A brief reflection on the medicalization and diagnosis of children based on a clinical case

Abstract

This work, based on a clinical case and academic internship in Psychology, presents a critical reflection on diagnostic processes and the growing practice of early medicalization in childhood. The research methodology adopted is the experience report, complemented by a narrative literature review based on previous publications relevant to the topic. The central objective is to analyze and compare the interpretations obtained from a unique clinical case with theoretical frameworks that support the critique of rapid diagnosis and pharmacological intervention in childhood. It is hoped that this will contribute to the debate on the risks of pathologizing child development and the need for clinical practices that are more attentive to subjectivity and context.