BMJ 2013;347:f7028 doi: 10.1136/bmj.f7028 (Published 27 November 2013)

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Letters

LETTERS ATTENTION-DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER

ADHD is a social problem Julian Tudor Hart retired GP and research fellow Swansea Medical School, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK

I wonder how many people realise that the diagnostic label attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) validates entitlement to benefits for many families at highest risk of this disorder, regardless of its questionable status as a disease, a product of an increasingly dysfunctional society, or whatever else we may choose?1 And that prescription of methylphenidate validates this diagnosis—both for parents and for those who grant or disallow benefits? For families in areas of post-industrial dereliction, life is hard enough already, and I have no wish to add to their troubles. However, it is in nobody’s long term interest to ignore this

powerful incentive to categorise the consequences of terminal capitalism as disease, rather than a social problem requiring social solutions. Competing interests: None declared. 1

Thomas R, Mitchell GK, Batstra L. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: are we helping or harming? BMJ 2013;347:f6172. (5 November.)

Cite this as: BMJ 2013;347:f7028 © BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 2013

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