Recent studies link genetic factors with ADHD. The phrasing of such explanations creates the impression that ADHD is a “thing” that you either “have” or don't have. This inevitably leads to endless debate about whether it's a “real thing” and whether a particular individual really “has” the condition or not.
The increased performance demands of modern societies have almost certainly contributed to the increased likelihood of acquiring a diagnosis of ADHD.
Its popularity and a flood of new content posted during the pandemic has caused an undeniable spike in ADHD awareness, particularly among adolescents and young adults. At best, ADHD TikTok destigmatizes mental disorders, fosters community, and makes life-changing research accessible to a new demographic.
"Diagnoses of adult ADHD are running rampant now," comments Professor Joanna Moncrieff (UCL Psychiatry) who is concerned that screening tools are too relaxed and highlights that many simply diagnose themselves after seeing others with the condition.
While diagnosis of ADHD in adults and children is on the rise, it is far from 'everyone. ' The CDC says 9.4 percent of American children have — at one point or another — received a diagnosis of ADHD. For adults, that portion is about 4.4 percent, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
Findings. In this systematic scoping review of 334 published studies in children and adolescents, convincing evidence was found that ADHD is overdiagnosed in children and adolescents. For individuals with milder symptoms in particular, the harms associated with an ADHD diagnosis may often outweigh the benefits.
Anecdotally, Dr. Gold says she's seen an uptick in people who think they have adult ADHD because TikTok told them so. “I think that ADHD and trauma are the most prevalent [mental health] conversations on TikTok that have made people think about their diagnoses or their symptoms,” Dr. Gold explains.
“Nobody has perfect memory… but for [people with ADHD], it's extreme. They feel like they're lost all the time,” Almagor said. He believes this is why people don't take ADHD seriously. “I think that's why some people don't respect the severity of what [a person with ADHD] can experience,” he said.
Autism is very distinct from ADHD, but the core symptoms of ADHD-Combined type, i.e., attention deficit, impulsivity, and hyperactivity, would appear to also be features of autism. ASD and ADHD are neurobiological disorders characterized by similar underlying neuropsychological “deficits”.
ADHD diagnoses have been rising for decades, and some data suggest there's been an additional increase since the pandemic began. A recent analysis from the health records company Epic found that 0.6% of the millions of U.S. patients in its database were diagnosed with ADHD in 2022, compared to about 0.4% in 2019.
Differences in the quality and fluency of speech are also often seen in people with ADHD. In some cases, this disorder has been detected and diagnosed as a result of these differences. As an individual with ADHD works to organize their thoughts when talking, using more filler words or repeating sounds/words is common.
When a person has ADHD, it is common for her to engage in negative “self-talk,” a constant stream of thinking that is self-critical. This can lead to or aggravate depression, anxiety, or feelings of hopelessness. Learning coping strategies like self-compassion can help to more effectively manage thoughts and emotions.
You can have ADHD and not seem hyper. They can have successful relationships. There's a reason behind their temper.
Many children (perhaps as many as half) will outgrow their symptoms but others do not, so ADHD can affect a person into adulthood.
Genetics. ADHD tends to run in families and, in most cases, it's thought the genes you inherit from your parents are a significant factor in developing the condition. Research shows that parents and siblings of someone with ADHD are more likely to have ADHD themselves.
The mind of a person with ADHD is full of the minutiae of life (“Where are my keys?” “Where did I park the car?”), so there is little room left for new thoughts and memories. Something has to be discarded or forgotten to make room for new information. Often the information individuals with ADHD need is in their memory…
The symptoms include an inability to focus, being easily distracted, hyperactivity, poor organization skills, and impulsiveness. Not everyone who has ADHD has all these symptoms. They vary from person to person and tend to change with age.
Children with ADHD are less well-liked than their neurotypical peers [18] and are more likely to be bullied during their school years [19].
ADHD can make you forgetful and distracted. You're also likely to have trouble with time management because of your problems with focus. All of these symptoms can lead to missed due dates for work, school, and personal projects.
A lack of self-acceptance. Prohibitively expensive medications. Here, commiserate with fellow ADDitude readers as they share some of their biggest challenges of managing life with ADHD or ADD. > Creating rituals to keep track of things.
Kids with ADHD often feel emotions more deeply than other kids do, and love is no exception. When teens with ADHD fall in love, the good — and bad — feelings that come with it can be even more intense and more disruptive. New relationships or crushes are exciting and (mostly) enjoyable.
Some triggers may be directly related to general health or lifestyle factors. What you eat, how much sleep you receive, the time spend sitting, and the amount of caffeine you drink matters. Although far from conclusive, there's some evidence that a poor diet impacts the symptoms of people with ADHD, too.
ADHD has been the subject of considerable controversy. Its prevalence and the culturally determined nature of the diagnosis have led many people to suggest that ADHD is not a disorder or deficiency but simply a difference in personality.
Doctors more commonly diagnose ADHD in male children than female children. The CDC reports that doctors diagnosed around 13% of boys with DHD in 2016–2019, whereas only 6% of girls received the same diagnosis. This has led many people to mistakenly believe that ADHD is a “boys' disorder” that rarely occurs in girls.