ADHD is NOT a Superpower. It’s a Disorder

“Coach, my boss has me on a performance evaluation program. He says I have one month to show radical improvement or I will be fired.”

“Coach, I am under academic suspension for failing my classes. I want my degree, but as hard as I try, I can’t seem to perform.”

“Coach, I can’t seem to hold down a job for longer than 6-12 months.”

“Coach, my wife says that I need to show real progress with coaching or our relationship is over.”

Saying that ADHD has incredible potential for excellence undermines the real struggles that people have just getting through a day, or even getting through a moment. The absolute truth is in the science-backed evidence. 

Despite ADHD only being represented in 8-11% of children, only a fraction of those cases are labeled as a “severe impairment”. There is an even lower prevalence of ADHD diagnosed in adults (6%, CHADD, 2023). However, ADHD has overwhelming representation in underemployed people (17% less income, CHADD, 2021), unemployed, substance abusers (10x increased risk, WebMD), the incarcerated (20-40% of inmates, ADDA, 2015), and early death statistics (Twofold risk of premature death, NIH, 2022). 

Many, after struggling with anxiety and believing they were worthless for such a long time, equate being given a diagnosis as The Gift. It has allowed them to reframe their entire life and look back to see they were struggling with an undiagnosed disorder all along, and still achieved things such as finishing a degree or building a business. Those things were hard, still are hard, and they’d be less hard if they didn’t have ADHD.

No research concludes that ADHD is the driver of intelligence over the neurotypical population. Intelligence coexisting with the presence of ADHD is a correlation and does not equal causation. There are plenty of people with ADHD who are of low/average intelligence and have learned skills to mitigate the downsides of ADHD. They live happy lives on life’s terms, accounting for their deficits. Some of them are hugely successful, but it is not because of their diagnosis of ADHD. It’s because they have learned effective ways to leverage their strengths and address the challenges that ADHD can bring.

So why do people want to say that ADHD is some sort of gift or superpower? People crave heroic models, of course. Good news studies can help meet the needs of vulnerable individuals and parents. The message is intended to de-stigmatize the condition and inspire hope. 

So why can’t we just let people think that ADHD is a gift? Because it undermines the lived reality of those struggling with it. It’s a slap in the face to those who aren’t just crushing it every day but are struggling to grind every day. ADHD is not a gift and it’s not a curse. It’s a disorder that requires understanding, consideration of treatment options, support, and realistic conversations. 

The gifted argument leaves behind the people who don’t have amazing talents, for whom every day is a struggle. It minimizes the importance of getting the support you need to address the challenges and impact it can have in life. By all means, let us celebrate, encourage, and support the talents of individuals. But let us not romanticize them as arising from a serious neurodevelopmental disorder such as ADHD. This does a great disservice to the many others with the disorder who struggle daily to cope with and compensate for its significant adverse impact on their lives. Their stories demonstrate the importance of the ADHD diagnosis for framing past struggles and guiding future choices. 

The good news, according to Russell Barkley – Most of the ADHD-related factors impacting life expectancy — impulsivity, risky behavior, and inattention, to name a few — are changeable. Behavioral programs designed to improve overall health will improve life expectancy as well, but only if ADHD symptoms are under control first, Barkley says. And that requires more accurate diagnosis and more thoughtful treatment. 

Dr. Barkley says ADHD is a rollercoaster, and with each dip, there is hope for extraordinary success, like that experienced by Michael Phelps, David Neeleman, or Adam Levine. Many people with ADHD can lead productive, effective, happy, and successful lives and are capable of tremendous things with a little support and positive reinforcement. 

Are you tired of ADHD getting in your way? Are you ready to realize your full potential? Then, schedule a free session with me or any of our great coaches at The Center for Living Well with ADHD. Let’s stop the spin and start the work.