Overdiagnosis and Overprescribing of ADHD America currently has an overprescribing problem, affecting all age groups and socioeconomic backgrounds. In young children, the diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD, has rapidly increased. Because we live in a world where so many people need quick results, normal childhood behaviors are now being mistaken for ADHD and other disorders. In this article I will demonstrate that ADHD is overdiagnosed and overprescribed, especially in lower socioeconomic groups. Having children over-treated is unhealthy and this trend must be stopped. ADHD is one of the most common childhood disorders, yet it is severely misunderstood. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) begins in early childhood (average age of onset is 7 years old) and can continue through adolescence and adulthood. Symptoms include difficulty staying focused and paying attention, difficulty controlling behavior, and hyperactivity. Scientists are still not sure what causes ADHD, although some suggest that genes play a dominant role. It most likely results from a combination of factors such as environmental factors, brain injury, nutrition, and social environment. According to the NIMH, some children with ADHD have thinner brain tissue in areas of the brain associated with attention; however, as they grow, the tissue takes on a normal level of thickness. Environmental factors such as having a mom who used cigarettes and alcohol during pregnancy and children exposed to high levels of lead are more prone to developing ADHD. British scientists have linked increased consumption of addictive foods, such as preservatives, to a... middle of paper... psychologist who could be giving kids guidance on how to concentrate. Unfortunately treatments like this are very expensive and most medical insurance plans do not include the therapy. Medication is also the fastest way for parents to see results in their wayward children. Ever since the FDA allowed companies to advertise directly to consumers, we have seen an increase in ADHD rates as parents saw the advertising, took their child, and came back with very strong drugs. To combat the problem of overprescribing, parents must make a consistent effort to be their children's strongest advocates. Parents need to be well informed about this topic and decide whether or not it is worth taking medications. They must be able to properly care for their child with alternative methods before resorting to medications that many doctors say should be the last straw.