Normal Boyhood Is ADHD

a year ago

Nearly a quarter of 17-year-old boys in America have an ADHD diagnosis.
Most diagnosed boys are prescribed amphetamines like Adderall or Ritalin, which help tolerate boring tasks but don't improve learning.
The perceived benefits of ADHD medications wane within a year, and after three years, there's no difference in performance compared to non-medicated peers.
ADHD symptoms are often subjective and situational, with many overlapping with typical boyhood behavior.
Long-term amphetamine use can stunt growth and lead to emotional and behavioral side effects.
The over-diagnosis of ADHD reflects a societal issue where normal boy behavior is pathologized to fit educational expectations.
Comparisons are drawn to past medical missteps like the opioid crisis and the recent surge in puberty-blocker prescriptions.
The article suggests that only about 3% of ADHD cases might genuinely benefit from medication, far fewer than current diagnosis rates.

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