By: Sheena Scott – H. BA, MACP, RP Qualifying

 “Doesn’t everyone have a little ADHD?” 

As a therapist with a special interest in ADHD, if I had a dollar for every time I was asked this question, I’d be rich. On the surface, it seems like a harmless enough question, and one many of us have likely thought or heard. Between the sheer volume of ADHD-related content on social media and the internet, as well as the increase in the number of adults receiving a late diagnosis, it can certainly feel like every time you turn around someone you know either has or thinks they have ADHD.

But just because ADHD may feel over-diagnosed or more prevalent, doesn’t equate to this being factually true.

As a late diagnosed-ADHD’er myself, it is these types of misconceptions that remind me of how much more work there is to be done in sharing evidence-based information and reducing stigma. In most circumstances, a health diagnosis made by a qualified healthcare practitioner would never be questioned.

Can you imagine someone with diabetes being met with skepticism about their diagnosis? Yet when it comes to mental health and disorders like ADHD that we can’t ‘see’, questioning the validity of someone’s diagnosis seems to be all too common.

Day in and day out, the work I do with clients inevitably involves a healthy dose of psychoeducation about ADHD. By the time clients end up in my (virtual) office, most have either suspected they might have ADHD or have recently been diagnosed.

This means they have usually spent a significant portion of their life feeling a little bit ‘different’, while not being able to put their finger on why. Together, we work to harness those ‘differences’ and leverage the inherent strengths they have as ADHD’ers.

Armed with new knowledge and understanding about themselves and their neurodivergence, I often see an untapped confidence grow in my clients.

New skills around self-advocacy unfold and they begin to share their diagnosis with the people closest to them, slowly dipping their toes into the waters of self-acceptance. This is one of my favourite parts of the therapeutic journey to bear witness to as a therapist, it never gets old.

Predictably, however, I know it’s often only a matter of time before this confidence is at least partly extinguished by well-meaning but frequently misinformed partners, family members, friends, and colleagues.

Making life even more difficult for neurodivergent-affirming providers such as myself, and the clients we support, is the fact that sometimes these comments even come from other healthcare providers. These providers unfortunately often don’t have enough training or experience with ADHD to spot it.

Understandably, this tends to plant further seeds of doubt in folks who are already trying to reconcile how they could have made it this far in life without receiving a diagnosis if they actually have ADHD. 

Self-advocacy is extremely important for those with ADHD to get the support and accommodations they need to thrive. Unfortunately, the widespread skepticism that still exists around this very real neurodevelopmental disorder, makes it an uphill climb for many. So what is the antidote to this dilemma? Empathy, more widespread education about neurodiversity, and curiosity instead of skepticism about things we may not know much about. 

The statistics speak for themselves.

ADHD has been and continues to be, a dramatically under-diagnosed lifelong disorder [i]. Recent studies indicate that less than 20% of adults with ADHD are currently diagnosed and/or treated [ii]. The reality is that ADHD hasn’t suddenly increased in numbers, we just have more neurodivergent-informed healthcare providers out there that are identifying what was previously missed.

In other words, the risks of not taking ADHD seriously impact us all. 

The road to true acceptance of ADHD in our society feels like a long and bumpy one. The GOOD NEWS IS the more we can accept this neurodevelopmental disorder as something worth believing, and supporting our loved ones, the faster we’ll get to a more hopeful destination.

TL;DR: “ADHD: More Than a Buzzword”

The article addresses common misconceptions about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), emphasizing that it is a genuine, often under-diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorder rather than a fleeting trend. The author, Sheena Scott, highlights that less than 20% of adults with ADHD are currently diagnosed or treated, underscoring the importance of accurate diagnosis and understanding. The piece also discusses the challenges individuals face when disclosing their diagnosis, including skepticism from others, and advocates for increased awareness and support for those affected.

References