Introduction
The tendency considered in this paper is a positive effect associated with improved diagnosis and raised awareness of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The trend in the modern world is an increase in the number of ADHD diagnoses: between 2016 and 2019, 6 million cases of ADHD were diagnosed, compared to 4.4 million cases in 2003 (CDC, 2021). In recent years, almost 10% of children have been diagnosed with ADHD, making this syndrome one of the most common neurological disorders detected in childhood (CDC, 2021). The trend towards more diagnoses of ADHD, associated with improved diagnostic methods and raised awareness of this syndrome in the medical community, is positive, as more people can receive appropriate corrective therapy.
Even though ADHD is a common problem, the diagnosis of this syndrome has not always been at a high level. Modern parents may wonder why this syndrome was not detected in children earlier. ADHD was not previously diagnosed because it had other names and was classified according to similar symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD were first described in the 19th century by Dr. Heinrich Hoffmann (Greydanus et al., 2021).
Almost a century later, doctors and scientists first suggested that ADHD was a form of neurological disorder (Greydanus et al., 2021). The modern diagnosis was developed in the 1990s when it was first called attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (London & Landes, 2021). The increase in the number of ADHD diagnoses is a consequence of the establishment of a clear definition of the term and increased awareness in the medical community (Wolraich et al., 2019). When clinicians learned about the possibility of compiling a set of symptoms into a single diagnosis, there was an inevitable increase in the cases of its correct statement.
Historical Misunderstandings and Improved Diagnostic Tools
The tendency for ADHD not to be singled out as a separate disease for a long time is associated with the similarity of symptoms with other neurological disorders. A similar medical history can be seen in bipolar disorder. Even though the symptoms of the disease were noticed and described at the dawn of civilization, bipolar disorder was classified only in the 1990s (Duffy et al., 2020). Up to this point, bipolar disorder has been characterized as either depressive or manic, with no relationship to the phase difference. A similar story happened with ADHD, which has long been viewed as a disorder of concentration, restlessness, or brain limitations (Carr-Fanning, 2020).
The explanation for this phenomenon is the similarity of the symptom with the usual course of childhood development. Children tend to have trouble concentrating and usually act hyperactive. However, children with ADHD do not outgrow these features; they can persist into adulthood and make everyday life difficult. This makes it challenging to diagnose ADHD, as often the symptoms become clear only when the child does not outgrow the difficulties with concentration and attention.
Another reason for the increase in the incidence of ADHD is improved diagnostic methods. No single medical or genetic test for this syndrome exists, but a comprehensive diagnosis based on testing and examination is available. Diagnostic criteria vary depending on the age of the patient. Symptoms of inattention include frequent mistakes, inability to concentrate, distracted hearing, and frequent loss of things (Marshall et al., 2021). Hyperactivity is diagnosed in restlessness, loudness, and expressiveness of speech, anxiety, and impatience (Marshall et al., 2021). Current recommendations for diagnosing ADHD include comprehensive and environmental anamnesis (Wolraich et al., 2019).
Scales began in the 1960s, but now the focus is on behavioral criteria for ADHD, which is a more accurate diagnostic method (Wolraich et al., 2019). Symptoms are assessed using checklists, and similar symptoms caused by other diseases and mental disorders are excluded. The development of clear diagnostic criteria contributes to the separation of ADHD from several other physical and mental disorders and is a reason for the increased number of diagnoses.
Implications for the Medical Field and Future Research
The trend towards an increase in the number of cases of ADHD has a positive value for the study of the syndrome and the patients diagnosed with it. For the general history of medicine, the syndrome was classified relatively recently. Treatment and diagnostic criteria guidelines have been developed recently and are still being finalized.
Increased awareness leads to an improved understanding of the specifics of the disorder and, correspondingly, better treatment. By being comprehensively diagnosed, people can be sure of the correct diagnosis. When the diagnosis is correctly determined, the treatment will be effective and beneficial to the patient.
The ongoing study of ADHD in the future will lead to a clear understanding of the causes of the disorder, which is currently vague (Asherson & AgnewâBlais, 2019). The study of ADHD will help recognize the disorder in the early stages and make life easier for children and adults. Further research on ADHD will probably help teach people how to manage its symptoms before adulthood.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the upward trend in ADHD cases is positive for the medical community and patients. The trend occurred due to improved diagnostic methods and increased awareness of the problem. With a rise in cases, the trend has received increasing attention, leading to improved diagnostic criteria and a deeper understanding of the syndrome’s causes. Further study of ADHD will have a positive impact on the patients diagnosed with it. The trend will lead to better diagnoses and more people getting the proper treatment.
References
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