In an article appearing in the Sept/Oct issue of Psychology Today, Willow Lawson writes that there is a concern that the 4 - 8% of adults that were never diagnosed with ADHD are "flocking" to doctors hoping a pill can cure them. He goes on to state that symptoms of ADHD are fuzzy compared to depression, and the diagnosis relies in a doctor's subjective interpretation.  Lawson also believes that an ADHD diagnosis is linked to socioeconomic status, and serves as a boutique diagnosis for middle-classed people.  In contrast to Lawsons beliefs, Thomas Brown, Associate Director of the Yale Clinic for Attention and Related Disorders in Connecticut, and professor of psychiatry, feels it would be "wrong" to withhold medication for someone struggling with the disorder.  He tells a story of a college student, who had high SAT scores, but at the end of the first semester of college had a GPA of 1.37, due to lack of organization and focus.  Testing positive for ADHD, the student was placed on a stimulant and his GPA shot up to 3.74 at the end of the 2nd semester.

Dr. Bergen's Reply:

I don't see people hoping to be diagnosed or treated for ADD/ADHD. Typically I see people in my office who although intelligent are having great difficulty struggling with the demands of careers, home, and relationships. There are a number of clear-cut symptoms that will alert a trained clinician to rule out ADD, and these are as objective as a depression screening. And contrary to the theme of Lawson's article, often I see dismay and regret from adults who weren't diagnosed during childhood, related to the struggles and lost opportunities, failed relationships, and/or substance abuse. A fair number of adults resist the label of ADD for a period of weeks or months, and others look at alternatives to medication such as bio-feedback training, organizational tips, or herbal remedies.

I utilize tests in my office which accurately pinpoint the diagnosis of ADD/ADHD, as well as screening for depression and a variety of other disorders. If you would like to be screened/tested, please contact my office.