Is ADHD Overdiagnosis in Children real? What One Mother Learned Beyond Medication

When my son’s teachers repeatedly suggested ADHD testing in early elementary school, I felt torn.

Medication was offered quickly—yet something didn’t sit right with me. What followed was a decision to pause, observe, and focus on foundational health instead. This is not a rejection of medicine, but a reflection on what can be missed when we don’t look deeper.

illustration of the human brain

If you’re a parent today, there’s a good chance you’ve heard some version of this sentence:

“You may want to have your child evaluated for ADHD.”

I heard it more than once.

By second and third grade, my son’s teachers consistently suggested an ADHD evaluation. Eventually, I took him to the pediatrician. The process was straightforward: teacher questionnaires were reviewed, boxes were checked, and the recommendation was clear—start medication, possibly Ritalin.

But something didn’t sit right with me.

This post is not anti-medication and it is not anti-ADHD.

It is about asking better questions—especially when it comes to children.

ADHD Overdiagnosis in Children: Why Diagnoses Are Rising

Let’s start with what we know.

ADHD overdiagnosis in children is a growing concern for many parents navigating school feedback and medical recommendations.

ADHD diagnoses in children have increased significantly over the past two decades

• The CDC estimates that 1 in 9 children in the U.S. now carries an ADHD diagnosis

• Boys are diagnosed at nearly twice the rate of girls

  
  

The question we should be asking isn’t just how ADHD is treated—but how it’s being identified in the first place.

What Often Happens Instead of a Comprehensive Evaluation

In many cases, the pathway looks like this:

1. Teacher reports inattention or hyperactivity

2. Parents are advised to seek evaluation

3. Pediatrician reviews standardized behavior scales

4. Medication is recommended

What’s often missing?

• Nutrition assessment

• Sleep quality and duration

• Blood-sugar stability

• Micronutrient status

• Screen exposure

• Ultra-processed food intake

• Environmental stressors

These are not secondary issues—they directly influence brain development and nervous-system regulation.

What I Did Instead

Rather than starting medication immediately, I chose a different approach.

We focused on fundamentals:

• Removed ultra-processed foods

• Reduced added sugars

• Increased whole, nutrient-dense foods

• Prioritized seafood and seaweed (omega-3s, iodine, trace minerals)

• Added a simple multivitamin

• Focused on regular meals and stable blood sugar

No medication.No “ADHD supplements.”Just foundational health support.

What Happened Next Was Unexpected

A few months later, his teacher emailed me.

She asked:

“Is he taking his medication? There’s a noticeable difference.”

He wasn’t.

The difference came from supporting his nervous system—not suppressing it.

Why This Resonates With Women Over 35

Many of us are managing our own health journeys while raising children in an overstimulated world.

As mothers, we quietly ask ourselves:

• What if I’m missing something?

• What if waiting causes harm?

• What if I push back too much—or not enough?

  
  

Here’s a truth that often goes unsaid:

Once a child enters the medication pathway, it can be difficult to step out of it.

That doesn’t make medication wrong.It means the decision deserves depth and context.

A Missing Conversation in Modern Medicine

Thought leaders like Dr. Christopher Palmer are helping us reconnect a crucial idea:

🧠 Brain health is metabolic health.

Blood sugar regulation, inflammation, mitochondrial function, micronutrients—these all affect attention, impulse control, and emotional regulation.

Yet they’re rarely discussed before a prescription is written.

A Balanced, Important Clarification

To be clear:

✅ ADHD is real✅ Medication can be life-changing for some children✅ Parents should never be shamed for choosing medical treatment

But also:

⚠️ Not every child with focus issues needs medication⚠️ Lifestyle factors are not “extras”—they matter⚠️ Behavior should be contextualized, not pathologized

Questions Every Parent Should Ask First

Before starting medication, consider asking:

• Is sleep truly optimal?

• Are blood-sugar swings possible?

• Does my child eat real meals with protein?

• How much ultra-processed food is present?

• Could micronutrient deficiencies be contributing?

• How much screen stimulation is happening daily?

These questions don’t delay care—they improve it.

Final Thoughts

Parenting today often requires swimming upstream.

Sometimes the most loving decision we make isn’t acting quickly—but pausing thoughtfully.

Our children deserve nothing less.

— Dr. Nadia Mirza

Medical Disclaimer

This article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It does not replace individualized evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment by a qualified healthcare professional. Decisions regarding medication or care should always be made in partnership with a licensed provider.