“Oh, you have ADHD? Doesn’t that just mean you can’t sit still or focus? You can EASILY fix this yourself, right? Just pop a multivitamin, l-tyrosine and some magnesium, you’ll be aiight.”
Wrong! ADHD is SO much more than the inability to stay focused. It’s a nightmare personified that causes you to lose motivation and interest in everyday life when left untreated and at its worst. Imagine drowning in a few inches of water and all you have to do is stand up, but you CAN’T! It feels as if everyone around you is living their lives in real time, while you’re stuck on autopilot walking in circles.
Talk about infuriating. This is because people like me who have ADHD are dopamine deficient. This can lead to reckless behaviors such as, chasing quick fixes, or “dopamine boosts” such as raiding the fridge for junk food, doom scrolling or driving recklessly.
“You’re 32 years old. How can you have ADHD? Only children have ADHD.”
Wrong again! Research shows that adults are also greatly affected by ADHD and that it has no age restrictions.
In today’s fast-paced world, mental health is an essential aspect of overall well-being that often goes unnoticed or unspoken. This is especially true for the underdogs with ADHD who are swept under the rug every damn day. This is likely because some people seem to still be stuck in the 1930’s and think that ADHD isn’t a legit medical condition despite numerous research studies. But, f*ck science, right? Just stick to lobotomies, that’ll cure our mental illnesses!
Don’t get me wrong, modern society has made significant progress in recognizing and discussing many mental health issues, including adult ADHD. But let’s be real: the stigma and misconceptions often paint ADHD as an “excuse for laziness or irresponsibility” which continues to prevent many individuals from seeking help and receiving the possible life-changing treatment they need.
This can lead to a poor quality of life for those of us with ADHD. We deserve to thrive and be happy just like anyone else without having to jump through a bunch of hoops to get proper treatment. ADHD is not a sign of weakness or a lack of intelligence. Recognizing that ADHD is a legitimate medical condition rather than a personality flaw can help annihilate harmful stereotypes!
That is why I’ve created this article to help demolish the stigma surrounding ADHD. Did I mention that I’ve edited this article approximately 15 times over the last month? Because you know, ADHD and perfectionism can go hand-in-hand in some cases! Send help. I am exhausted.
What is ADHD, really?
- ADHD stands for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.
- There are 3 types: Inattentive, Hyperactive-Impulsive, and Combined Type.
- Dopamine and serotonin deficiencies affect motivation and focus.
- It affects organization, impulse control, and emotional regulation.
- Having ADHD doesn’t mean you are dumb or lazy.
- It affects both kids and adults.
- Common challenges: procrastination, forgetfulness, mood swings, and hyperfocus.
- No two ADHD cases are exactly alike.
- With the right support, we can thrive and excel — often with proper medication, healthy diet, and good habits.
Symptoms of ADHD in Adults
- Trouble with motivation and task completion
- Poor time management
- Difficulty maintaining steady employment in some cases
- Intense fear of rejection and criticism or Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)
- Very exhausting inner dialogue at all times that we can’t seem to turn off
- Brain fog and extreme fatigue
- Procrastination and “ADHD paralysis”
- Emotional dysregulation, anxiety, depression
- Memory issues and low self-esteem
- Substance use due to untreated symptoms
The Impact of Stigma
Stigma remains one of the biggest barriers to access ADHD and mental health care. Judgment and misinformation prevent many from getting support. People often suffer in silence, leading to feelings of isolation, anxiety, and self-doubt.
For those of you who still don’t believe ADHD is a real medical condition: This is dangerous and causes harm to many regular people such as myself who are just trying to live their best lives. Untreated ADHD has been linked to higher accident risk and early mortality.
One of the most harmful stigmas: Profiling ADHD patients as drug seekers
It is exhausting and demeaning to be hassled by some pharmacists and physicians who think that everyone who takes a stimulant based medication is some sort of deranged addict. Just because a small number of people abuse the system doesn’t mean those of us who genuinely need medication should suffer for it.
Proper medication helps reduce substance misuse — the very thing the system wrongly fears we’re doing. Believe it or not, those of us who genuinely do have ADHD don’t take our medication as a study or party drug. We take it to establish some sort of internal normalcy so that we can live a decent quality life each day.
Why Traditional Advice Fails Us
“Just use a planner,” “Stick to a routine,” “Take vitamins.” These are laughable suggestions for a complex medical condition. If it were that easy, we’d be doing it and it would be curing our symptoms. Hell, I know if I could wake up each day and supplement with a multivitamin and feel like I could function, I would do it in a heartbeat. A big part of me despises that I have to depend on any sort of outside source to function like a semi-normal human being. ADHD brains lack the chemical fuel to stay consistent with these habits.
The Lucky Few
Some people manage their ADHD with lifestyle changes alone. But others, like me, need medication — and there’s no shame in that. Taking meds doesn’t make you weak or lazy. It just gives you the solid foundation to do the rest of the hard work you encounter on a daily basis. I look at it as a tool in my toolbox. Not the complete solution, but a very dependable tool to utilize to make the best out of each day.
Simple Ways to Break the Stigma:
- Educate yourself and others about ADHD
- Get facts before judging/no one likes a judgmental a-hole
- Normalize conversations around ADHD and treatment
- Support those who require medication — even if it’s controlled substance
How to Support ADHD & Mental Health Awareness
- Encourage open, honest conversations — Invisible wounds are real too.
- Be less judgmental, more compassionate — Everyone has their battles.
- Educate and listen — Learn the signs and symptoms.
- Be there unconditionally — Sometimes that’s all we need.
- Encourage professional help — No shame in seeking care.
Moving Forward
ADHD brings challenges, but also unique strengths — creativity, resilience, out-of-the-box thinking. Let’s shift focus from our deficits to our strengths and value the contributions of people like us with ADHD.
What the hell are they putting in ADHD medication these days? They seriously feel like sugar pills 9 times out of 10.
Sidenote: I’m gathering survey data on the inconsistent quality of Adderall generics since the apparent, “shortage” starting October 2022.. If you or someone you love is being affected, please take a few minutes to share your voice and spread the word! We deserve consistently effective medication to treat our disability!