Abstract

MIRANDA, Maria João  and  MARTINS, Paula Cristina. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention in ADHD: The perspective of health professionals. Psicologia [online]. 2021, vol.35, n.2, pp.79-94.  Epub Dec 31, 2021. ISSN 0874-2049.  https://doi.org/10.17575/psicologia.v35i2.1752.

The trend towards an increase in ADHD in childhood/adolescence is controversial, but the increase in drug prescription rates is undeniable. Given the role of health professionals in this process, their perspective on the diagnosis and intervention in this disorder is pivotal. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight physicians and eight psychologists, selected by non-probabilistic sampling methods. From the content analysis resulted that the spectrum of recommended therapies for ADHD is known and prescribed by professionals according to adequacy and efficacy criteria, in a weighted cost-benefit analysis. This process also has other actors responsible for signaling and referring cases (family and school) who, With easy access to services, they put on clinicians their expectations of a quick and effective resolution, which creates a process of social pressure for pharmacological prescription. Non-pharmacological therapies are recognized as having an effective role, but there are still difficulties in access and supply.

Keywords : ADHD; children and adolescents; diagnosis; psychosocial intervention; psychopharmacological intervention.

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