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Wider ADHD definition risks unnecessary medication, say experts

Thursday, November 7th, 2013
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/05/us-adhd-overdiagnosis-idUSBRE9A41BD20131105 Less restrictive diagnostic criteria and a broader definition of ADHD "devalues the diagnosis in those with serious problems" and leads to overdiagnosis, said Rae Thomas, a senior researcher at Australia's Bond University who led an analysis of the problem and has published it in the British Medical Journal."The broadening of the diagnostic criteria is likely to increase what is already a significant concern about overdiagnosis," he said. "It risks resulting in a diagnosis of ADHD being regarded with skepticism, to the harm of those with severe problems who unquestionably need sensitive, skilled specialist help and support." According to Dr Levinson, a longtime critic of prior over-restrictive ADHD diagnostics, "Some researchers and clinicians are beginning to realize the obvious : ADHD, dyslexia, diabetes, hypertension.... occur in all severities. And the vast majority have milder forms. There is no risk of better understanding and treating all with a disorder, not just the severe forms. The greater risk was excluding a majority with milder ADHD and other related disorders from treatment, often then mistakenly attributing their milder symptoms to just laziness, immaturity or psychological causes."

About Harold Levinson, M.D.

Formerly Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at New York University Medical Center, Dr. Harold Levinson is currently Director of the Levinson Medical Center for Learning Disabilities in Great Neck, New York. He is a well known neuropsychiatrist, clinical researcher and author. His "highly original" research into the cerebellar-vestibular (inner-ear) origins and treatment of dyslexia and related learning, attention-deficit/hyperactivity and anxiety or phobic disorders has evolved over the past four decades. Levinson's concepts encompass the collective insights derived from the examinations, follow-up and successful treatment of over 35,000 children, adults and even seniors and have led to new methods of screening, diagnosis, treatment and prevention. His expanded theories appear capable of encompassing and/or explaining all reported symptoms as well as most other concepts and experimental data, thus resulting in a truly holistic perspective.

For more information, call 1(800) 334-7323 or visit www.dyslexiaonline.com