ADHD: Medicalisation of many people’s ‘normal’ or real condition?

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Mental health

ADHD: Medicalisation of many people’s ‘normal’ or real condition?

March 2025

David Codyre

Wednesday 26 February 2025, 12:25 AM

Diagnosing and managing ADHD can be challenging but highly satisfying [Image: Tara Winstead on Pexels 2]

In anticipation of GPs being able to initiate stimulant treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, psychiatrist David Codyre looks at the minimum assessment required for diagnosis

Key points, There is persisting debate about whether ADHD is a real condition and about use of stimulant medication if a diagnosis is made. The characteristics , Pract Green w Pale Yellow

Investigations

References

1. Song P, Zha M, Yang Q, et al. The prevalence of adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A global systematic review and meta-analysis. J Glob Health 2021;11:04009.

2. Larsen R. ‘A risk of over-diagnosing ADHD’, leading NZ psychiatrist warns. RNZ, 20 November 2024.

3. Pharmac. Pharmac funds new medicine and removes renewal criteria for ADHD and narcolepsy treatments. 11 November 2024.

4. Pharmac. Proposal to change the regulatory and funding restrictions for stimulant treatments for ADHD. 17 December 2024.

How to Treat

+How to treat

Many people travel to high-altitude destinations, meaning clinicians are often faced with questions about how to prevent and treat altitude illness. Update your knowledge with this New Zealand Society of Travel Medicine summary of updated evidence-based guidelines with comments by senior lecturer Jenny Visser – it outlines the best prophylactic regimens, diagnostic approaches and treatment protocols for acute altitude illness

Wednesday 26 February 2025, 12:45 AM