ADHD Over Diagnosis?

ADHD is a complicated mental disorder that is thought to affect approximately 10% of children and 5% of the adult population.
There were over 3,000,000 prescriptions written for Ritalin last year and the numbers for stimulant and other prescription medications continue to rise as the defining boundaries are blurred.
Doctors in most cases are not at fault due to the immense pressure placed upon them by parents of children who show signs of hyperactivity and/or academic underachievement.
 It seems like almost everyone you talk to these days either has ADHD, has a child with ADHD, or knows someone with the condition.
But is ADHD over diagnosed?   The most logical answer would be yes but as is the case with most complicated mental disorders no one really knows for sure.
If you are talking about male children and teenage boys there seems to be a disproportionate number diagnosed with the condition.
If you are focusing on female children, female teens, and women the condition is probably under diagnosed.
If you are talking about grandpa he likely would be considered just grumpy.
  The primary symptoms of ADHD are inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.
In order for a positive diagnosis to be given all three symptoms do not have to present.
However, signs of inattention must always be present combined with the confirming symptom/symptoms being present in two or more situation; the most common of these being school and home in children; and work and home in adults.
  As, you can see the threshold is not that high for making a case for over diagnosis.
Let's be realistic if you are a doctor who believed with all your heart that prescription medications such as Ritalin and Adderall are a safe and effective way of treating a child's inability to excel in his/her current environment wouldn't you write the prescription, even in marginal cases? It is my thought that this is what is happening and likely explains the rapidly increasing numbers.
  In summary, the topic of ADHD over diagnosis is a complicated one that probably will not decided any time soon.
Perhaps just as controversial as the condition itself is how it is treated; due to the potential both long and short term side effects linked to ADHD prescription medications.
This debate has led many parents and adults alike to seek safer natural alternatives such as homeopathy.
Homeopathic remedies for ADHD are considered to be very safe and have been shown to be effective in addressing such common ADHD symptoms as inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.
If you have been searching for an option to prescription medications this is an area worth considering.