Assessment Description:
Please follow these steps:
- Begin by posting your Commentary Rough Draft by the deadline to TWO places: to the Topic 6 Commentary Peer Review Forum AND to the Topic 6 Commentary Rough Draft assignment box.
- Next, review the draft of the person who posted his/her response directly above yours in the Peer Review forum. If your draft is the last posted, review the first draft posted. Then, complete the "Peer Review Commentary Worksheet” (see attachment in Assignment dropbox).
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- Attach the file with your completed Peer Review Worksheet to the Commentary Peer Review Forum as a "reply" to the initial post of your peer's first draft.
- Please note that to participate in the peer review process you must post your essay by 11:59 pm (AZ time) on Wednesday of Topic 6.
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SOLUTION to ENG-105: English Composition I - First Draft of a Commentary | The Alarming Increase in ADHD Diagnoses.
SAMPLE 1
The Alarming Increase in ADHD Diagnoses
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most common childhood-onset neurodevelopmental disorder, characterized by persistent and impairing inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, with a high prevalence among children in the United States (U.S.) (Li et al., 2023). According to a study that used 2022 data from the National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) to estimate the prevalence of this disorder, approximately 1 in 9 U.S. children have ever received an ADHD diagnosis by 2022 and at least 6.5 million had current ADHD (Danielson et al. 2024). These statistics evidence that ADHD has become an increasingly prevalent condition over the years, raising serious concern across different groups such as medical professionals, parents, and educators alike. In this context, this commentary will seek to explore the trend of rising ADHD diagnoses as well as its potential causes, impacts on individuals, and any potential controversies related to this trend. Grand Canyon University posits that when explaining a subject, it is important to find a pattern of meaning. As a result, the commentary will also argue that a clear pattern of evolving diagnostic criteria and increased awareness emerges as major causes of this trend.
The Rising Trend of ADHD Diagnoses
The U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that the percentage of children estimated to have ADHD has changed over time with the number of diagnoses in children aged between 4-17 increasing from 7.8% in 2003 to 11% in 2011(CDC, 2024). This upward trend has continued with recent report from Danielson et al. (2024) indicating that pediatric ADHD remains an ongoing and expanding public health concern as approximately 1 million more children have ever received an ADHD diagnosis in 2022 than in 2016. This clearly demonstrates that ADHD diagnoses represent a significant trend rather than a fleeting fad, as Grand Canyon University states, “trends emerge and transform into durable and long-lasting change, whereas fads disappear over time”.
Although the statistics are much higher within the United States, the general overall rise of ADHD diagnoses is not exclusive to America. A study by Al-Wardat et al. (2024) that examined temporal trends in ADHD prevalence reported that the rates have risen in the past several decades, albeit with differences in variations between countries and regions of the world. This global aspect strengthens the analysis as to why ADHD diagnoses are a trend since according to Grand Canyon University (2022) “trends are omnipresent- that is, they appear everywhere because they transpire in different states or around the world”.
Potential Causes of the Trend
The increase in ADHD diagnoses trend is as a result of various factors. Improved diagnostic criteria and awareness, and overdiagnosis and misdiagnosis concerns are some of the potential causes this commentary will explore.
Improved awareness and diagnostic criteria
One factor contributing to the rise in ADHD diagnoses is the increased awareness and refinement of diagnostic criteria among healthcare providers. Abdelnour et al. (2022) argue that outside diagnostic changes, studies have provided other explanations for the rise of ADHD including increased awareness which is evidenced by ADHD-related searches on Google with the condition’s popularity being the highest it has ever been in March 2022. Additionally, when discussing the Criteria, functions, and forms of the diagnostic entity, Honkasilta and Koutsoklenis (2020) pointed out that different associations such as the American Psychiatric Association have undergone several revisions, in a bid to clarify and expand the criteria for ADHD diagnosis. This evolution in understanding has led to many more actual ADHD cases being identified that may have otherwise not been detected initially.
Overdiagnosis and misdiagnosis
Critics argue that the rise in ADHD diagnoses may also be partially attributed to overdiagnosis or misdiagnosis. Abdelnour et al. (2022) suggest that since ADHD depends on subjective criteria for diagnosis and there is pressure from parents and schools to explain children's troublesome conduct, the rates of the ADHD diagnosis soar often due to misdiagnosis of other disorders such as Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Furthermore, Kazda et al. (2021) also points out that in recent years, there has been an overdiagnosis of ADHD due to diagnostic inflation by widening the definition to include ambiguous or mild symptoms, changing diagnostic definition, and medicalizing behavioral patterns that previously would not have been considered abnormal. This controversy highlights the importance of critically examining the increase in ADHD diagnoses trend.
