Premium
The diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in community mental health centers: Where and when
Author(s) -
Cotuono Albert J.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
psychology in the schools
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.738
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1520-6807
pISSN - 0033-3085
DOI - 10.1002/1520-6807(199310)30:4<338::aid-pits2310300408>3.0.co;2-s
Subject(s) - psychology , attention deficit hyperactivity disorder , psychiatry , medical diagnosis , clinical psychology , anxiety , mental health , cognition , mood , attention deficit , mood disorders , medicine , pathology
The high degree of coexistence of attentional disorders, such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), with a number of other disorders continues to pose diagnostic problems and to highlight a continuing need to differentiate better between overlapping diagnoses. The purpose of this study was to assess the extent to which this type of diagnostic confusion continues to exist in referrals for assessment of ADHD to community mental health centers. Using referrals to a specialized ADHD Clinic of our center, 92 children with a previous diagnosis of ADHD were provided comprehensive evaluations, addressing cognitive, intellectual, personality, academic, social, behavioral, developmental, and medical concerns. After comprehensive evaluation and careful review of the results, only 22% of our sample were given a primary diagnosis of ADHD and only 37% a secondary diagnosis of ADHD. Substantial numbers of children were diagnosed instead with primary anxiety and mood disorders. Reasons for this discrepancy are discussed.