Is ADHD a condition, a disorder, an illness, a neurodivergence, a superpower? Each person with ADHD with whom I talked chose a different word depending on the severity of their symptoms, how it affects their executive functioning and whether they have access to coaching, medicine or a supportive family, and school or work.
From neurodivergentcoach on Instagram: It’s not an illness. It forms part of the natural neurodiversity of the human race. Implying otherwise does a great disservice to the thousands of people with ADHD.
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Anne H from the bay: I don’t call myself neurodivergent because frankly I think it’s a meaningless term; all of our brains are different. But I do know my ADHD causes me distress and requires treatment. Whether that means it’s a chronic “condition” or “illness” I don’t care. … I get treatment for my ADHD because without it, I am not able to do the things I want to do.
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I am Sascha: I do see that my brain is different, and some things have made it a lot harder to be mentally healthy, but it’s also given me huge advantages. I do not think of it as an illness so much as something that can make me prone to illness if I am not careful.