02/05/2026
Diagnostic Chaos: The Case of ADHD
“In my experience, the diagnosis of brain-functioning disorders such as ADHD is chaotic in that the same label is attached to vastly different combinations of symptoms. Hence, from a clinical perspective, the label is useless for it carries no information that would help a neurotherapist decide on a regimen of treatment. I tend to avoid the use of diagnostic labels in this book and my clinic. I prefer to speak not of ADHD but rather of attention deficiencies. I avoid diagnostic labels not only because they are often useless but because the stigma attached to the label can have extremely negative consequences. Entire industries have emerged that focus on putting labels on human physical and psychological complaints. A patient or student can be exposed to days of psychological testing. Once these Herculean efforts are completed, a label or labels are offered with various levels of opinionated certainty. The question I always ask after these ordeals are completed is “Now what?” Do the labels have any therapeutic implications? Usually the answer to this question is no. The treatments pursued are going to be largely trial-and-error anyway. Conventional therapists likely will try medication: A-because it often is thought useful with a specific characteristic, such as hyperactivity. If the parents report favorable results, they stay with the treatment. If the reports from the parents are not positive, then the dosage is increased or a new medicaiton is tried. Does this process souond familiar to you? The philosophical basis for neurological brain mapping is different from the basis of the labeling process. Neurotherapists see a problem in brain functioning as a window of opportunity for correcting the problem. Health care providers tend to accept diagnostic labels as evidence of a chronic condition, with negative implications for the patient’s expectation of a positive outcome. From a neurotherapeutic perspective, these problems can be corrected. They are not considered chronic disorders that, at best, can be managed with continuous treatment.” pp. 127, 128, Biofeedback for the Brain by Paul G. Swingle Ph.D. Questions? Treatment begins with a brain map qEEG. Call Fort Wayne Neurofeedback to set an appointment and ask questions. Ph. 260 432-8777