There has been a surge In recent years, there have been more adults receiving ADHD diagnoses, so it’s understandable if you're beginning to think that everybody you know seems to have developed this condition.
Dr. Ryan Sultan A psychiatrist from New York-Presbyterian Hospital highlighted several factors contributing to this rise. Primarily, there’s greater acknowledgment and understanding of the signs associated with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This includes recognizing cases where individuals do not conform to the typical image of a child struggling to remain seated during class. It is now understood that ADHD can manifest in various ways. women and girls Additionally, it’s not something everyone grows out of as they get older. Many adults also grapple with these symptoms; greater awareness has led to some finally receiving help for issues they’ve dealt with throughout their lives.
Moreover, Sultan informed Pawonation.com that "the rapid pace and multi-tasking demands of modern life, coupled with the relentless stream of information and technological distractions," might "worsen pre-existing ADHD symptoms or make them more noticeable than they would have been previously."
Regardless of whether individuals are only recently exhibiting signs of ADHD due to modern societal norms or merely recognizing that previous challenges might have been linked to ADHD, it's accurate to say that increasing numbers of people are pursuing formal diagnoses—and subsequent treatments.
Andrew Kahn A psychologist and associate director at Understood.org informed Pawonation.com that they conducted an extensive amount of ADHD assessments for adults throughout the pandemic. They feel that conversations about the subject on social media prompted numerous individuals to consider whether these conditions might apply to them, asking themselves, "Could this be what’s happening with me?"
It's crucial not to presume that a large number of diagnoses implies they are inaccurate ones.
"While the rising number of ADHD diagnoses may spark worries about overidentification, it's crucial to acknowledge that numerous individuals receiving these diagnoses genuinely require assistance. The pressures of contemporary living can propel those with near-threshold or slight symptoms into experiencing substantial functional difficulties," explained Sultan.
It's guaranteed that within your circle of family, friends, or colleagues, there is at least one person dealing with ADHD—regardless of whether they've openly shared their condition with you. In discussions with Sultan, Khan, and additional advocates, we explored statements best left unsaid for those managing ADHD as well as common misunderstandings surrounding the disorder.
1. 'ADHD is an issue that only children experience.'
"Traditionally, ADHD was viewed as a condition predominantly affecting children, one they were believed to 'outgrow,'" explained Sultan. "However, we currently recognize that it can continue into adulthood." This persistence poses difficulties for individuals in educational settings, professional environments, and personal relationships. In fact, some partners have discovered that unaddressed ADHD significantly contributed to conflicts within their marriages.
2. 'You're far too intelligent to have ADHD.'
It's accurate that certain individuals (though not everyone) with ADHD face academic challenges; however, these difficulties stem from issues related to executive function rather than intellect. As Sultan explained, executive functions encompass tasks such as planning, prioritizing, managing time, and controlling emotions.
Despite requiring significant effort—at times, an immense amount—individuals with ADHD can overcome their executive function difficulties and achieve excellent academic performance as well as gain acceptance into prestigious universities. However, this does not imply that the journey was effortless.
This statement dismisses the lifelong battle that an individual with ADHD must endure to attain any such accomplishments. Jesse J. Anderson , creator of the Extra Focus newsletter And as someone who advocates for ADHD awareness, shared with Pawonation.com, "Being diagnosed with ADHD doesn't mean you can't tackle significant challenges in your life. It simply indicates that these endeavors were probably far more challenging and many of the obstacles faced were not visibly apparent."
It’s worth repeating that there isn’t a correlation between ADHD and intelligence.
People with ADHD possess comparable intelligence levels as those without," Kahn stated. "No evidence suggests this condition is linked to a lower IQ.
3. 'This is just an excuse for laziness.'
Dealing with ADHD might make completing tasks challenging, yet this does not always indicate a deficiency in capability or drive.
"Saying that someone with ADHD islazy' is both harmful and incorrect," Sultan stated.
Kahn explained that what seems like laziness could instead indicate an individual "struggling to deal with challenging circumstances." Thus, withdrawal may mistakenly be seen as laziness when it could really signify immobilization. According to Kahn, this sense of immobilization involves feeling trapped, which observers might interpret incorrectly as disobedience or insufficient exertion.
Labeling the challenges associated with ADHD as a moral deficiency, implying it's a deliberate decision, "is what these terms do," Anderson stated. desperately eager to do the right thing, yet encountering an obstacle that makes it seem almost insurmountable to take action."
