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http://www.abc.net.au/news/scitech/2002/09/item20020902162046_1.htm

Wed, Sep 4 2002 7:30 AM AEST

Study questions ADHD diagnoses

A new study has raised concerns about the misdiagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and the drugs used to treat the condition.

The report's author, clinical psychologist Bob Jacobs, says about 50,000 Australian children are now taking stimulants for ADHD, and a similar number are believed to have been diagnosed with the illness.

Dr Jacobs says there is no medical test for ADHD, and he believes many of the reported cases are behavioural problems.

"Many of them have very significant behavioural problems," he said.

"There's no question that many children are very challenging behaviourally both for their parents and their teachers.

"I think it's like that now, it's always been like that.

"It's not minimising that these children present difficult behaviour, it's just what makes us decide that they have a disease without any evidence."

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