ADHD: Examining the Controversy Surrounding Its Existence

This essay critically examines the debate surrounding Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), questioning its classification as a disease. It delves into the symptoms, variations in presentation, and the limitations of current diagnostic criteria. The essay references studies and expert opinions, including perspectives from Harvard psychologists, to explore the controversy. It analyzes the role of environmental pressures, internal balance, and behavioral factors in understanding ADHD. Furthermore, the essay discusses treatment approaches, including medication and alternative strategies such as Shared Decision Making and parental involvement. It concludes by arguing that ADHD may not be a disease in the traditional sense, emphasizing the importance of behavioral interventions and parental support over medication. The essay highlights the need for a nuanced understanding of ADHD and its impact on individuals, advocating for approaches that prioritize holistic well-being.

Running head: ADHD AS A DISEASE
ADHD as a disease
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1ADHD AS A DISEASE
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a disease that is caused primarily in children
due to the differences in the anatomy of the brain and the wirings that control activities and
reflex (Mulders, 2013). It is generally hereditary in nature. It adversely impacts self-control and
focus in the day to day life of individuals affected with it. As it is most prevalent in children, it
affects how they function in schools and even at home. The ability to organize and implement
working memory is lost due to this disease. The calm nature that impacts the decision making
process is lost in this case and the individuals affected often end up taking hasty decisions and
hence judgments and actions.
According to "Renowned Harvard Psychologist Says ADHD Is Largely A Fraud",
(2018), most children who are affected by this disease are either reported to perform poorly in
the educational context or show features in their body language that is a little different from the
rest of the children. Because of the wide variance in the features that differentiate some children
from the rest, ADHD is reported to increase among them. It should also be noted that such
children after diagnosis are treated with drugs. While most doctors claim that ADHD is a serious
disease and should be treated at whichever stage it is detected, most studies suggest that
indecisiveness and improper reflex is the general symptom for most children and their behaviors
widely vary. However, if this problem persists with the growing age of the children, then it
should be diagnosed only. According to "Renowned Harvard Psychologist Says ADHD Is
Largely A Fraud", (2018), the literature available for deciding the existence of this disease is not
enough and hence unreliable. The studies show that the degree of environmental pressures and
the internal balance of functions help in establishing if the disease actually exists or the reaction
is justifies depending on natural humanitarian behaviors.

2ADHD AS A DISEASE
In the aspect of behavioral crisis in children and individuals, it can be asserted that the
disease does not really exist because both the symptoms and the implications are not grave and
do not harm the affected people physically. Studies posit that millions of pharmaceutical
companies are earning billions just by making use of a disease that can be healed with the help of
the small gestures from the parents (Hinshaw & Scheffler, 2014). It is stated that it is important
for parents to persuade children about the fact that they are no different from others and do not
acknowledge the disease. This helps in promoting confidence in the children and individuals
suffering from the dilemma of being affected by this disease. Studies have asserted and hence
proven that the behavior of third party towards the patients is a very important factor determining
the recovery of the patients no matter at which stage the patient is diagnosed (Iudici et al., 2014).
Also, as it is a hereditary phenomenon, the issues can be best identified by the family members
including parents and spouses.
ADHD just like depression is a disease that is skeptical in its existence as the symptoms
and features include a wide range of variations and are not specific. Such diseases are diagnosed
in huge numbers because of the easy process of recovery implied by doctors and the availability
of a huge number of drugs. It is reported that these drugs are in fact of no use at times. Studies
assert that psychologists are primarily responsible for giving impetus to this disease as well as
pharmaceutical industries that increasingly develop new drugs for this disease through
immensely cost effective and easy processes (Barkley, 2013). According to "Renowned Harvard
Psychologist Says ADHD Is Largely A Fraud", (2018), the increasing trends and patterns cannot
be ignored. These trends and patterns go viral at an unprecedented speed and capture the thought
process of the cohort of people suffering from it. Studies also suggest that the presence of a tutor
or guide is the most crucial way to cure this disease rather than the medicines and drugs

3ADHD AS A DISEASE
manufactured for reasons of profit. This helps in the act of overcoming obstacles and performing
instant decision making from a very young age.
That the disease does not really exist can be proven by the fact that in several cases
parental initiatives taken at the preliminary stages of the symptoms have helped in the recovery
of more than half of the children population suffering from this disease. This has also positively
impacted the academic reports and the co-curricular activity performance and participation rates
of the same section of children. The phenomenon can be easily dealt with by parents when they
set their goals according to the goals that need to be set for their children. Shared Decision
Making (SDM) has been proven to be the ultimate remedy for strategizing and forming a
framework of activities that help cure the ailment the fastest and without the use of medications
and drugs that promote side effects in children. It is also considered to be the best method and
strategy as each family has some set of values and principles that they want to inculcate in their
children and they want their children to consider while making decisions. Statistics suggest that
over 81% of the parents had opted for SDM as the process to cure and heal their children (Fiks et
al., 2013).
Thus to conclude, it can be asserted that Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder cannot
be termed as a disease as it does not have any physical symptoms or specific features. Rather, the
symptoms are primarily behavioral and vary widely from children to children and also across
individuals. The literature regarding this phenomenon is also limited which makes it even more
skeptical of being actually considered to be a disease. Further, even though a section of the world
population considers this to be a serious disease and heals it with the approach of diagnosis
through medication, most of the children suffering from this phenomenon are approached in a
strategic manner by their parents in which they apply Shared Decision Making to incorporate

4ADHD AS A DISEASE
values and principles that are intrinsic in their family and set goals to improve the situation of the
children. Parental help and coaching provided in schools is proven to be the most effective
means of solving this problem instead of drugs that do not work most of the time and affects
children adversely.

5ADHD AS A DISEASE
References:
Barkley, R. A. (2013). Taking charge of ADHD: The complete, authoritative guide for parents.
Guilford Press.
Fiks, A.G., Mayne, S., DeBartolo, E., Power, T.J. and Guevara, J.P., 2013. Parental preferences
and goals regarding ADHD treatment. Pediatrics, pp.peds-2013.
Hinshaw, S. P., & Scheffler, R. M. (2014). The ADHD explosion: Myths, medication, money,
and today's push for performance. Oxford University Press.
Iudici, A., Faccio, E., Belloni, E., & Costa, N. (2014). The Use of the ADHD Diagnostic Label:
What Implications Exist for Children and Their Families?. Procedia-Social and
Behavioral Sciences, 122, 506-509.
Mulders, B. (2013). Does ADHD exist?. Unpublished dissertation). Radboud University
Nijmegen, Netherlands.
Renowned Harvard Psychologist Says ADHD Is Largely A Fraud. (2018). Curious Mind
Magazine. Retrieved 25 April 2018, from https://curiousmindmagazine.com/harvard-
psychologist-says-adhd-largely-fraud/