks associated with treatment types.