Abstract
In this paper, I share insights from ongoing ethnographic fieldwork among adult Danes who identify as having Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) but do not meet the clinical standards and have yet to receive a diagnosis. These individuals are particularly relevant to the ongoing debates about under- and overdiagnosis of ADHD, as their claims to the diagnosis influence and mirror societal perceptions of what is considered normal and what is seen as a condition. Despite their symptoms not strictly meeting diagnostic criteria, thus risking overdiagnosis and associated psychiatric labeling, they perceive themselves as distinct from ‘normal’ people. Through a critical anthropological lens, I argue that medicalizing variations in human personality represents a contemporary societal epistemic error, drawing on Gregory Bateson’s work. I highlight the dynamics of diagnosis versus notions of normality in diagnosing and self-diagnosing ADHD. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for addressing concerns of overdiagnosis as well as underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis. By illuminating the complexities of diagnostic processes and their societal implications, I aim to contribute to a richer understanding of mental health discourse and practice.
Originalsprog | Engelsk |
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Artikelnummer | e215335 |
Tidsskrift | Culture, Medicine and Psychiatry |
Vol/bind | Early view |
ISSN | 0165-005X |
DOI | |
Status | Udgivet - 2025 |
Emneord
- ADHD
- Epistemic Errors
- Normality
- Overdiagnosis