Responding to the Psychiatric Diagnosis Deniers

Abstract

Another day, another book or blog post that boldly proclaims attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or some other psychiatric disorder really doesn’t “exist” and is instead a conspiracy of the pharmaceutic industry or an excuse people use to justify underachievement. To child and adolescent psychiatrists, these old accusations are pesky annoyances. But to our patients, these kinds of statements can really hurt, as they send the very clear message to them and everyone around them that there is no actual reason for their suffering and they should get themselves back on track immediately without any additional fuss. This is how stigma is generated and maintained, leading people to feel ashamed of their struggles and to avoid seeking help from anyone until the situation becomes dire.