Read on Twitter
There's a few videos making their way around TikTok claiming that ADHD isn't real, or at least that it's a positive trait (i.e. "superpower"), and I have thoughts.
First of all, ADHD is real ( https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2002-13199-008) and adult ADHD is real ( https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-244X-10-67#:~:text=The%20objectives%20of%20this%20consensus,adults%20are%20available%3B%20(3)) (1/11)
First of all, ADHD is real ( https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2002-13199-008) and adult ADHD is real ( https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-244X-10-67#:~:text=The%20objectives%20of%20this%20consensus,adults%20are%20available%3B%20(3)) (1/11)
The idea that ADHD is a superpower or only ever a positive trait is a nice fantasy, but it isn't the lived reality of most people with ADHD.
ADHD has aspects that can be good in specific contexts. There are aspects that can be helpful for creative workers, etc. (2/11)
ADHD has aspects that can be good in specific contexts. There are aspects that can be helpful for creative workers, etc. (2/11)
But those positive aspects of ADHD come with serious downsides too. To paraphrase a saying from within autistic communities:
It's hard to see where neurodivergent conditions end and trauma begins, because growing up neurodivergent is traumatic. (3/11)
It's hard to see where neurodivergent conditions end and trauma begins, because growing up neurodivergent is traumatic. (3/11)
This certainly applies to autism, and it applies to ADHD as well.
Growing up with ADHD is hard for a lot of people, and leaves lasting scars on how we understand and interact with the world. (4/11)
Growing up with ADHD is hard for a lot of people, and leaves lasting scars on how we understand and interact with the world. (4/11)
I've talked about all this before, so this time I want to focus on a slightly different aspect of this narrative: who keeps saying it.
My partner and I have a running joke that when I get a "but ADHD is a superpower" comment, that it is one very specific type of person. (5/11)
My partner and I have a running joke that when I get a "but ADHD is a superpower" comment, that it is one very specific type of person. (5/11)
This narrative that ADHD is a superpower is primarily pushed by people who have a considerable amount of privilege.
These people often work in industries that select for neurodivergent traits (such as tech, or med), and make a fair amount of money. (6/11)
These people often work in industries that select for neurodivergent traits (such as tech, or med), and make a fair amount of money. (6/11)
These people often have societal privileges that gives them more latitude for making mistakes, not understanding social norms, or going against the grain of society.
When you have the privilege to support the negatives of ADHD, of course ADHD feels like a superpower. (7/11)
When you have the privilege to support the negatives of ADHD, of course ADHD feels like a superpower. (7/11)
"ADHD is a superpower" also feels like a welcome relief to people who have been told that they're the problem their entire life.
It's a balm for the trauma, but a temporary one. The trauma's still there, and the negatives don't disappear for focusing on the positives. (8/11)
It's a balm for the trauma, but a temporary one. The trauma's still there, and the negatives don't disappear for focusing on the positives. (8/11)
My critical psychology brain understands that there is value in resisting the narrative that ADHD is a disorder.
Normalizing the rainbow of human experiences is important, or even necessary, but denying the trauma and struggles of ADHD'ers doesn't build the supports we need (9)
Normalizing the rainbow of human experiences is important, or even necessary, but denying the trauma and struggles of ADHD'ers doesn't build the supports we need (9)
Rather than seeing ADHD as a superpower that needs to be harnessed on the individual level, let's focus on building a society that supports us instead. (10/11)
Lets tear down the stigma around ADHD. Lets normalize accommodations & supports. Lets give everyone the privileges enjoyed by the few.
This is how we honour our struggles & our traumas, & this is how we prevent it from happening again to the next generation of ADHD'ers (11/11)
This is how we honour our struggles & our traumas, & this is how we prevent it from happening again to the next generation of ADHD'ers (11/11)
Looking for the unrolled thread?
Here's the link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lJNYr6p8ECJTk-YmAwNLfQ-rtFYUh6MKabImmHA7D6E/edit?usp=sharing
Here's the link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lJNYr6p8ECJTk-YmAwNLfQ-rtFYUh6MKabImmHA7D6E/edit?usp=sharing
