Overdiagnosis of Mental Disorders in Children and Adolescents

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CE Course Description

During the past 50 years, numerous sources have reported a worldwide increase in prevalence rates of mental disorders and in prescription rates of psychoactive medication among children and adolescents.  The purpose of this brief, intermediate level continuing education course, developed using information from the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, is to evaluate literature on the topic of overdiagnosis of mental disorders in children and adolescents to determine prevalence and reasons for overdiagnosis. Findings concerning diagnostician, informant and child/adolescent characteristics are summarized, as well as factors concerning diagnostic criteria and the health care system that can lead to mistakes in the routine diagnostic process resulting in misdiagnoses.

Author: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

CE Course Objectives

1. Discuss the evidence for the increase in prevalence rates of mental disorders among children and adolescents. 
2. Identify factors that might cause misdiagnoses in child and adolescent mental disorders.
3. Describe how diagnostician, informant, and child/adolescent characteristics can impact the diagnosis of mental health issues in youth.
4. Evaluate how health policy constraints may influence premature diagnoses in children and adolescents.
5. Summarize specific study findings evaluating overdiagnosis in youth.
6. Consider how these study findings may impact daily practice and further research.

CE Course Outline

Abstract (5 mins)

1. Overview of the course objectives and the concept of overdiagnosis (5 mins)

Background (20 mins)

1. Definition of Overdiagnosis (5 mins)
   1. What constitutes overdiagnosis in mental health?
2. Trends in Diagnosing Mental Disorders in Youth (10 mins)
   1. Increasing prevalence rates of mental health diagnoses in children and adolescents.
   2. Role of societal, cultural, and systemic factors.
3. Contributing Factors (5 mins)
   1. Diagnostic guidelines and their limitations.
   2. Impact of educational and healthcare systems.

Implications for Daily Practice and Further Research (30 mins)

1. Impact on Children and Adolescents (10 mins)
   1. Consequences of unnecessary labeling and treatment.
   2. Long-term effects on self-perception and social development.
2. Implications for Practitioners (10 mins)
   1. The role of healthcare providers in distinguishing between normal developmental variations and clinical conditions.
   2. Avoiding over-reliance on diagnostic tools and checklists.
3. Future Research Directions (10 mins)
   1. Identifying gaps in diagnostic protocols.
   2. Development of more nuanced and context-sensitive approaches to mental health assessment.

Conclusion (5 mins)

1. Recap of the key points discussed.
2. Call to action for mindful diagnosing and collaborative research.

Total Time: 60 minutes (1 hour)
Course Level: Introductory

Course Date: 2019-06-03

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