A FICTITIOUS DISEASE is an episode on how researching the 'father' of ADHD Dr. Leon Eisenberg deathbed statement "ADHD is a prime example of a fictitious disease" led me to Harvard professor Dr. Jerome Kagan (RIP 2021) and his critique on ADHD being an invention.
Jerome Kagan was not only a tenured professor at one of the most prestigious universities in the world; he was also considered one of the world’s best psychologists. In fact, his fellow academics ranked Kagan the 22nd most eminent psychologist of the 20th century. This ranking put the good professor ahead of Carl Jung (Yes – THAT Carl Jung), who was ranked 23rd.
So, if anyone has earned the right to critique one of the most diagnosed mental health conditions in existence, it’s Jerome Kagan. And critique the condition, he did.
Kagan didn’t believe that ADHD is a real condition. That’s right, Kagan’s position was that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a complete hoax. Needless to say, Kagan’s proclamation has ruffled a lot of feathers. Psychologists and other medical professionals have gone on the offensive, attempting to discredit Kagan’s statements. However, Kagan stands firm in his position.
See and hear for yourself what Dr. Leon Eisenberg and Jerome Kagan think of ADHD as a mental disorder:
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/work-of-fiction/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/culture-mind-and-brain/201804/if-adhd-is-not-real-why-do-so-many-kids-struggle
https://www.powerofpositivity.com/harvard-psychologist-adhd-doesnt-really-exist/
https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2021/05/remembering-jerome-kagan-towering-harvard-psychologist/
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