[originally published in KCN, March 2003]
Imagine for a moment a medical disorder — a medical disorder primarily found in children. This medical disorder is unique, however. Because unlike most disorders that have lab work-ups, special imaging, fancy tests, or good old-fashioned doctor procedures to verify their diagnoses, this one has none. The only bit of evidence that exists to support it are the various observations and interviews that the doctor (hopefully) conducts with the involved parties. In essence, it’s a diagnosis that is totally opinion-based. Now imagine that the number one treatment for this diagnosis, primarily found in children, that lacks any “hard” clinical evidence for its existence, is a drug very similar to cocaine. Sound ridiculous? Well, it’s not. As a matter of fact, it’s happening every day.