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American ADHDvs. French ADHD

Why are the numbers so significantly different?

Author: Chandler Owens

Parents

Doctors

Counselors

Teachers

Anyone working or dealing with children on a daily basis

Target Audience

I made this artifact in hopes to make aware the huge difference in number of children diagnosed with ADHD in American and in France

Why do we have so many more children with this condition?

Is there anything we can do?

Why?

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic condition that affects millions of children and often persists into adulthood. ADHD includes a combination of problems

Definition of ADHD

Difficulty paying attention Frequently daydreaming Difficulty following through on instructions and apparently

not listening Frequently has problems organizing tasks or activities Frequently forgetful and loses needed items, such as

books, pencils or toys Frequently fails to finish schoolwork, chores or other tasks Easily distracted Frequently fidgets or squirms Difficulty remaining seated and seemly in constant motion Excessively talkative Frequently interrupts or intrudes on others' conversations

or games Frequently has trouble waiting for his or her turn

Symptoms of ADHD

9% of children in the United States have been diagnosed with ADHD

Only 0.5% of children in France have been diagnosed for the same

Let’s Look at the Numbers

This year, 11% of children ages 4-17 have been diagnosed with ADHD in the United States

Out of 6.4 million children who are diagnosed, most of them have no psychological differences dealing with being distracted than any other child without the diagnosis

More Numbers..

American psychiatrists state that ADHD is a biological disorder that can be treated with biological medications

There is no scientific evidence of this

French psychiatrists believe it to be a medical condition resulting from situational causes

The French believe in treatment by finding the root of what could be causing stress on the child, not medication

More of a social aspect than a brain aspect Counseling is a top priority Only 25% of ADHD diagnosis’ in the United States are given

behavioral therapy

The Main Difference

The definition of ADHD in France is much more narrow, resulting in fewer diagnosis

The French have a classification known as CFTMEA This focuses on finding the true root of the psychosocial problems Rather than just giving medication Counseling is number 1

American has a classification known as DSM Most children are given medicines, such as Adderall, to treat the

symptoms of ADHD Instead of figuring out what could be causing these things

When making the diagnosis

DIET

Preservatives, artificial ingredients, chemicals all play a role in our brain function

American food isn’t known for its “health” benefits We are a pretty unhealthy country

French food is much more fresh and free of fake ingredients

When a child is diagnosed with ADHD in France, the diet is one of the first things to be examined

In America, the diet gets ignored with most children

Other Factors

Child Rearing How a child is raised varies parent to parent

It also varies significantly from America to France

France: more strict and structured American: more laid back and leisurely

The French emphasize self control in children early on, which results in adolescents and young adults who know how to control themselves

In the US, children are more free to do as they please and act out how they want, resulting in uncontrolled behavior

Other Factors

TV Any shows geared toward children under

the age of 3 are banned in France Not so much in the United States

TV has been shown to cause attention and concentration problems

Studies are shown that watching TV at a young age can slow development

America has numerous shows aimed at children of three years and younger

This isn’t saying that French children don’t watch TV, it is just not supported and encouraged as much as it is in America

Other factors

According to PBS Frontline, “The US drastically outpaces the rest of the world in its consumption of stimulant drugs used to treat the symptoms of ADHD;

we produce and consume about 85 percent of the world’s methylphenidate (the active ingredient in Ritalin).”

Stanler, The Cincinnati Post 2000

France –find and treat the root of the social causes for the ADHD

America – treat the symptoms and cover them up enough to be dealt with

**If we can find the stresses and causes, then maybe so many cases in America can be avoided and our numbers won’t be so high

To Sum it up…

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. (2013, March 5). Retrieved June 10, 2015, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/adhd/basics/definition/CON-20023647

Garbarino, C. (2013, May 20). Why American Kids Have ADHD and French Kids Don’t. Retrieved June 10, 2015, from http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2013/05/why-american-kids-have-adhd-and-french- kids-don't/

Jannelli, V. (2014, October 30). Why french kids don't have ADHD? - actually, they do. Retrieved June 10, 2015, from http://pediatrics.about.com/b/2012/03/12/why-french-kids-dont-have-adhd-actually-they-do.htm

Koerth-baker, M. (2013, October 19). The not-so-hidden cause behind the A.D.H.D. epidemic. Retrieved June 17, 2015, from http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/20/magazine/the-not-so-hidden-cause-behind-the-adhd-

epidemic.html?_r=0

Svitak, A. (2015). Berkeley political review. Retrieved June 17, 2015, from http://bpr.berkeley.edu/2014/11/15/children-left-behind-the-adhd-epidemic-and-problems-in-american-education/

Wedge, M. (2012, March 8). Why french kids don't have ADHD. Retrieved June 10, 2015, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/suffer-the-children/201203/why-french-kids-dont-have- adhd

Wedge, M. (2012, September 22). Why french kids don't have ADHD-Part 2. Retrieved June 10, 2015, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/suffer-the-children/201209/why-french-kids-don-t-have-adhd- part-2

References