“In chapter 2, Wendell discusses the general idea that medical notions of illness and abnormality are socially constructed. Conrad and Feder continue this discussion by focusing on two specific conditions” or “syndromes”: hyperkinesis (more familiarly named “hyperactivity” and later “ADHD” and “ADD”) and “excessive height in girls”, and claim that certain conditions (or “syndromes”) are fabricated by the medical community, perhaps out of a desire to normalize biological diversity.

Explain what Wendell, Conrad and Feder mean when they claim that some medical conditions are socially constructed. What exactly does that mean? After all, there are tall girls and some children are very active. So what exactly is being “socially constructed”? If the experiences of the patients are real, if their bodily differences are real (they really are tall, or they really are very active) then how can it be that the conditions are not pathological and in need of medical treatment?”