What effect might misdiagnosis have on their lives

What effect might misdiagnosis have on their lives?

A misdiagnosis can harm a child in that they are being labeled with a condition that is not correct, and given medicine to help a condition that does not exist within them. When they are misdiagnosed, the underlying problem is not being treated, and goes unnoticed (respectfully).

Why should or shouldn’t we diagnose young children?

I believe we should not diagnose young children with things such as depression, or any other disorder that may have a very broad definition, or can be easily misdiagnosed. According to the text, depression is not uncommon in adolescents as they transition through puberty. Park &Gauvain (2009) explained that challenges, puberty, and stress may contribute to feelings such as low self-worth and guilt. They proposed parents should intervene during this time to keep the young adult from self-destruction (Park &Gauvain, 2009).

What age is “too young” to diagnose, or is there no age limit?

In reference to the story of Rebecca Riley, in which they were questioned if the child was just going throught the “terrible twos,” I personally believe 2 is too young to diagnose . The definition of abnormal behavior is very different in many cases. Cultural, societal, and personal beliefs can contribute to our own definition of abnormal (Park &Gauvain, 2009). For example, if I go to a store, and there is a screaming child, I may believe this is abnormal. Based on my personal and cultural beliefs, as stated in the text, this is inappropriate or abnormal behavior. Most of the children in my family are well-behaved in public. Park &Gauvain (2009) explains that when behavior is so outrageous, unusual, and causes much distress to the environment it can be classified as “abnormal (Park &Gauvain, 2009).

What are the cons of giving diagnoses too young to children?

When diagnosing children at a young age, they will receive the treatment they need. Some things will fade as they age, such as behavior problems, but some disorders will be a life-long issue for them.

What are the pros and cons of using psychiatric medication with young children?

According to Dr. Rappaport, a child can be diagnosed with ADHD mistakenly. The doctor explains that when a child has reoccurring behavioral problems in school it may be due to a cover-up of a learning disability. Children who have learning disabilities can be very deceptive. They are this way to mask their vulnerability (almost as a protective mechanism). If a child has problems with the assigned school work, they may tear up the assignment, or cause disruptions amongst the other students (Spiro, 2013). They behave in this manner to distract the adult from their learning disability (respectfully).

CBS. (2007). What Killed Rebecca Riley? Retrieved from http://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-killed-rebecca-riley/

Parke, R. D. &Gauvain, M. (2009). Child psychology: A contemporary viewpoint. (7th ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill. ISBN: 978-0-07-338268-5.

Spiro, L. (2013). The Most Common Misdiagnoses in Children: When Symptoms have Multiple Causes, Mistakes are Made. Retrieved from http://www.childmind.org/en/posts/articles/2013-4-9-most-common-misdiagnoses-children