Abstract
Key messages
Diagnoses of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents have increased globally over the past 30 years
Diagnosing ADHD in children is assumed to result in better long term outcomes for them, but this is not well supported by evidence
Potential benefits of an ADHD diagnosis for access to interventions are often overemphasised in research and guideline development, whereas potential harms are generally overlooked
Providing symptom appropriate care and support for children with inattentive/hyperactive behaviours, regardless of diagnosis, might improve access to beneficial interventions while limiting harms from the diagnostic label
Robust studies on who is most likely to benefit, or be harmed, by an ADHD diagnosis are needed
Diagnoses of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents have increased globally over the past 30 years
Diagnosing ADHD in children is assumed to result in better long term outcomes for them, but this is not well supported by evidence
Potential benefits of an ADHD diagnosis for access to interventions are often overemphasised in research and guideline development, whereas potential harms are generally overlooked
Providing symptom appropriate care and support for children with inattentive/hyperactive behaviours, regardless of diagnosis, might improve access to beneficial interventions while limiting harms from the diagnostic label
Robust studies on who is most likely to benefit, or be harmed, by an ADHD diagnosis are needed
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | e073448 |
| Pages (from-to) | 1-5 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | BMJ (Clinical research ed.) |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 8 Feb 2024 |