What is the Reality of Inattentive ADHD Symptoms and Diagnosing ADHD?

ByPrimary Researcher

Executive Summary

  • Inattentive ADHD diagnoses continue to rise.
  • What tends to be undiscussed regarding the medical establishment of ADHD and Inattentive ADHD symptoms?

Introduction

If you search for the term inattentive ADHD symptoms, in most cases, you will be taken by Google to some of the biggest medical information websites. The problem is that all of these websites have undisclosed financial conflicts with pharmaceuticals that make ADHD medications. Reading these websites will promote the idea of inattentive ADHD symptoms, and following their advice will, in many cases, result in being prescribed ADHD medications.

We have no financial conflicts or other connections to drug companies or medical establishments. We will use our independence to review some of the information from these websites.

What is Inattentive ADHD?

Inattentive ADHD is the opposite of the better-known hyperactive/impulsive ADHD. This is the more common diagnosis for women versus men, as the proposal is that ADHD presents itself as more aggressive in men than in women. The general social term used for women that may fall into this category is “spacey.”

Article Example #1: From Additude Magazine

The following quotes are from Additude.com.

False Claim #1: Researchers Have a Good Idea That a Gene Controls ADHD?

ADHD is a brain-based, biological disorder that, according to research, is likely genetic. Researchers suspect that a gene involved in the creation of dopamine, a chemical that controls the brain’s ability to maintain regular and consistent attention, may be traced back to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD). In other words, it is not caused by bad parenting, too much sugar, or too many video games.

Notice how this paragraph is written. Everything is related to “suspecting.”

This paragraph is written this way because there is no proof this is true. However, why are people being placed on drugs which claim to address the biological issue if it is only suspected?

The information on the growth in ADHD is better for children than for adults, so let us review the growth for children in the US.

Look at the growth in ADHD diagnosis and drug treatment in less than 20 years. If ADHD is being diagnosed broadly, why hasn’t research determined the reason for ADHD?  Inattentive ADHD diagnoses are also greatly increased in the past 20 years. 

False Claim #2: ADHD is a Proven Neurological Condition?

ADHD is a neurological condition defined by a consistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactive impulsivity that interferes with daily functioning in at least two settings – for example, at school and at home.

This is also not true.

Psychiatrists would like this to be true — however, the medical establishment has not been able to point to the neurological condition.

False Claim #3: ADHD Diagnoses and Determining ADHD Symptoms is a Complicated Process?

Pursuing an ADHD diagnosis can be a complicated process. ADHD is a nuanced neurological condition with three distinct subtypes — inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive, and combined type — and there is no one test that determines whether ADHD is present in an adult or a child. A professional diagnosis usually follows symptom tests and interviews, a thorough medical history, and evaluations for conditions commonly diagnosed alongside ADD – including oppositional defiant disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety, mood disorder, and autism spectrum disorder.

This is not true.

Children, often at the direction of teachers, can be placed on ADHD medications after a 10 minute visit with a GP or psychiatrist. The more ADHD prescriptions the MD writes the more money they make.

Article Example #2: From The CDC

The following quotes are from the website of the CDC.

False Claim #4: ADHD Symptoms are Properly Diagnosed Due to Following the DSM?

Healthcare providers use the guidelines in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth edition (DSM-5), to help diagnose ADHD. This diagnostic standard helps ensure that people are appropriately diagnosed and treated for ADHD.

Using the same standard across communities can also help determine how many children have ADHD, and how public health is impacted by this condition.

This is the first third of the ADHD checklist.

The entire process of diagnosis is not scientific.