On the efficacy of the DSM-IV-TR, in the diagnosis of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A survey of medical practitioners' perceptions.

[摘要] There has been an increase of attention placed on the diagnosis of Attention DeficitHyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), within South Africa. This has led to a number ofcontroversies surrounding the legitimacy of ADHD diagnoses. And how effective thesystems of categorising and diagnosing disorders are in aiding a number of practitionersin formulating a disorder. There is a substantial agreement within the literature that theunderstanding of ADHD is limited, the focus is mainly on the symptoms of disorders.This study explores the perceptions practitioners in the field, in identifying theeffectiveness of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental disorders (DSM) is fordiagnosing ADHD. It became evident throughout this study that there is no consensusaround the efficacy of the DSM. Furthermore, ADHD is not completely understood andtherefore creates serious implications for the treatment and diagnosis of the disorder.

[发布机构] University of the Witwatersrand