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Review
. 2015 Jul;60(7):324-8.
doi: 10.1177/070674371506000705.

Is Adult Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Being Overdiagnosed?

Joel Paris  1 , Venkat Bhat  2 , Brett Thombs  3
Affiliations
Review

Is Adult Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Being Overdiagnosed?

Joel Paris et al. Can J Psychiatry. 2015 Jul.

Abstract
in English, French

This review offers a perspective on the question as to whether attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is being overdiagnosed in adults. Considering underlying causes as well as consequences, we conclude that the diagnosis of adult ADHD should be made cautiously, making use of multiple sources of information, including self-report, clinical interviews, collateral information, childhood documentation, and neuropsychological testing. Routine screening with symptom checklists is insufficient, and stimulant response is diagnostically uninformative. The causes of overdiagnosis may include changes in diagnostic thresholds, poor diagnostic practices, and advertising by the pharmaceutical industry. Overdiagnosis leads to overtreatment, and dramatic increases in prescriptions for adult ADHD during the last decade should arouse concern.

Cet article offre une perspective sur la question de savoir si le trouble de déficit de l’attention avec hyperactivité (TDAH) est sur-diagnostiqué chez les adultes. En tenant compte des causes sous-jacentes et des conséquences, nous concluons que le diagnostic de TDAH adulte devrait être posé avec prudence, en utilisant de multiples sources d’information, dont l’auto-évaluation, les entrevues cliniques, l’information auxiliaire, la documentation de l’enfance, et les tests neuropsychologiques. Le dépistage régulier avec des listes de symptômes ne suffit pas, et la réponse aux stimulants n’éclaire pas le diagnostic. Les causes du sur-diagnostic peuvent inclure des changements des seuils diagnostiques, de mauvaises pratiques diagnostiques. et la publicité de l’industrie pharmaceutique. Le sur-diagnostic mène au sur-traitement, et les augmentations radicales des prescriptions pour le TDAH adulte dans les dix dernières années devraient sonner l’alarme.

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