Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most commonly diagnosed childhood neurodevelopmental disorders. But it doesn't exclusively affect children; it's also found in around 2.5% of adults worldwide. Those affected are 1.5 times more likely to experience other disorders, including anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Despite its prevalence and severity, ADHD is still shrouded in a veil of misunderstandings.
ADHD is typically characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and other symptoms. These signs are frequently conflated as character traits and dismissed as a lack of discipline, cultivating stigma against the disorder. Furthermore, weak social support, the tendency to downplay the condition's effects, and inadequate access to treatment have only raised barriers for those afflicted in getting help.
Dr. Zoe Martinez, regional medical director of Done., a health platform that offers remote and in-person ADHD treatment management, described two likely contributing factors fuelling stigmatization against adults with ADHD.
"The first component is that there was a long-held belief—even among psychiatrists—that ADHD is a disorder of childhood and adolescence that individuals 'outgrow,'" said Martinez in an email to Science Times. "We now know that, although the hyperactivity and impulsivity seen in children and adolescents are symptoms which may be absent or much less severe in adults, the inattentive symptoms often persist. The second component is that the medications that are typically most effective in treating ADHD in adults are frequently stimulants. As stimulants are highly regulated controlled substances, there is a stigma against prescribing and taking these medications."
Because they can cause people to underperform in traditional school and work settings, ADHD symptoms can overshadow a person's unique talents. In some cases, ADHD can even lurk in high-performing people.
Such was the case for J.T. Thomas III. As a former NFL linebacker who has played for the Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, and the New York Giants, Thomas said he felt "discombobulated off the field" in an interview with Insider. It wasn't until he was 24 years old that he was diagnosed with ADHD, but once he did, he began to control and manage the disorder.
To manage his ADHD, Thomas signed up for Done., one of many digital platforms that offers ADHD treatment management. As a branch of telehealth that emerged during the pandemic, these platforms all offer some level of online remote access to healthcare professionals.
Telehealth has provided a convenient avenue for marginalized and remote communities to access ADHD treatment. Thomas shared with Insider that while he was growing up in a predominantly black neighborhood, he never even considered therapy as an option.
Recent studies have challenged the notion that ADHD is less prevalent among black communities. The American Psychiatric Association further noted that "the intersection of race, low socioeconomic status, racial marginalization, and discrimination, including racist microaggressions, may exacerbate the symptoms of ADHD."
"In general, individuals of color suffer from decreased access to care and medication across all diagnoses," described Martinez. "This is not specific to ADHD, nor even to mental health care. Individuals of color also often have less access to physical health care and medications for physical health problems."
Moreover, seeing the right professionals is crucial for an accurate ADHD diagnosis. According to Martinez, ADHD isn't difficult to diagnose when a trained mental health clinician conducts a thorough diagnostic interview. She emphasized that these assessments should be conducted by a trained mental health clinician, a task that a primary care provider may not be equipped to perform.
While telehealth has expanded access to medical care, it has faced its fair share of scrutiny. For ADHD specifically, experts have raised concerns about the rising online prescription of Adderall, a stimulant commonly used for treating ADHD. In the three years since the pandemic, the increased demand combined with a constrained supply contributed to an Adderall drought that still persists today. And although it's easier to check in with a medical professional remotely, some have reported inconsistent quality of care.
Alongside receiving professional support, Martinez highlighted several tips that could help patients manage their ADHD symptoms, such as leaning on trusted friends and family, maintaining a healthy diet, exercising, and celebrating achievements.
