Batstra, Prof. Laura
Laura Batstra (1973) graduated cum laude in psychology in 1997. She then joined the University Medical Center Groningen as a psychologist, where she worked on various projects in the field of indirect patient care. At the end of 2004 she was awarded a PhD for her thesis ‘Difficult Birth, Difficult Life?’ She went on to work as a treating psychologist at an institution for child and youth psychiatry. 2012 saw the publication of Batstra’s book ‘ Hoe voorkom je ADHD? Door de diagnose niet te stellen ’ (‘How can ADHD be prevented? By not diagnosing it.’), in which she advocates a new approach to ADHD problems.
According to Batstra, in recent years, there has been an excessive focus on disorder-thinking. "If people experience symptoms that are actually part of life, we too quickly assume that something is wrong and that individual medical help is needed. For example, a child who is just a bit hyperactive might be prescribed ADHD medication. Or someone labeled with 'complex grief' because they grieve a deceased loved one for too long. I don't want to deny or trivialize these issues, but I believe we should critically assess whether they belong in psychiatry and if medication is the right approach."
Batstra’s fields of research include methods for preventing over-diagnosis without risking under-treatment. ‘In many cases involving children perceived as problematic, the child can be spared the negative effects of a psychiatric diagnosis if help and support is offered to adults in that child’s environment.’ 2012 saw the publication of Batstra’s book ‘ Hoe voorkom je ADHD? Door de diagnose niet te stellen ’ (‘How can ADHD be prevented? By not diagnosing it.’), in which she advocates a new approach to ADHD problems.
Stop diagnosing ADHD
Laura Batstra UG Lecturer of the Year 2011
Previously in the news
2024
Batstra,
L., de Vries, W., & Thoutenhoofd, E. D.
(2024). Does Using Core Quadrants Lead to More Teacher
Self-Efficacy and Less Perceived Problem Behaviour?
European Journal of Inclusive Education,
3(1), 43-59. https://doi.org/10.7146/ejie.v3i1.137366
Ponnou,
S., Timimi, S., Briffault, X., Batstra, L.,
Gøtzsche, P. C., & Gonon, F. (2024). WHO Essential
Medicines List and methylphenidate for ADHD in children and
adolescents. The Lancet. Psychiatry,
11(2), 92-93. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(23)00392-9
2023
Batstra,
L. (2023). ADHD: Macht en Misverstanden: volledig
herziene 6e druk. (6 ed.) Lucht.
van
Dijk, E., van Tol, D., Wienen, B., &
Batstra, L. (2023). Psychische klachten: waarom niets
doen zo lastig is. Huisarts en
Wetenschap, 66(10), 26-29. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12445-023-2321-9
Batstra,
L., & Thoutenhoofd, E. D. (2023). Van kinderen
naar leerkrachten met speciale onderwijsbehoeften.
Pedagogische studien, 100(1),
125-136. https://doi.org/10.59302/PS.V100I1.13993
Sluiter,
M. N., Bos, E. H., Doornenbal, J. M., de Jonge,
P., & Batstra, L. (2023). Wild and
Willful Kids: Can We Help Parents? The Effectiveness of a Group
Parent Training Program Without a Psychiatric Label.
Journal of Psychiatric Practice,
29(3), 246-259. https://doi.org/10.1097/PRA.0000000000000704
2022
te
Meerman, S., Freedman, J. E., & Batstra, L.
(2022). ADHD and reification: Four ways a psychiatric
construct is portrayed as a disease. Frontiers in
Psychiatry, 13, Article 1055328. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1055328
Batstra,
L., van Roy, A. C. M., & Thoutenhoofd, E.
D. (2022). Corrigendum: Teachers with Special Needs.
De-Psychiatrization of Children in Schools(Front Sociol., (2021),
6, (781057), 10.3389/fsoc.2021.781057). Frontiers
in Sociology, 6, Article 836331. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2021.836331
Batstra,
L., Whitely, M., & Timimi, S. (2022). Editorial:
ADHD: Science and society. Frontiers in
Psychiatry, 13, Article 1129728. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1129728
van
Dijk, E., van Tol, D., Diemers, A.
