Is ADHD/ADD Overdiagnosed in America?

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In a letter to me of June 14, 2002, President of the Medical Board of California, Bernard Alpert, MD, wrote: “Dear Dr. Baughman, Thank you for your letter dated May 28, 2002 to Senator Liz Figueroa, relating to the mental health profession’s representation of emotional and psychological conditions as diseases of the brain…I share your concerns about the lay public’s ability to correctly process and understand the prolific media campaigns that target them for the sale of drugs and services. In my opinion it is unfortunate that such advertising is allowed, and that it often serves to mislead consumers rather than educate them…there is tremendous professional support for categorizing emotional and psychological conditions as diseases of the brain. In published materials, some quoted in your letter, you will find that support from chairs of psychiatric departments, the American Psychiatric Association and professors of major medical schools. It is clear that the psychiatric community has set their standard, and while one might disagree with it, that standard becomes the legal standard upon which the Board must base its actions. It is, therefore, the community that must change their opinion and practice for it to become the legal standard. Sincerely, Bernard Alpert, MD, Medical Board of California.”

One can see here that lies have become the legal standard of practice of the psychiatric profession and of all physicians and other professionals who practice mental health. Under the circumstances, to state the truth and scientific facts of the matter would constitute medical malpractice putting a critic, such as myself, in legal jeopardy.

All studies in the medical-scientific literature that have considered ADHD to be a disease or disorder and that have conveyed this belief to participating researchers, subjects and their families are invalid, should be acknowledged as such, and should be withdrawn. Pam issued such a challenge in 1990 when he wrote: “…any studies that do not meet standards for proper research procedures or interpretation of data must not be accepted for publication, or if already published must be discredited within the professional literature” [5].