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[[Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder]] (ADHD) is one of the most controversial [[Mental illness|psychiatric disorders]] despite being a well validated clinical diagnosis.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Mayes R, Bagwell C, Erkulwater J |title=ADHD and the rise in stimulant use among children |journal=Harv Rev Psychiatry |volume=16 |issue=3 |pages=151–66 |year=2008 |pmid=18569037 |doi=10.1080/10673220802167782 |url=}}</ref><ref name=Foreman2006>{{cite journal | last = Foreman | first = D. M. | year = 2006 | title = Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: legal and ethical aspects | journal = Archives of Disease in Childhood | volume = 91| issue = 2 | pages = 192–94 | publisher = | pmid = 16428370 | doi = 10.1136/adc.2004.064576 | url = http://adc.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/91/2/192?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=ADHD&andorexactfulltext=and&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=relevance&resourcetype=HWCIT | format = REVIEW, full text | accessdate = | quote = }}</ref> ADHD and its treatment have been considered controversial at least since the 1970s.<ref>{{cite book |title=Encyclopedia of Social Problems |last=Parrillo |first=Vincent |year=2008 |publisher=SAGE |location= |isbn=9781412941655 |url=http://books.google.ca/books?id=mRGr_B4Y1CEC&pg=PA63&dq=percent+who+consider+ADHD+controversial&ei=kIEJScO6CY_-sQPYp62HAg |page=63 }}</ref><ref name=US1999>{{cite web |url=http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epcsums/adhdsum.htm |title=Treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder |accessdate=2008-10-02 |work= |publisher=US department of health and human services |month=December | year=1999 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Cohen, Donald J.; Cicchetti, Dante |title=Developmental psychopathology |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |location=Chichester |year=2006 |pages= |isbn=0-471-23737-X |oclc= |doi= |accessdate=}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Safer DJ |title=Are stimulants overprescribed for youths with ADHD? |journal=Ann Clin Psychiatry |volume=12 |issue=1 |pages=55–62 |year=2000 |month=March |pmid=10798827 |doi= |url=}}</ref> The controversy involves clinicians, teachers, policymakers, parents, and the media with opinions regarding ADHD ranging from those who do not believe it exists to those who believe that there is genetic and physiological basis for the condition.<ref name=US1999/>