Commonly Over-diagnosed Disorders

Sometimes a certain disorder will end up in the media spotlight, getting attention from the general press and medical journals alike. This increased awareness is good for the people suffering from this disorder, but it can have a downside for others. When a doctor is thinking and reading about a certain disorder more than others, he or she may begin seeing it in patients who either suffer from a physical problem, a different mental disorder, or who have no problem at all.

Professionals concerned about over-diagnosis have named certain disorders in particular:

• Depression. Sometimes symptoms that resemble depression can be caused by stress or dissatisfaction with one’s life, not a chemical imbalance. Hypothyroidism and other medical issues can also mimic depression.
• Bipolar Disorder. Substance abuse, a rare seizure disorder, and depression, among many other things, can resemble this disorder.
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Some children diagnosed with ADHD turn out to be intelligent and bored in class or suffering from learning disabilities, to name two of many alternative diagnoses.

This is not to say the above disorders are not real. Proper treatment is vital for those who truly suffer from them. But a person misdiagnosed with one of these problems can sustain real injury as a result.

Results of Misdiagnosis

There are two basic forms of damage caused by misdiagnosis.

• Incorrect medication. Being on the wrong drug is terrible for your health. Various psychoactive drugs can cause a range of problems, including loss of sleep, nausea and even suicidal impulses.
• Incorrect treatment. Spending time in therapy when a person has a physical problem, or vice versa, allows the real underlying problem to progress unchecked. The wrong treatment may even make the original problem worse.

If you have suffered due to an incorrect psychological diagnosis, contact Madison wrong diagnosis attorneys Habush, Habush & Rottier at 608-255-6663.