I know that a couple of my recent postings have been political in nature, but sometimes I feel like I am still fightly a public opinion battle when it comes to having ADHD. Recently, I found an article on a crusade against mandatory mental health (read that as ADHD) screening in schools which, by the way, I am against. But the arguments used by the crusaders are NOT criticising mandatory testing, they are DEMONIZING the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD.
Below is a link o a document I found the Education Action web site concerning a crusade, lead by Dr. Karen Effrem, against mandatory diagnosis and treatment of Children for “Mental Disorders”, meaning ADHD. The problems is that the arguments she uses against mandatory testing seems to demonize the entire process of diagnosis and treatment of ADHD, which could lead to a backlash against those with the disorder.
First let me say that I am not sure the idea that mandatory screening of children is a good idea. There is a tendency in the medical and community over diagnose conditions that rely on subjective analysis. However, the seven items listed as known facts in Ed Action’s argument are not facts but also subjective statements. While these points of argument help to sway the public away from mandatory screening, they also perpeturate the common belief that mental illness and its treatment is voodoo science and therefore something to be feared.
The damage they are doing with their arguments is, in my opinion, far more damaging than the possible over-prescription of medications to children. The reality of mental illness is that it leads to abuse, and neglect to the very children they are trying to protect.
The arguments demonize our disorders through innuendo that are merely the fodder for their political position. It will damage us all and lead to far greater problems then over medication.. Dr. Karen Effrem’s crusade may be helping prevent mandatory screening, but her arguments are being used by well meaning do-gooders, such as Tom Cruise, to demonize the treatment of all mental disorders including ADHD and chronic depression.
There is no way to prove or disprove any of ther seven arguments, provided below, at this time because the definition of over-diagnosed and over-prescribed is purely subjective. As we know, recent findings of both neurological and genetic evidence of disorders such as ADHD are on the verge of countering their arguments.on subjective diagnosis.
In my opinion, the real issue here is that the medical community, lead by Dr. Effrem, is attacking itself, both on its practices and ethics. Once you get through all of her political rhetoric, Dr. Effrem is say that the medical community cannot be trusted, period and therefore, mandatory diagnosis and treatment is a bad idea. There may be some truth this. Many of us have heard rumors of unethical physicians that prescribe unneeded medications for compensation by the pharmiceudical industry. But rather that raise the issue that her peers may include a a significant number of liars and cheats who can’t be trusted, she chooses to demonize the very people she is sworn to help, i.e. patients with crippling mental disorders such as ADHD. I somehow feel like there is a hidden anti ADHD agenda in there somewhere.
I believe we, as an organization, must voice our opinions on Dr. Efferim’s crusade and the specific arguments she makes against mandatory diagnosis. Otherwise, public opinion might sway against ADHD as a valid disorder and send us back to the time when we thought of as lazy and impulsive losers.
Here is the link to the article: