We got a nastygram about calling ADHD a mental disorder

[jmowreader]

My paper has a Christmas fund we call Christmas for All, and as with most papers we do a story about someone who signed up every day. One person we profiled has a child with dyslexia and ADHD and our reporter used the term "mental disorder" to describe them.

Yesterday we ran a letter from someone incensed we'd use that term.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

1. ...

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/index.shtml

"Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD, is one of the most common mental disorders that develop in children."

[Spider Jerusalem]

2. It's not a "mental disorder"; it is a neurological disorder.

The two things are usually seen as being distinct; depression is a mental disorder because there isn't an issue of underlying differences in brain wiring. ADHD and dyslexia on the other hand are neurological because they are the result of different brain wiring. Depression can be treated with SSRIs; ADHD and dyslexia can be mitigated with behavioural interventions and teaching coping skills, but they can't properly be "treated" as such, and someone who is dyslexic or has ADHD will always be dyslexic or have ADHD.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. Alas, it is not a mental disorder

but a neurological condition, a difference of meaning perhaps.

Don't worry, at times I also walk on eggshells on that one too.

[Vashta Nerada]

4. It is a mental disorder.

See post #1.