Dictating the boundaries of ab/normality: a critical discourse analysis of the diagnostic criteria for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and hyperkinetic disorder

Freedman, Justin E.; Honkasilta, Juho

doi:10.1080/09687599.2017.1296819

Cited by 22 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…This study also addressed the question in the disability research about "how we might reconsider the behaviours associated with ADHD so that they are seen as valuable and worthy of conservation?" (Freedman and Honkasilta 2017;p. 582).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The positive aspects of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a qualitative investigation of successful adults with ADHD

Sedgwick

Merwood

Asherson

2018

ADHD Atten Def Hyp Disord

135

116

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The behavioural characteristics of ADHD do not exist in binary form (i.e. normal vs. abnormal); instead, they exist on a spectrum or continuum. This implies that some aspects of ADHD can be adaptive rather than impairing, or some adults may possess certain strengths or attributes that mediate and/or compensate for their ADHD-related deficits or impairments. More research is needed to clarify these observations. To explore and describe positive aspects of ADHD from the perspective of successful adults with ADHD. A phenomenological approach with open-ended interviews was used to collect data. The interviews were audio taped, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic content analysis. Six core themes (cognitive dynamism, courage, energy, humanity, resilience and transcendence) defined by 19 sub-themes were found. These themes were compared against attributes catalogued in the character strengths and virtues (CSV) handbook and classification for positive psychology. Two core themes (cognitive dynamism and energy) were not listed as virtues in the CSV, and neither were six sub-themes (divergent thinking, hyper-focus, nonconformist, adventurousness, self-acceptance and sublimation) listed as behavioural traits. We propose these constructs as positive aspects specific to ADHD, and the other constructs, as positive aspects relevant to people in general, with or without ADHD. This study offers insights into positive human qualities, attributes or aspects of ADHD that can support and sustain high functioning and flourishing in ADHD life. This study also addresses the question in the disability research about "how we might reconsider the behaviours associated with ADHD so that they are seen as valuable and worthy of conservation?".

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The positive aspects of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a qualitative investigation of successful adults with ADHD

Sedgwick

Merwood

Asherson

2018

ADHD Atten Def Hyp Disord

135

116

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…We have seen in this article how the controversies around ADHD go beyond the medical system and encompass the public sphere and even popular culture, and involve professionals, parents, self-advocates, and social networks. Despite uncertainty about the etiology and the lack of convincing and well-replicated biomarkers with diagnostic or clinical utility (Visser and Jehan, 2009 ; Freedman and Honkasilta, 2017 ), ADHD is depicted by biomedical discourses as a neurobiological disorder, a brain disease. Furthermore, and in spite of the existence of GMH strategies for ADHD, there is no consensus regarding treatments and best forms of care.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Global Mental Health and Pharmacology: The Case of Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders in Brazil

Ortega

Müller

2020

Front. Sociol.

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Global Mental Health (GMH) is the field of study, research, and intervention, which aims at improving access to mental health worldwide. It is based on the global burden of disease research program and on the existence of a large “treatment gap” between the need and availability of mental health services, displaying individual and social costs of undiagnosed and untreated mental disorders, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Few academic publications in Brazil dialogue directly with the field of GMH, although several issues drawn from its agenda have been the subject of mental health policies in the country. Brazil can be classified as a middle-income country with a well-structured national health system. This system is oriented toward primary health care, which integrates both community mental health services and the broader health care network. The debate between GMH advocates and critics has unearthed old controversies in psychiatry such as universality or cultural specificity of mental disorders, their expressions, and their relationship with social and economic factors. We intend to examine how these controversies reverberate in the Brazilian mental health scenario, taking as an illustration the debates around Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in the country. ADHD discussions oppose those who argue that the condition is underdiagnosed and undertreated, and those who claim that there is overdiagnosis and overtreatment and thus, medicalization of childhood. This article presents the current status of the Brazilian mental health literature on ADHD, with emphasis on tensions around diagnosis, prevalence and interventions. Our aim is to highlight how the differential in discourse shapes the debate on ADHD in Brazil and how this may contribute to the GMH agenda. This goal will be undertaken in three steps. First, we will briefly examine studies around GMH and ADHD. Secondly, we address Brazilian studies on this theme, considering the specificities regarding the constitution of the mental health field. Finally, we will examine the debate of treatment gap vs. medicalization in the country in order to underscore the potentials and limitations of each perspective.

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“…Both inherited and non‐inherited factors contribute and their effects are interdependent’ (Thapar et al , , p. 3). Despite this and despite the clear cultural underpinnings of what are perceived as (ab)normal behaviours (Freedman and Honkasilta, ; Kriegler, ), the authors of the DSM‐5 decided to classify ADHD as a ‘neurodevelopmental disorder’.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

ADHD and Brain Anatomy: What Do Academic Textbooks Used in the Netherlands Tell Students?

Meerman¹,

Batstra²,

Freedman

et al. 2019

Children & Society

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Studies of brain size of children classified with ADHD appear to reveal smaller brains when compared to 'normal' children. Yet, what does this mean? Even with the use of rigorously screened case and control groups, these studies show only small, average group differences between children with and without an ADHD classification. However, academic textbooks used in the Netherlands often portray individual children with an ADHD classification as having a different, malfunctioning brain that necessitates medical intervention. This conceptualisation of ADHD might serve professional interests, but not necessarily the interests of children.

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Dictating the boundaries of ab/normality: a critical discourse analysis of the diagnostic criteria for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and hyperkinetic disorder

Cited by 22 publications

References 47 publications

The positive aspects of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a qualitative investigation of successful adults with ADHD

The positive aspects of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a qualitative investigation of successful adults with ADHD

Global Mental Health and Pharmacology: The Case of Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders in Brazil

ADHD and Brain Anatomy: What Do Academic Textbooks Used in the Netherlands Tell Students?

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