Is Hyperactivity Disorder a Real Disorder - Assignment Example

1. What are at least two facts presented by each side of the critical issue?
Two facts presented by the ‘pro’ side of the argument are:
a. Children with ADHA show 3-4% lesser brain matter in the frontal lobes, the temporal grey matter, caudate nucleus, and cerebellum.
b. Children diagnosed with ADHD who received a combination of medication and behavior treatment show more improvements as compared to other treatment groups.
Two facts presented by the ‘con’ side of the argument are:
a. Hyperactivity and inattention are often associated with stress, fatigue, and emotional distress in young children.
b. The hyperactivity and inattention seen in children with neurological issues are quite different from those with emotional problems.
2. What are at least two opinions presented by each side of the critical issue?
Two opinions presented by the ‘pro’ side of the argument are:
a. A diagnosis of ADHD is made only when the symptoms are grossly age-inappropriate, observed in different settings, and are based on detailed history.
b. Evidence of neurobiological differences between children with and without ADHD, and the lack of these differences upon medication is indicative of the existence of ADHD and of the possibility of treating it.
Two opinions presented by the ‘con’ side of the argument are:
a. ADHD has become a fad diagnosis and many children with different issues are treated as suffering from the same basic condition.
b. Given the number of children who benefit from alternative treatment, there seems to be significant over-diagnosis and overtreatment for ADHD.
3. What are some of the strengths associated with the Pro side of the issue? What are some of the weaknesses?
The argument for considering ADHD a valid disorder is based on empirical evidence from biological, genetic, and medical literature. The argument stresses the necessity of a complete evaluation before diagnosing ADHD and recommends the ruling out of a number of other factors. The argument also offers evidence for the efficacy of the treatment models that focus on both the medical and behavioral needs of the child.
The argument suffers as it does not focus on the side effects of the treatment alternatives; and also does not justify the high percentage of ADHD diagnoses.
4. What are some of the strengths associated with the Con side of the issue? What are some of the weaknesses?
The researcher arguing against ADHD discusses the effects of overmedication and describes different conditions that may give rise to similar symptoms and describes the ways to tell them apart. He emphasizes the importance of expertise in the diagnosis of disorders in children, particularly when a number of different conditions can present seemingly similar symptoms. These claims are supported by case examples. These points add to the strength of the study.
The major weakness of this argument is that the researcher is unable to provide evidence that ADHD does not exist, but only that it may be overdiagnosed.
5. How credible were the authors of each argument? Explain your answer.
The points put forth by the author arguing against ADHD are also strong and provide insight into the factors that need to be understood and considered when evaluating symptoms like hyperactivity and inattention. While the argument forwarded is individually credible, they do not succeed in rejecting the notion of ADHD.
6. Based on the statements presented in this critical issue, which author do you agree with? Why?
Given that the author against ADHD cannot deny the existence of the disorder, I agree with the authors for the diagnosis of ADHD as a valid disorder. At this point, I also believe that it is important to emphasize that the authors pro the argument discuss a detailed and careful process that precedes such a diagnosis, and that without due caution, it is likely that there is some over-diagnosis and overtreatment of ADHD given the similarity of the symptoms with other problems.
7. Which side of this critical issue does contemporary research support? Please provide specific examples in your response.
Bush, Valera, and Seidman (2005) have found that various structures in the brain are affected to some extent in children and adults with ADHD; and that these structures differed according to symptoms. While Read More