Effects of Increased ADHD Diagnoses
Impact on individuals
The rise in ADHD diagnoses has significant implications for affected individuals. Despite enhancing prognosis, it has been pointed out by Abdelnour et al. (2022) that there are issues of overprescribing medication, particularly for a disease like ADHD which could actually be a presentment of other diseases like OCD. As a result, there is likelihood to develop addictions to prescribed stimulants which are often associated with negative side effects such as decreased appetites, enhanced aggressive tendencies, and physical symptoms including headaches and gastrointestinal problems as pointed out by Nanda et al. (2023).
Societal and economic implications
Furthermore, there are social and economic consequences connected with increasing tendencies of ADHD diagnosis. Newcorn et al. (2023) reported that there has been an increase in healthcare costs associated with ADHD with an approximate figure of over a hundred billion dollars ($100 billion) to address ADHD in the United States. Consequently, this leads to more medical cost for all the affected individuals. Nonetheless, the trend has also created controversies such as medicalization of childhood behavior and the involvement of pharmaceutical companies in raising awareness of ADHD and treatment.
Evaluation of the Trend
As we evaluate the increase of ADHD diagnoses trend, it is essential to take into consideration the benefits of early diagnosis and medication, as well as the drawbacks of labeling and over-prescribing the condition. Abdelnour et al. ( 2022) underlines that while the accurate diagnosis of ADHD and optimal treatment for individuals diagnosed with the condition is a positive development, it is equally important not to lose sight of the fact that it is possible to pathologize normal variations in children’s behavior and development. In the same way, we must also work towards envisioning a new approach to addressing the experience of people diagnosed with ADHD and questioning the social and cultural-contextual factors that might contribute to the growing rate of ADHD diagnoses.
Conclusion
The trend of increased ADHD diagnoses forms a modern phenomenon that is rather diverse and entails numerous consequences for individuals, the society, and other spheres. Despite the enhanced awareness and diagnostic standards in ADHD, issues of overdiagnosis and overprescribing cannot be ruled out. Thus, it is crucial to stay skeptical and keep invaluable experience in the elaboration of the idea of ADHD on the one hand and its precise diagnostics and treatment on the other hand.
References
Abdelnour, E., Jansen, M. O., & Gold, J. A. (2022). ADHD diagnostic trends: increased recognition or overdiagnosis?. Missouri Medicine, 119(5), 467.
Al-Wardat, M., Etoom, M., Almhdawi, K. A., Hawamdeh, Z., & Khader, Y. (2024). Prevalence of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, adolescents and adults in the Middle East and North Africa region: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open, 14(1), e078849. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2023-078849
CDC. (2024, May 15). Facts About ADHD Throughout the Years. https://www.cdc.gov/adhd/data/adhd-throughout-the-years.html
CDC. (2024, May 16). Data and Statistics on ADHD. https://www.cdc.gov/adhd/data/index.html
Danielson, M. L., Claussen, A. H., Bitsko, R. H., Katz, S. M., Newsome, K., Blumberg, S. J., ... & Ghandour, R. (2024). ADHD Prevalence among US children and adolescents in 2022: Diagnosis, severity, co-occurring disorders, and treatment. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2024.2335625
Grand Canyon University (2022). Writing with Purpose. (2nd ed.)
Honkasilta, J., & Koutsoklenis, A. (2022). The (un) real existence of ADHD—Criteria, functions, and forms of the diagnostic entity. Frontiers in Sociology, 7, 814763. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2022.814763
Kazda, L., Bell, K., Thomas, R., McGeechan, K., Sims, R., & Barratt, A. (2021). Overdiagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents: a systematic scoping review. JAMA Network Open, 4(4), e215335-e215335. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.5335
Li, Y., Yan, X., Li, Q., Li, Q., Xu, G., Lu, J., & Yang, W. (2023). Prevalence and trends in diagnosed ADHD among US children and adolescents, 2017-2022. JAMA Network Open, 6(10), e2336872-e2336872. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.36872
Nanda, A., Janga, L. S. N., Sambe, H. G., Yasir, M., Man, R. K., Gogikar, A., & Mohammed, L. (2023). Adverse Effects of Stimulant Interventions for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A Comprehensive Systematic Review. Cureus, 15(9).
Newcorn, J. H., Krone, B., Coghill, D., & Halperin, J. M. (2023). Neurodevelopmental disorders: attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Tasman’s Psychiatry, 1-40. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-42825-9_64-1