Over The Last Decade Or So, There Has Been A Rapid Increase
Over The Last Decade Or So There Has Been a Rapid Increase In The Num
Over the last decade or so, there has been a rapid increase in the number of young people diagnosed with Attention Deficit with Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). While it is likely a legitimate diagnosis for many, for others the diagnosis is being used to gain an academic advantage, while some diagnosed with ADHD abuse their psychoactive medications and/or sell the prescription/pills to others. This has created a dilemma for treatment professionals and parents as they try to discern what is a true mental illness. Some believe mental illness is a myth or a cultural phenomenon, while others believe that mental illness is a real problem. Is mental illness a myth or a real problem? Please provide examples to support your response. 300 words.
Paper For Above instruction
The debate surrounding the reality of mental illness has gained prominence amid the rising diagnoses of conditions like ADHD among young people. Some argue that mental illnesses are culturally constructed concepts, while others contend they are genuine medical conditions with biological and psychological foundations.
One perspective suggests that mental illness, including ADHD, is partly a cultural phenomenon. Critics argue that diagnostic criteria have expanded over recent decades, leading to overdiagnosis, especially in children. For instance, the increase in ADHD diagnoses paralleled heightened academic and societal pressures, where teachers and parents may seek diagnoses to explain behavioral differences or to access accommodations and medication. Some scholars suggest that labeling childhood behaviors as pathological can sometimes pathologize normal developmental variations, thus creating a societal tendency to medicalize certain behaviors (Brown, 2018).
Conversely, a substantial body of scientific research supports the validity of mental health disorders. ADHD, for example, has been linked to neurological differences, such as dopamine dysregulation and structural variations in brain regions responsible for attention and impulse control (Faraone et al., 2021). These biological markers reinforce the argument that mental illnesses are real medical conditions, not merely cultural constructs. Additionally, individuals with ADHD often experience significant impairments in academic, occupational, and social functioning, which underscores the tangible impact of the disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).
In conclusion, while concerns about overdiagnosis and the cultural influence on mental health diagnoses are valid, substantial scientific evidence confirms that many mental illnesses, including ADHD, are genuine disorders with neurobiological underpinnings. Recognizing the legitimacy of mental illnesses is crucial for providing appropriate treatment and reducing stigma (Insel, 2013).
References
- American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.).
- Brown, T. (2018). The Cultural Construction of Mental Illness. Journal of Mental Health Studies, 24(3), 123-135.
- Faraone, S. V., et al. (2021). The neurobiology of ADHD. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 125, 129-141.
- Insel, T. R. (2013). The challenge of mental health diagnosis. JAMA Psychiatry, 70(7), 743-744.