ADHD is Real (Like All Mental Disorders Are)

I recently came across the unintentionally funny op-ed piece by John Rosemond, a family psychologist known for his controversial views on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other childhood behavioral issues. In the piece, he laments how he was dis-invited from a recent speaking invitation because of his views. In short, he says, “Those facts include that ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and bipolar disorder of childhood are not realities; rather, they are constructs.” Of course they are constructs. But so is nearly everything we’ve created to navigate human existence. Rosemond is known for being skeptical when it comes to the ADHD and other childhood disorder diagnoses. In a sense, I don’t blame him. Childhood disorder diagnoses have increased over the past two decades, leading some to claim there is an overdiagnosis of ADHD. A few years ago, I examined these claims and came to the conclusion that there may be increased diagnoses of these kinds of childhood disorders, but it’s hard to say it’s an “over” diagnosis. After all, harried doctors giving out sloppy mental health diagnoses (and the resulting ADHD medications to help treat it) is a very real concern. But it’s a long jump to make from these complicated issues to then claim, “Well, these aren’t even real disorders.” You Can See a Tumor After All! Rosemond provides a simple example to illustrate his proof that mental disor...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: ADHD and ADD Brain and Behavior Disorders General Mental Health and Wellness Policy and Advocacy Psychology adhd is real are mental disorders real is adhd real mental diagnoses mental illness is a myth Myth Of Mental Illness Source Type: blogs