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Att ifrågasätta sin diagnos: En kvalitativ studie om hur personer med diagnoserna ADHD och/eller AST resonerar kring avdiagnostisering

Dahlström, Filippa LU and Cedergren, Signe LU (2023) SOPB63 20231
School of Social Work
Abstract
There is an ongoing debate regarding the increasing ADHD and ASD diagnoses, suggesting both possible overdiagnosis and underdiagnosis. Unclear boundaries and overlap with other psychiatric conditions also pose a risk of misdiagnosis. Recently, the topic of "de-diagnosing" (avdiagnostisering) has emerged. This study aims to examine how individuals with ADHD and/or ASD reason about the de-diagnosing of these conditions. To be de-diagnosed means to have a diagnosis revoked or removed. This study is based on a qualitative method. We performed semi-structured interviews with eight individuals diagnosed with ADHD and/or ASD, who at some point have thought about de-diagnosing. In analyzing our results we applied Goffman’s theory of stigma. The... (More)
There is an ongoing debate regarding the increasing ADHD and ASD diagnoses, suggesting both possible overdiagnosis and underdiagnosis. Unclear boundaries and overlap with other psychiatric conditions also pose a risk of misdiagnosis. Recently, the topic of "de-diagnosing" (avdiagnostisering) has emerged. This study aims to examine how individuals with ADHD and/or ASD reason about the de-diagnosing of these conditions. To be de-diagnosed means to have a diagnosis revoked or removed. This study is based on a qualitative method. We performed semi-structured interviews with eight individuals diagnosed with ADHD and/or ASD, who at some point have thought about de-diagnosing. In analyzing our results we applied Goffman’s theory of stigma. The analysis revealed themes related to the visibility of the diagnosis, its impact on identity, beliefs about the diagnosis, and de-diagnosing. Participants discussed their choices of disclosing the diagnosis, the effects on self-image, prejudices, and stereotypes, and reasons for considering de-diagnosing. Reasons for de-diagnosing included among other things, lack of identification with the symptoms or perceiving the diagnosis as a limitation in one’s life. The findings highlighted the complexities and individual perspectives surrounding the issue of de-diagnosing ADHD and ASD. (Less)
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author
Dahlström, Filippa LU and Cedergren, Signe LU
supervisor
organization
course
SOPB63 20231
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
ADHD, ASD, neurodevelopmental disorders, autism, de-diagnosing, misdiagnosis, overdiagnosis, stigma, AST, NPF, neuropsykiatriska funktionsnedsättningar, avdiagnostisering, feldiagnostisering, överdiagnostisering
language
Swedish
id
9121531
date added to LUP
2023-06-11 18:19:52
date last changed
2023-06-11 18:19:52
@misc{9121531,
  abstract     = {{There is an ongoing debate regarding the increasing ADHD and ASD diagnoses, suggesting both possible overdiagnosis and underdiagnosis. Unclear boundaries and overlap with other psychiatric conditions also pose a risk of misdiagnosis. Recently, the topic of "de-diagnosing" (avdiagnostisering) has emerged. This study aims to examine how individuals with ADHD and/or ASD reason about the de-diagnosing of these conditions. To be de-diagnosed means to have a diagnosis revoked or removed. This study is based on a qualitative method. We performed semi-structured interviews with eight individuals diagnosed with ADHD and/or ASD, who at some point have thought about de-diagnosing. In analyzing our results we applied Goffman’s theory of stigma. The analysis revealed themes related to the visibility of the diagnosis, its impact on identity, beliefs about the diagnosis, and de-diagnosing. Participants discussed their choices of disclosing the diagnosis, the effects on self-image, prejudices, and stereotypes, and reasons for considering de-diagnosing. Reasons for de-diagnosing included among other things, lack of identification with the symptoms or perceiving the diagnosis as a limitation in one’s life. The findings highlighted the complexities and individual perspectives surrounding the issue of de-diagnosing ADHD and ASD.}},
  author       = {{Dahlström, Filippa and Cedergren, Signe}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Att ifrågasätta sin diagnos: En kvalitativ studie om hur personer med diagnoserna ADHD och/eller AST resonerar kring avdiagnostisering}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}