Higgins 1

Tanner Higgins
Jane Blake lock
English 2100
Feb 2 2015

Annotated Bibliography
Faraone, Stephen V., Joseph Sergeant, Christopher Gillberg, and Joseph
Biederman.
"The Worldwide Prevalence of ADHD: Is It an American Condition?" World
Psychiatry. Masson Italy, June 2003. Web. 02 Feb. 2015.
This article asked the question: Is ADHD/ADD an American disorder?
The focus of the research into this disorder over the past 40 years has
given many the impressions that ADHD/ADD is predominately an
American disorder rather than world-wide. Conversely, there have been
several studies that show ADHD/ADD is not purely an American disorder,
and that the abundance of ADHD/ADD is at least as high in non-US
children as it is in US children. The psychiatric care of children may be
examined different by the US and other countries. The evidence is given
by the authors which includes studies done by the American Psychiatric
Association is very detailed with an understanding of the behavioral
characteristics. Also the authors cite the World Health Organization whom
appears to stand behind the assumption that ADHD/ADD is an American
disorder and less common in other countries. This article really addresses
the facts behind America and ADHD/ADD,as well as other nations and
ADHD. The article proves and discuses that ADHD/ADD is not purely a
nationality question but may come from cultural and social aspects.
Connor, Daniel F. "Problems of Over diagnosis and Overprescribing in ADHD."
Problems of Overdiagnosis and Overprescribing in ADHD. UBM
Medica, LLC, 2015.
Web. 04 Feb. 2015.
In this article Daniel Connor talks about the over diagnosis of
Attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder and the over prescribing of drugs
used for the treatment of the mental disorder. He argues that there is
confusion and doubt, and ADHD is a socially constructed disorder and
doctors are over diagnosing ADHD. Also not every person that potentially
has the disorder needs medical intervention. The Author mentions an
epidemiological study of mental health status among children in western
North Carolina done by Angold and colleagues that say that 7.3% of
children were receiving medication and only 3.4% even met qualifications
to take medication. Connor also mentions how the diagnosis rate has

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gone up from only 1% of children having the disorder in the 1970s to over
9% in the 1990s. Very good points are made about the over diagnosis
and overprescribing of drugs. It shows good statistics that help back up its
arguments.
Lange, Klaus W., Susanne Reichl, Katharina M. Lange, Lara Tucha, and Oliver
Tucha. "The History of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder." Attention
Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders. Springer Vienna, 2009. Web. 09 Feb.
2015.
The history of ADHD is discussed in this article beginning with the
wonder of an explanation of why someone may be too hyperactive for
their age. In 1763 the first example of a disorder that appears to be
similar to ADHD is discovered and studies are starting to be made. After
that the author mentions that in 1994 the disorder is finally given the
official name Attention-Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder, along with all of the
medications and treatments like Ritalin and Adderall that come. A lot of
credible sources and information is used which includes the American
Psychiatric Association that talks about the concept of ADHD. Also the
Author mentions correct and accurate dates throughout the whole article.
Every important date is given and has descriptions that follow to help the
reader understand what is being talked about. This article simply just
gives the history and what actions were followed.
Martin, Ben. "How Is ADHD Diagnosed?" Psych Central.com. Psych Central, 2015.
Web. 11 Feb. 2015.
Ben Martin goes into detail about how ADHD is diagnosed. To begin
there are critical questions to consider before an ADHD diagnosis is made
are whether the symptoms are: excessive compared with what would be
expected, longer-term rather than in response to a recent change, and
pervasive rather than limited to one environment. After that the article
goes in depth about the diagnosis for children and then talks about the
diagnosis for adults. There is evidence that supports the diagnosis of
children from the lack of attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity and how
it can be seen when children lose interest in playing a game or watching a
TV show, or if the child runs around and seems completely out of control.
Evidence For adults is also addressed as ADHD diagnosis involves
examining the individuals past as well as their current difficulties. The
article addresses the how the disorder is diagnosed and how there are
different factors from children to adults.
Schwarz, Alan, and Sarah Cohen. "A.D.H.D. Seen in 11% of U.S. Children as
Diagnoses Rise."
The New York Times. The New York Times, 31 Mar.
2013. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.
Alan Schwarz and Sarah Cohen discuss how ADHD diagnosis in the
United States has risen over the last decade. The definition of ADHD may

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be soon changed which would allow more people to receive the diagnosis
and treatments. Doctors and experts fear that the treatments are being
shared and misused with people who do not need the treatments or
people who are not supposed to be prescribed the treatments. Dr. William
Graf, a pediatric neurologist talks about how mild symptoms are being
diagnosed so readily. Also a C.D.C study was conducted that showed that
pills are being sold and abused in the high school and college settings.
This article shows that the ability to obtain the medications may be too
easy, and the health of young people may be in jeopardy from abusing
the drugs.
Miller, Caroline. "Get Informed." Are Schools Driving ADHD Diagnoses? Child Mind
Institute, 2015.
Web. 12 Mar. 2015.

In this article Caroline Miller from the Child Mind Institute goes in detail
about how schools may be driving ADHD diagnosis. There is a big regional
disparity of ADHD diagnosis in the United States showing that there is a much
higher prevalence of the diagnosis in the Midwest. Studies have found a
correlation between the states with the highest rates of ADHD diagnosis and
laws that penalize school districts when students fail. Accountability laws may
be influencing the rising rates of kids with the disorder. Some information from
this article was taken from a C.D.C survey which measured the nation
prevalence of ADHD diagnosis. Also Stephen Hinshaw, a clinical psychologist has
been asking questions about the regional disparity for many years. This article
shows people that from the regional disparity, there is link between
accountability laws and how schools could be driving the diagnosis because of
the laws.