ADHD is a common disorder

The argument

ADHD is a common disorder that affects a large portion of the population, affecting both adults and children. Though the average age for diagnosis is seven years old, ADHD diagnosis can happen at any age. 6.1 percent of American children are currently being treated for ADHD with medication, with 1 out of 5 of these children treated with counseling as well. With such high numbers of cases, there are still a majority of people who believe that ADHD does not exist. If so many adults and children show symptoms of the disorder, how can this be? One also has to take into account the causes of ADHD. While the cause of ADHD is still unknown, several factors are proven to affect the number of people diagnosed. Males are three times more likely to have ADHD than females, and children living in poverty are more likely to develop the disorder. Other causes may be linked to brain injury, alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy, as well as premature delivery. ADHD also exists alongside other conditions. Bipolar, anxiety, depression, learning disabilities, and Tourette’s syndrome are all disorders that commonly co-exist with ADHD. To say that someone does not have the disorder, or that ADHD merely doesn’t exist, can be seen as neglectful or insensitive to others’ conditions. ADHD is becoming more commonly diagnosed and should not be stigmatized. Treatments have been proven to work, as many adults and children continue to live normal, healthy lives.

Premises

Counter-arguments

ADHD is one of the most frequently diagnosed disorders among children. According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), 5 percent of American children have ADHD. At the same time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates the number to be double that amount, with ADHD affecting 11 percent of American children. These percentages are shockingly high and appear to affect more children in the United States than any other part of the world. Why are Americans willing to give so many children an ADHD diagnosis, especially at such an early age? Research has suggested that the first symptoms of ADHD appear in ages 3 to 6. Yes, the symptoms of ADHD include the inability to focus and hyperactive behavior, but whatever happened to kids just being kids? Aren’t these normal behaviors for someone so young? ADHD is over-diagnosed, especially in the United States. Children should have more time to mentally develop before diagnosis, especially if treated with medication, which can have long term effects.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P1] The prevalence figures are not the settled fact the premise treats them as: the counter sets the American Psychiatric Association's estimate of around 5 percent of American children against the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's estimate of roughly double that, and a measure that varies by a factor of two between two authorities cannot by itself carry the weight placed on it. [Rejecting P3] High and rising diagnosis is equally consistent with over-diagnosis as with an underlying condition being detected — on the counter's account the rates are an international outlier, the first symptoms are said to appear between the ages of three and six, and inattention and high activity are ordinary in children that young, so the frequency of diagnosis does not establish that the criteria are being applied to a real disorder rather than to normal development.