Is ADHD real?

Running into someone who has been diagnosed with ADHD these days is so common it is understandable that people might question whether their ADHD diagnosis is valid. Some worry that we have turned having high energy as a child into a disorder. Some others assume that parents turn to medication for their kids because they don’t have the parenting skills to handle them.

en I worked at a summer camp I doubted the ADHD diagnosis for many of the kids in my cabin. They just seemed like boys with a little more get up and go.
Currently between 5-9% of children are believed to meet the criteria for ADHD, and about half that for adults. It’s not surprising people have wondered if that many people could have a disorder.

One theory is that it is over diagnosed, that we are labelling healthy young kids. Other theories suppose that we are just recognizing it better now. Some recent discussions, including comments from public figures, have suggested a possible link between Tylenol use during pregnancy and ADHD, though this remains unproven and under study.

With all these factors, it can make people doubt they have ADHD or wonder is ADHD real. They might see it as an excuse for their own mistakes and failings. They don’t like the idea that they might have a deficit that they cannot overcome through planning and effort.

Major psychological institutions like the American Psychiatric Association, the Canadian Psychological Association and the United Kingdom’s National Health Service each recognize ADHD as a valid disorder.

ADHD runs in families.

If a parent has ADHD, then there is about a 50 percent chance their child will also have ADHD. Even in situations where twins are separated, if one is ADHD it is likely the other will as well.

Brain Scans

Some of the strongest evidence for the validity of ADHD is the difference that shows up in brain scans. People with ADHD have smaller brain volume in the areas of the brain that are involved in regulating emotion, motivation, and reward. These differences are bigger in children and level out in adulthood. This mirrors what we often see in children with ADHD –they need a couple more years to catch up to their peers.

People with ADHD often have different brain activity patterns, especially in areas that control focus and stop distractions. One example is the default mode network, which is like the brain’s “idle mode.” In ADHD, this network doesn’t turn off as well during tasks, which can lead to daydreaming or mind-wandering.
On a chemical level, ADHD is linked to differences in neurotransmitters—the brain’s messenger chemicals. Two important ones are dopamine and norepinephrine, which affect attention, motivation, and reward. Research shows that ADHD makes it harder to stay motivated and control impulses because of how the brain handles dopamine.

Medications help

Medicines called stimulants (like methylphenidate or amphetamines) are often used to treat ADHD. They work by increasing the levels of two brain chemicals: dopamine and norepinephrine. These chemicals help brain cells send signals to each other more effectively, which improves focus and self-control. The fact that ADHD symptoms usually get much better with these medicines is strong evidence that ADHD has a biological cause. When the chemical imbalance in the brain is corrected, you can actually see changes in both brain activity and behavior.

It might be the case that ADHD is overdiagnosed. This doesn’t take away from the reality that many people really do have ADHD.
If ADHD were just an “excuse,” ignoring it wouldn’t cause serious problems. But the truth is, untreated ADHD can have major negative effects on a person’s life and health, while proper treatment can make a huge difference. This shows that ADHD is a real medical condition that needs proper care—just like diabetes or asthma—because the risks go up if it’s not managed.

Life Expectancy

One shocking fact from long-term studies: adults with untreated ADHD live, on average, about 13 years less than people without ADHD. Yes, more than a decade of life lost. Researchers discovered this by tracking thousands of people over many years. They found that untreated ADHD is linked to higher chances of accidents, substance abuse, and health problems, all of which can shorten life.

On the other hand, treating ADHD really works. In the same studies, people with ADHD who got the right treatment—whether medicine, therapy, or both—had much better results. The differences in health risks and life expectancy got a lot smaller for those who received help compared to those who didn’t.
Kids with ADHD who don’t get help often struggle in school—not because they aren’t smart, but because it’s harder for them to focus, stay organized, and control impulses. Over time, this can lead to falling behind, low confidence, and a higher chance of dropping out.

So is ADHD real?

It can be tempting to some to downplay the reality of ADHD in their life. They worry that if they come to believe they have a condition that has caused problems in their life they are letting themselves off the hook. Many living with ADHD are labeled by parents and teachers as lazy, distracted, undisciplined and uncaring. These thoughts get internalized and become how people think about themselves. Recognizing that things were that much harder casts all those thoughts and assumptions in a new light.

Recognizing ADHD isn’t just about attention, or getting your work done. It involves real deficits, just like a physical disability or a hearing loss is a deficit. Understanding ADHD and how people manage it gives people the tools to succeed despite these deficits. It isn’t an excuse, it is an opportunity to find better ways to thrive.

Sources

ADHD FAQ – AAFP
Is ADHD Real or Just an Excuse? Debunking Myths with Science
“Psychology Works” Fact Sheet: Attention Deficit … – CPA
Debunking ADHD myths: it’s not just laziness
ADHD Marked By Structural Differences in Brain
Untreated ADHD’s Impact on Life Expectancy and Health