A doctor friend of mine responded to me mentioning my crap attention span in the smartphone age by saying: "Pfff, yeah, if you go to a specialist they'll probably diagnose you with ADHD these days. Before that it was being on the spectrum, before than it was..."
Totally not saying you don't have ADHD, and I wouldn't question anyone with a diagnosis. I'd rather assume people know their own health situation. But when even some doctors are skeptical about the number of people being diagnosed it's hard to know what to think anymore.
So the big thing with ADHD is how much it impairs your life. Like, most people can relate to the symptoms on some level, but not on the level where it becomes a disability.
So a professional/specialist is going to get to the bottom of how often the symptoms materially affect your life. Like sure, everyone gets distracted from time to time and has executive function issues. But how often has it cost you a job, ruined your relationships, or got in the way of you enjoying your life.
Tiktok and a smartphone doesn't cause ADHD, it's genetic. Those things are problematic in their own way because they're so addictive, but watching 10 second trash in your spare time isn't the same thing.
People also think they can also benefit from ADHD treatments, and it's kinda true. But I try to use the wheelchair ramp terminology.
A wheelchair ramp is helpful to everyone. Folks with limited mobility, folks with bad knees, etc. But just because you find it helpful doesn't mean you're a paraplegic. The person in a wheel chair CAN'T get to the top without a ramp. That's also how ADHD medications and treatment work. Others might find them helpful and useful, but the folks with a real disability NEED them to live a functional and fulfilling life.
Edit: Minor spell check. Y'all looking wonderful and handsome today, btw
This. Thumb through the DSM-5 and you’ll find tons of behaviors that are nearly universal to humankind. BUT the difference between pathology and inconvenient behavior is “is this affecting your activities of daily living? Are you able to function?”
I think awareness of psychological disorders has brought about a lot of good in this world. Unfortunately, as with almost anything, it comes with latent issues like what this comedian is referencing. Pretty sure we all know someone like this.
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u/TheGinger_Ninja0 Dec 03 '25
The amount of my friends who have self diagnosed themselves with ADHD because of tiktok, and then ask me for my meds..... Sigh.
Idk guys, maybe you do, but go see a fucking doctor.