D., Wienen, A., & Batstra, L. (2022).
Sick or Sad? A Qualitative Study on How Dutch GPs Deal With
Sadness Complaints Among Young Adults. Frontiers
in Sociology, 6, Article 765814. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2021.765814
2021
Batstra,
L., Lotterman, J., & Dijk, K. (2021). "Ik heb geen
visie op ADHD, ik heb een visie op kinderen”: ADHD in de
kinderopvang. Kiddo, 2021(5),
52-55.
Batstra,
L. (2021). Is er toekomst voor ADHD?
De Psycholoog, 56(6), 10-15.
Batstra,
L., & Sluiter, M. (2021). Rebelleren,
nuanceren en ontzien. Een andere kijk op ADHD.
PIP-pedagogiek in praktijk, 27(123),
42-46.
Batstra,
L. (2021). Researchers should do more to bring their
findings to society: the case of ADHD-medication.
Sociology Lens. https://www.sociologylens.net/article-types/opinion/adhd-medication-research/36169
Batstra,
L., van Roy, M., & Thoutenhoofd, E. D.
(2021). Teachers with Special Needs. De-Psychiatrization of
Children in Schools. Frontiers in
Sociology, 6, Article 781057. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2021.781057
2020
te
Meerman, S., Batstra, L., Freedman, J.,
Hoekstra, R., & Grietens, H. (2020). ADHD and
brain anatomy: What do academic textbooks used in the Netherlands
tell students? Children & Society,
34(2), 136-150. https://doi.org/10.1111/chso.12362
te
Meerman, S., Batstra, L., Freedman, J.,
Hoekstra, R., & Grietens, H. (2020). ADHD and
brain anatomy: First do no harm! Sociology
Lens. https://www.sociologylens.net/article-types/opinion/adhd-brain-anatomy-first-do-no-harm/29128
Batstra,
L. (2020). ADHD-richtlijnen: Kind en de
(ortho)pedagogiek voorop! De Pedagoog,
2020(3), 12-13.
Batstra,
L., & Doornenbal, J. (2020). De opvoedingsomgeving
versterken: Een decennium Druk & Dwars.
PIP-pedagogiek in praktijk, (116).
Batstra,
L. (2020). Handleiding groepstraining educatieve
professionals voor het omgaan met druk en dwars gedrag op de
groep.
Batstra,
L. (2020). Passend Onderwijs: Anders handelen vereist
Anders denken. TIB: Tijdschrift Intern
Begeleiders, 2020(5).
Batstra,
L., & Thoutenhoofd, E. D. (2020). The lack of
common sense in disorder thinking. Sociology
Lens. https://www.sociologylens.net/article-types/opinion/lack-of-common-sense-in-disorder-thinking/29776
Batstra,
L., Foget, L., van Haeringen, C., Meerman, S.
T., & Thoutenhoofd, E. D. (2020). What children
and young people learn about ADHD from youth information books: A
text analysis of nine books on ADHD available in Dutch.
Scandinavian journal of child and adolescent psychiatry
and psychology, 8, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.21307/sjcapp-2020-001
2019
Sluiter,
M. N., de Vries, Y. A., Koning, L. G.,
Hak, E., Bos, J. H. J.,
Schuiling-Veninga, C. C. M., Batstra, L.,
Doornenbal, J. M., & de Jonge, P. (2020). A
Prescription Trend Analysis of Methylphenidate: Relation to Study
Reports on Efficacy. Administration and Policy in
Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research ,
47(2), 291–299. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-019-00983-6
te
Meerman, S., Batstra, L., Hoekstra,
R., & Grietens, H. (2019). Academic textbooks on
ADHD genetics: Balanced or biased? (vol 12, 1305590, 2017).
