Systemic factors drive ADHD diagnosis surge as GPs expand prescribing roles
Original framing: “How to safeguard against overdiagnosis when more GPs treat ADHD” — The Conversation - Global
ADHD has evolved from a narrow concept of hyperactivity in the 1960s to a broad diagnostic category today, influenced by shifting cultural norms and pharmaceutical interests. Historical parallels include the medicalization of other conditions, such as autism and depression, where diagnostic expansion has often followed increased pharmaceutical marketing.
The surge in ADHD prescriptions is not merely a medical issue but a systemic one, shaped by pharmaceutical influence, diagnostic inflation, and a lack of culturally responsive care.
By integrating Indigenous knowledge, historical awareness, and cross-cultural perspectives, we can develop more holistic and equitable mental health systems. Future models must prioritize transparency, education, and community-based alternatives to medication. This requires not only regulatory reform but also a cultural shift in how we understand and support neurodiversity.