A Disease Called Childhood: Why ADHD Became an American Epidemic

Since 1987, the number of children diagnosed with ADHD has increased dramatically. Alarmed by this trend, family therapist, Marilyn Wedge, set out to understand how ADHD became an American epidemic-and to find out whether there are alternative treatments to powerful prescription drugs. In A DISEASE CALLED CHILDHOOD, Wedge examines the factors that have created a generation addicted to stimulant drugs. Instead of focusing only on treating symptoms, she looks at the various potential causes of hyperactivity and inattention in children and behavioral and environmental-as opposed to strictly biological-treatments that have been proven to help. In the process, Wedge offers a new paradigm for child mental health-and a better, happier and less medicated future for American children.