International journal of qualitative studies on health
and well-Being, 14(1), Article 1616433. https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2019.1616433
Sluiter,
M. N., Wienen, A. W., Thoutenhoofd, E. D., Doornenbal, J.
M., & Batstra, L. (2019). Teachers' role and
attitudes concerning ADHD medication: A qualitative
analysis. Psychology in the schools,
56(8 ), 1259-1270. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.22270
Wienen,
A. W., Sluiter, M. N., Thoutenhoofd, E., de
Jonge, P., & Batstra, L. (2019). The
advantages of an ADHD classification from the perspective of
teachers. European Journal of Special Needs
Education, 34(5), 649-662. https://doi.org/10.1080/08856257.2019.1580838
2018
Wienen,
A. W., Batstra, L., Thoutenhoofd, E., Bos, E.
H., & de Jonge, P. (2019). Do troublesome
pupils impact teacher perception of the behaviour of their
classmates? European Journal of Special Needs
Education, 34(1), 114-123. https://doi.org/10.1080/08856257.2017.1421600
Wienen,
A. W., Reijnders, I., van Aggelen, M. H., Bos, E. H.,
Batstra, L., & de Jonge, P. (2019).
The relative impact of school‐wide positive behavior
support on teachers’ perceptions of student behavior across
schools, teachers, and students. Psychology in the
schools, 56(2), 232-241. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.22209
Wubs,
D., Batstra, L., & Grietens, H. (2018).
Balancing between care-giving and professionalism: Women's
narratives on fostering a victim of maternal sexual abuse.
Child and Family Social Work, 23(4),
757-764. https://doi.org/10.1111/cfs.12597
Wubs,
D., Batstra, L., & Grietens, H. W. E. (2018).
Speaking With and Without Words-An Analysis of Foster
Children's Expressions and Behaviors That Are Suggestive of Prior
Sexual Abuse. Journal of Child Sexual
Abuse, 27(1), 70-87. https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2017.1390716
Wienen,
A. W., Batstra, L., Thoutenhoofd, E., de Jonge,
P., & Bos, E. H. (2018). Teachers' perceptions of
behavioral problems in Dutch primary education pupils: The role of
relative age. PLoS ONE,
13(10), Article 0204718. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0204718
Batstra,
L. (2018). Van psychiatrische kinderziekten naar
sociale en maatschappelijke problemen. In D. Graas, A. de
Klein, J. Stevens, T. Jansen, & G. van Nunen (Eds.),
Écht doen wat nodig is: Pleidooi voor kleinschalige
effectieve jeugdhulp (pp. 72-78). Stichting Beroepseer.
Batstra,
L. (2018). Wat is er mis met een stoornis?
Passend Onderwijs Magazine, 6(3),
6-9.
2017
te
Meerman, S., Batstra, L., Grietens, H., &
Frances, A. (2017). ADHD: A critical update For educational
professionals. Int J Qual Stud Health
Well-being , 12(1), Article 1298267. https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2017.1298267
Batstra,
L. (2017). ADHD: Macht en
Misverstanden. Lucht.
Batstra,
L. (2017). ADHD en hersenen: First do no harm!
GZ-Psychologie, 9, 30-32. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41480-017-0066-4
Batstra,
L. (2017). Meneer Ten Brug. In Hoera, ik
sta voor de klas! (4 ed., pp. 14-16). Quirijn.
te
Meerman, S., Batstra, L., Hoekstra,
R., & Grietens, H. (2017). Study books on ADHD
genetics: balanced or biased? International
journal of qualitative studies on health and
well-Being, 12, Article 1305590. https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2017.1305590
Batstra,
L., Te Meerman, S., Conners, K., & Frances,
A. (2017). Subcortical brain volume differences in
participants with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in
children and adults. The Lancet.
Psychiatry, 4(6), 439. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(17)30107-4
Foget,
L., van Haeringen, C., te Meerman, S., &
Batstra, L. (2017). Wat leert de jeugd van educatieve
kinderboeken en ADHD? Orthopedagogiek: Onderzoek
en Praktijk, 56(9-10), 170-182.
