WEP Dr. Phil

ROBERT M. NEWELL, PH.D.

FORENSIC AND CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

Specializing in Behavioral Healthcare for Children &

Adolescents, Families, Couples, and Adults.

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HOW DR. PHIL GOT IT WRONG ABOUT ADHD

On September 28, 2004 Dr. Phil aired a show entitled “Parenting with Pills.” As a child/adolescent clinical psychologist, I was quite disappointed in Dr. Phil’s presentation. Instead of providing viewers with factual, research-based information, it seems the Dr. Phil chose to sensationalize the issue, and to present the information in a provocative (and inaccurate) manner.

Over the past two decades, extensive scientific research has been conducted on ADHD. Experts in ADHD and advocates for families and adults affected by ADHD have worked for many years to help the public better understand the facts about this disorder. Unfortunately, from the mid-1980's through the 1990's the media often ignored these facts in favor of sensationalized stories that misinformed viewers. The controversy surrounding ADHD has centered around the causes of ADHD, the accurate diagnosis of children suspected of having ADHD, and psychopharmacological treatment of children with ADHD.

In the last few years there has been in increased acceptance by the general public of ADHD as a genuine neurobehavioral disorder that is best treated with a combination of medication, psychosocial interventions, classroom accommodations, and teacher and parent education. Dr. Phil’s TV show was disappointing because instead of presenting factual and accurate information about ADHD, he choose to sensationalize the issues and to present the topic in an inaccurate, stigmatizing, and a potentially harmful manner. Two national organizations, Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) and the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), criticized Dr. Phil for the irresponsible manner in which he presented the information. Unfortunately, Dr. Phil missed an opportunity to provide the public with the correct facts about ADHD, and instead proliferated some common misconceptions that will likely create obstacles for children and adolescents with this disorder to obtain proper care.

Dr. Phil did correctly point out that ADHD is a neurobehavioral disorder characterized by differences in brain structure and function, and that medication can be effective and is often necessary. He also emphasized that other conditions such as anxiety and depression can contribute to symptoms that look like ADHD, and children should be carefully evaluated for co-occurring disorders. He encouraged the development of a consistent and structured setting at home and school to help the child perform, and he advised parents to consult with their physician if they suspect their child has ADHD.

However, he ignored an abundance of scientific evidence to the contrary when he stated that diets high in sugar or food additives could trigger ADHD. He also got it wrong when he said medication could be effective for 50 percent of children with ADHD—many studies show that about 70 to 90 percent of children with ADHD respond to psychostimulant medication. Also, Dr. Phil seemed to imply that parenting style can be the cause of the development of ADHD symptoms, and he failed to adequately acknowledge that ADHD is largely a heritable disorder and is not caused by parent-child interaction or environment. Furthermore, his statement that the ONLY way to diagnose ADHD is with an EEG or a spectagram is not supported by research and is, in fact, just plain wrong and inaccurate.

In the future, the media, and Dr. Phil, in particular, should be more responsible in reporting on ADHD and in getting their facts straight so that the general public is correctly informed. I am especially disappointed in Dr. Phil’s presentation because, as a psychologist and someone with professional training in the science of human behavior, he should have presented information based on research—not hype. It seems to me that rather than provide people with accurate information that could help them, Dr. Phil chose to present sensationalized information that would boost TV viewer ratings.

Over the past two decades a great deal of progress has been made in our understanding of this disorder, it’s negative effect on people’s lives, and appropriate treatment. Any sensationalizing of the issues related to this disorder is inappropriate and professionally irresponsible.

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DR. ROBERT M. NEWELL

Telephone: 509-910-0329

Email: mail@drrobertnewell.com

Website: www.drrobertnewell.com