Which of the following is NOT a reason that ADHD may be overdiagnosed?

• A. Strict and narrowly defined diagnostic guidelines that exclude most cases
• B. Broad diagnostic criteria that can overlap with normal childhood behavior
• C. Increased awareness among parents and teachers leading to more referrals
• D. Misinterpretation of symptoms due to cultural or educational differences

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of overdiagnosis in ADHD, which refers to diagnosing the disorder more frequently than it actually occurs in the population.
2. Review each option carefully to determine whether it would logically contribute to overdiagnosis:
3. Consider that broad diagnostic criteria can lead to overdiagnosis because they may include behaviors that are typical in many children, thus increasing the number of diagnosed cases.
4. Recognize that increased awareness among parents and teachers can lead to more referrals and potentially more diagnoses, contributing to overdiagnosis.
5. Evaluate the option about strict and narrowly defined diagnostic guidelines, which would actually reduce the number of diagnoses by excluding many cases, so this is NOT a reason for overdiagnosis.