2016
Wubs,
S., Grietens, H., & Batstra, L. (2016).
Family narratives on fostering a child with a history of
sexual abuse. Abstract from EUSARF 2016, Oviedo,
Spain.
te
Meerman, S., Batstra, L., Hoekstra,
R., & Grietens, H. (2016). Selective
quantitative writing on ADHD genetics in study books: A critical
analysis. Abstract from EUSARF 2016, Oviedo,
Spain.
2015
Batstra,
L., Nieweg, E. H., Engelsman, R. C. A., & Hadders-Algra,
M. (2015). Een 'stepped diagnosis' aanpak voor drukke dwarse
en dromerige kinderen. In S. Vandamme (Ed.), Van nu en
straks: Over toekomstdenken (pp. 81-92). Academia Press.
2014
Krabbe,
E., Thoutenhoofd, E., Conradi, M., Pijl, S.,
& Batstra, L. (2014). Birth months as predictor of
ADHD medication use in Dutch school classes.
European Journal of Special Needs Education,
29(4), 571-578. https://doi.org/10.1080/08856257.2014.943564
Batstra,
L., Nieweg, E. H., Pijl, S., Van Tol, D.
G., & Hadders-Algra, M. (2014).
Childhood ADHD: A Stepped Diagnosis Approach.
Journal of Psychiatric Practice,
20(3), 169-177. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.pra.0000450316.68494.20
Postma-Van
der Woude, P., van Joolingen, J., & Batstra, L.
(2014). De visie op ADHD, standvastig of
beïnvloedbaar? Orthopedagogiek: Onderzoek en
Praktijk, 53(10).
Batstra,
L., Nieweg, E. H., Engelsman, R. C. A., &
Hadders-Algra, M. (2014). Een ‘Stepped
Diagnosis’ aanpak voor drukke, dwarse en dromerige
kinderen. Orthopedagogiek: Onderzoek en
Praktijk, 53(10), 409.
Batstra,
L., Nieweg, E. H., & Hadders-Algra, M.
(2014). Exploring five common assumptions on Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Acta
Paediatrica, 103(7), 696-700. https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.12642
Batstra,
L., & te Meerman, S. (2014). Handleiding
groepscursus voor ouders van kinderen met druk en dwars
gedrag.
Wubs,
D., Grietens, H., & Batstra, L. (2014).
Project Iris - Caring for a sexually abused foster
child.. 285. Paper presented at EUSARF 2014 'Making a
difference', Copenhagen, Denmark.
2013
Thomas,
R., Mitchell, G. K., & Batstra, L. (2013).
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: are we helping or
harming? BMJ-British Medical Journal,
347, Article 6172. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.f6172
Batstra,
L. (2013). Epiloog. In I. Devisch (Ed.),
Ziek van gezondheid. Voor elk probleem een pil? (pp.
149-162). De Bezige Bij.
Krabbe,
E., Batstra, L., Conradi, M., & Pijl,
S.-J. (2013). Jong gedrag vaak verward met
ADHD. Medisch Contact,
68(23), 1241-1243.
Thoutenhoofd,
E., & Batstra, L. (2013). Overleeft de
psychiatrie de DSM-5? De Psycholoog,
48(3), 10-17.
Batstra,
L., & Frances, A. (2013). Psychiatrische
overdiagnostiek voorkomen zonder onderbehandeling te
riskeren. De Psycholoog,
48(6), 10-17.
Batstra,
L., Thomas, R., & Mitchell, G. (2013). Regulators
should do more to protect whistleblowers, commission says
Reply. BMJ-British Medical Journal,
347, Article 7080. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.f7080
Batstra,
L. (2013). Stepped diagnosis in child
psychiatry. Paper presented at Inclusive Education
Conference, Groningen, Netherlands.
