Question

Two disorders that begin in childhood but persist into adulthood are ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Both of these disorders have seen in increase in prevalence over the past 10 years. Choose ONE of these disorders and comment about why you think the prevalence is increasing. Is it over-diagnosis? A change in diagnostic criteria? New causal models being considered? Societal trends?

Do you know anyone with either of these disorders? What have you observed or experienced in relation to either of these disorders?

What former causes of these disorders have been discredited/disproven (you might need to do a brief internet search to answer this)?

Answer 1

ADHD prevalence is increasing not particularly because of overdiagnosis but because of greater awareness about the disorder. Most of the cases were initially disregarded because the symptoms were mostly attributed to the person's personal characteristics like 'laziness', 'disobedience', 'disinterest' etc. With growing awareness about ADHD, more people are able to get diagnosed and are further able to seek the right treatment. The society is eventually becoming more open towards recognizing the various mental disorders and therefore we can see an increase in prevalence.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual is constantly being subject to change and is getting better and more detailed by each passing year, in order to provide people with a clearer and objective understanding of their symptoms.

I was diagnosed with ADHD in college and I have first-hand experience with ADHD! I personally feel that right diagnosis, correct medication, and appropriate lifestyle changes can bring about a huge amount of change. Honestly, ADHD needs to be looked like a different personality type because it is not necessarily a disorder. ADHDs are able to function and perform well and achieve as much as any other individual without ADHD.

No direct cause of the disorder that has been identified. Any disorder is a combination of heredity and environmental factors and both should be considered while understanding the causal factors.