O PARADOXO DO SOBREDIAGNÓSTICO DO TDAH E SUAS CONSEQUÊNCIAS

Abstract

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is defined as a psychomotor developmental disorder that is characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity and/or impulsivity. Currently, it is observed that discrete signs of psychological distress tend to be classified as pathological, initiating the early use of psychotropic drugs. In this sense, given that the increase in medicalization becomes alarming in adults, the scenario becomes even more serious in the children’s situation, in view of the child’s motor and neuropsychic immaturity. The present study aims to analyze and discuss the increase in the diagnosis of ADHD in the last decade and the consequent hypermedicalization of children. The methodology used was a literature review of a quantitative nature, through searches in PubMed, Scielo and Google Scholar, with publication date from 2010. Regarding the results, it was observed: increase in overdiagnosis and overmedicalization in around 25% of the evaluated studies; approximately 40% of the articles highlighted the importance of carrying out training projects for health professionals to make more accurate diagnoses and more effective treatments; around 25% of the articles concluded that methylphenidate, from the amphetamine group, has benefits and that it increases quality of life, even though it has side effects. Finally, it is concluded that it is necessary to analyze and propose training strategies for health professionals, in addition to implementing a more efficient multidisciplinary work together with family educators, in order to assess the real need for the diagnosis, performing it in a more efficient way. efficient and avoid unnecessary medicalization of children and adolescents who do not fit the ideal diagnostic criteria for ADHD.