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What a curious comment.
From an introduction to “A qualitative study of Australian GPs’ attitudes and practices in the diagnosis and management of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).” Authors: K Shaw, I Wagnera, H Eastwood, and G Mitchell
“Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a behavioural syndrome where inattention and/or hyperactivity impair social, academic or occupational function. Although the aetiology is still largely unknown, there is less evidence to support social and environmental causes than those that are neurobiological or neurodevelopmental in nature. Genetic factors, neurotransmitter abnormalities, cerebral glucose metabolism anomalies and frontal lobe abnormalities have all been implicated as possible causes of ADHD.
Estimates of the prevalence of the disorder vary according to the sample population’s location, age and gender distribution, and the diagnostic criteria used to assess ADHD in different countries. Worldwide prevalence is estimated to be between 1.7 and 6.7%. The disorder is 4–9 times more common in boys than girls. Approximately 65.0% of these children will have one or more co-morbid psychiatric or disruptive behavioural disorder. If left untreated, the long-term prognosis is poor. Manuzza et al. described an 11-fold increase in ongoing ADHD symptoms, a 9-fold increase in antisocial personality disorder and criminal detention, and a 4-fold increase in the rate of drug abuse in unmedicated sufferers compared with medicated controls.
In many countries, the importance of primary care involvement with ADHD is increasing due to the rising numbers of patients who present with the disorder. (Various references redacted)
So Australians see it. And it appears a few Canadians do, as well. Ironically, I know a Ukrainian family that suffers terribly from it.
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