Andrea Davis

This book should be read by all medical professionals involved in assessing for ADHD. It doesn't deny that there is a neurological condition that can be labeled as ADHD (and treated accordingly) but it cautions heavily against diagnosing it when there are many other reasons why a person may be presenting with ADHD symptoms - a different cause or source of the difficulties which in turn require very different treatment. It is too easy to get an ADHD diagnosis these days where the medical professional (at times private and unscrupulous) doesn't take the time to uncover the real truth behind a person's difficulties and therefore provide them with the right treatment to improve their life. It is not fair to those people for whom their ADHD symptoms can be explained by other causes that they are given a quick diagnosis and prescribed medication as in the long term, the underlying condition is left ignored and untreated. ADHD is being worn as a tag, a trendy label that serves as an excuse for behaviours which could be dealt with fairly easily if the right support was in place in our health system or schools. People with real ADHD are being eclipsed by this trend (look at the waiting times for help with neurological difficulties) and it's sad to observe. This is a bleak outlook but people are obsessed with quick fixes, money is tight, people are stressed and have no time and Big Pharma make shareholders happy when their drugs are sold in the millions. Let's move away from labels and diagnoses and focus on the presenting difficulties and treat them accordingly - individualised (not generic), speedy and effective treatments to make a difference in a person's life as soon as possible.