Is ADHD Overdiagnosed in Scandinavia?

Abstract

Comments on an article by B. V. Kjelsen et al. (see record 2012-18246-008). Kjeldsen et al. brought to our attention a sharp increase in the rate of diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Scandinavia over the last decade that includes both pediatric and adult ADHD. Kjelsen et al. postulated that several factors might account for this rise, including increased awareness of ADHD as a clinical entity, the availability in Scandinavia of effective treatments to treat this disorder and increased attention in the local health care system, in the population, and in the media for ADHD as a prevalent, morbid and treatable disorder. Kjelsen et al. also suggested that other factors may also be operant, including intensified activity in the pharmaceutical industry to increase attention to this disorder and the possibilities of medication treatments, as well as lobbying from patient organizations and professional groups. Kjeldsen et al. argued that the sharp rise in the diagnosis of pediatric and adult ADHD in Scandinavia raises the question as to whether ADHD as currently defined its in ICD-10 and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM )IV-TR represents a disease which can be identified and diagnosed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved).