Unconscious Bias and the Diagnosis of Disruptive Behavior Disorders and ADHD in African American and Hispanic Youth

[...]of these biases, psychiatrists and trainees may judge and interpret behaviors seen in ODD, CD, and ADHD differently based on race or ethnicity, putting vulnerable populations at risk [5, 9]. In one nationally representative sample of 17,100 children, African Americans, Hispanics, and children of “other races/ethnicities” were 69% (95% CI 60%-76%), 50% (95% CI 34–62%), and 46% (95% CI 26–61%) less likely, respectively, to receive a diagnosis of ADHD compared to non-Hispanic white children [8]. [...]when assessed for other mental health conditions, 92% met criteria for either major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD, or had a history of a manic episode or panic attacks. Symptoms in disruptive behavior disorders, ADHD, and other mental health conditions may appear superficially similar.