4. 'Why can’t you simply concentrate?'
For individuals with ADHD, struggling to concentrate does not indicate a lack of wish to focus.
"This remark suggests that concentration merely depends on one’s determination, ignoring the neurological hurdles faced by people with ADHD. This could cause the individual to experience feelings of judgment, frustration, and miscomprehension, as though their difficulties stem from insufficient exertion," according to Sultan.
5. 'In my view, you appear to be doing well.'
Considering that the typical image associated with ADHD is often a very active young boy, many individuals—such as adults and girls—do not conform to this archetype.
"Symptoms of ADHD might not be obvious all the time. A lot of individuals with ADHD could hide their symptoms or handle them effectively sometimes, yet this does not imply they do not face challenges," stated Sultan.
6. 'It's really no major issue.'
"Suggesting that ADHD isn't really serious" may come across as hurtful and offensive. Dani Donovan , author of The Anti-Planner: How to Accomplish Things Even When You're Not Feeling Motivated, told Pawonation.com.
Living with ADHD can lead to significant stress for both children and adults. Anderson shared his perspective, stating, "Imagine always feeling unprepared during a quiz even though you haven't studied at all; each day feels like yet another disappointment without understanding the reason behind it. Others may not realize that you're merely trying to meet their expectations when your mind functions differently from those around you."
7. ‘You’re overreacting.’
Nobody enjoys hearing this when they're feeling upset. Moreover, Sultan noted that "difficulty managing emotions is a frequent symptom of ADHD."
“Dismissing someone’s emotional response can make them feel invalidated and ignored,” he said, adding that it can also “increase frustration and make them feel like their experiences don’t matter.”
8. ‘You don’t seem to have any problem focusing on video games/TV/your phone.’
Given that ADHD stands for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, you’d be forgiven for assuming that it means someone has a deficiency of attention. But the reality is more complicated.
“People with ADHD don’t actually have a deficit of attention,” Anderson said. “We have an abundance of attention, but it is dysregulated attention, which means it can be difficult to aim. Sometimes we even hyperfocus on things, a type of directed attention that’s so intense that we don’t notice other things around us, things like people calling our name, the passing of time, or that we haven’t had anything to eat or drink for hours.”
9. ‘You’re trying to be difficult.’
People who have ADHD aren’t behaving the way they do in order to bother you — their brains simply work differently. Donovan explained that people with ADHD are not trying to make you mad or interrupt you on purpose. A little patience and understanding, plus not taking things personally, can go a long way in your interactions with folks who have ADHD (and, really, everybody else).
10. 'No, you're meant to do it.' this way.’
While ADHD presents various difficulties, it frequently offers the benefit of approaching problems from unconventional angles. Individuals with ADHD sometimes regard this unorthodox way of thinking as a powerful asset.
Anderson stated, "Even though there might be an approach that many would deem 'common sense,' it usually doesn’t align well with how the ADHD mind functions. Instead of criticizing the technique, focus on the outcomes. This distinct way of thinking enables individuals with ADHD to excel at discovering unconventional (and frequently superior) methods for tackling issues."
11. 'Each person has a bit of ADHD.'
Even though it's correct that each of us exhibits behaviors that could be indicative of ADHD — such as “ tossing ” or an unexpected laundry habit —the level of intensity and duration varies for individuals with an ADHD diagnosis.
We each encounter these human experiences in different intensities," Kahn stated. "The point at which they persist for extended periods and hinder our ability to perform tasks we believe we ought to manage becomes the crucial distinction.
12. 'Have you considered utilizing a task list or planner?'
Managing organization can pose difficulties for many individuals, yet those with ADHD face an even more profound struggle.
"Suggesting that it's an easy solution ignores the challenges related to executive function that numerous individuals with ADHD encounter," Sultan stated.
Anderson remembered that something similar had occurred with him earlier.
When I initially discussed ADHD with my doctor, he waved me over to his desk as though he was about to reveal groundbreaking information that would transform my understanding of ADHD," he recounted. "However, all he did was display the Outlook calendar on his computer screen, acting as if the mere use of this application was an innovative idea that could solve all my ADHD-related issues.
I assure you that someone with ADHD has likely attempted nearly all the productivity strategies you might imagine," he went on. "We are aware of 'what' needs to be done; however, the challenge lies in our ability to execute those actions due to ADHD.
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