Abstract

In this article, by representing the example of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), I illustrate how diversity in people, professionals and scientific paradigms could be neglected or controlled. I attempt to reconstruct ADHD from a medical disorder to a type of diversity. Some authors have considered negative consequences for medicalization of ADHD. In response, supporters of the medical model of ADHD refer to the needs of `patients`. I confirm existence of difference between ADHD patients with others and the fact that the former might benefit from using stimulants; however, I question current control of health care professionals over these drugs. I compare the professional authority over stimulants with the customer-provider situation that exist for other substances such as alcohol and cigarettes. In addition, I explore diversity of professionals and criticize the assumption that all health care professionals are doing, or should do the same job. Currently, diagnostic criteria dictate how health care professionals should precisely diagnose and treat. I suggest acknowledgment of differences among professionals'perceptions and attitudes and the exploration of such diversity. I suggest different groups of health care professionals might have different approaches toward the same phenomenon, so their knowledge may grow independently to produce `knowledge islands` referring to the same phenomenon. Finally, by investigating the case of ADHD, I illustrate how financial resources could affect scientific organizations and control diversity of thoughts. I make some suggestions to move towards customerism and equal partnership in patient-doctor relationships, and providing legislations that facilitate undertaking research on demedicalizing studies.