Batstra,
L., & Thoutenhoofd, E. (2013). The risk that
DSM-5 will further inflate the diagnostic bubble. Paper
presented at Conference of the Behavioral and Social Sciences,
Groningen, Netherlands.
Batstra,
L. (2013). Tussen verzinsel en hersenziekte: Wat is nu
écht ADHD? . JA! Tijdschrift van de
Artsen(vereniging) Jeugdgezondheidszorg Nederland,
29, 7-9.
Frances,
A., & Batstra, L. (2013). Why So Many
Epidemics of Childhood Mental Disorder? Journal of
Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics,
34(4), 291-292. https://doi.org/10.1097/DBP.0b013e31829425f5
2012
Batstra,
L., Hadders-Algra, M., Nieweg, E., Van
Tol, D., Pijl, S. J., & Frances, A. (2012).
Childhood emotional and behavioral problems: reducing
overdiagnosis without risking undertreatment.
Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology,
54(6), 492-494. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8749.2011.04176.x
Batstra,
L., & Frances, A. (2012). Diagnostic Inflation
Causes and a Suggested Cure. JOURNAL OF NERVOUS
AND MENTAL DISEASE, 200(6), 474-479. https://doi.org/10.1097/NMD.0b013e318257c4a2
Batstra,
L., & Frances, A. (2012). DSM-5 Further Inflates
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. JOURNAL
OF NERVOUS AND MENTAL DISEASE, 200(6),
486-488. https://doi.org/10.1097/NMD.0b013e318257c4b6
Batstra,
L. (2012). Hoe voorkom je ADHD? Door de diagnose
niet te stellen. Uitgeverij Nieuwezijds.
Batstra,
L., & Frances, A. (2012). Holding the Line against
Diagnostic Inflation in Psychiatry. Psychotherapy
and psychosomatics, 81(1), 5-10. https://doi.org/10.1159/000331565
Nieweg,
E., & Batstra, L. (2012). Medicamenteuze
behandeling van ADHD bij kinderen en adolescenten.
Geneesmiddelenbulletin, 46(11), 121
- 129.
Batstra,
L. (2012). Red de diagnose ADHD. De
Psycholoog, 47(7-8), 26 - 30.
2009
Batstra,
L. (2009). Protocol kortdurende thuisbehandeling
bij ADHD en ODD.
2006
Batstra,
L., Neeleman, J., Elsinga, C., & Hadders-Algra,
M. (2006). Psychiatric morbidity is related to a chain
of prenatal and perinatal adversities. Early Human
Development, 82(11), 721-729. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2006.03.003
2004
Batstra,
L., Hadders-Algra, M., Ormel, J.,
& Neeleman, J. (2004). Obstetric optimality and emotional
problems and substance use in young adulthood.
Early Human Development, 80(2),
91-101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2004.04.016
2003
Batstra,
L., Neeleman, J., & Hadders-Algra, M.
(2003). Can breast feeding modify the adverse effects of
smoking during pregnancy on the child's cognitive
development? Journal of Epidemiology and Community
Health, 57(6), 403-404. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech.57.6.403
Batstra,
L., Hadders-Algra, M., & Neeleman, J.
(2003). Effect of antenatal exposure to maternal smoking on
behavioural problems and academic achievement in childhood:
prospective evidence from a Dutch birth cohort.
Early Human Development, 75(1-2),
21-33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2003.09.001
Batstra,
L., Neeleman, J., & Hadders-Algra, M.
(2003). The neurology of learning and behavioural problems in
pre-adolescent children. Acta Psychiatrica
Scandinavica, 108(2), 92-100.
2002
Batstra,
L., van de Wiel, HBM., & Schuiling, GA.
(2002). Opinions about 'unexplained subfertility'.
Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and
Gynecology, 23(4), 211-214.
Batstra,
L., Bos, EH., & Neeleman, J. (2002). Quantifying
psychiatric comorbidity - Lessions from chronic disease
epidemiology. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric
Epidemiology, 37(3), 105-111.
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