Not Everyone is ‘a little bit ADHD’

Not Everyone is ‘a little bit ADHD’ | ADHD Awareness Month

Expert Psychologist Dr Selina Tackles Misunderstanding of Growing Condition

October is ADHD Awareness Month. The 2024 theme is “Awareness is Key!” The goal for this month is to share reliable information and give resources to help people thrive with ADHD. 

As the NHS grapples with an overwhelming rise in ADHD and autism self-diagnosis. Dr Selina Warlow calls for an urgent shift in how we talk about ADHD. She is a leading psychologist specialising in neurodevelopmental conditions and the founder of The Nook Clinic.

An estimated 2 million Brits live with undiagnosed ADHD.

Dr Selina is issuing a bold statement against the growing trend of trivialising ADHD as self-diagnosis soars across the country. She warns against dismissing the condition as a “quirky” personality trait. Misunderstandings around the condition, she warns, risk dismissing the genuine struggles those affected face. She points to the rise of ADHD being portrayed as “quirky” or as entertainment. This is a harmful narrative.

ADHD is not a fleeting behaviour about being forgetful or fidgety. It is not a fun social media trend either. It is a serious neurodevelopmental disorder that deeply impacts people’s lives,” says Dr Selina. “The casual remarks like ‘Isn’t everyone a bit ADHD?’ belittle the real struggles individuals face in both personal and professional settings.”

Experts warn that mental health services can’t keep up.

The NHS is reportedly struggling to meet the rising demand for ADHD assessments. Since 1998, there has been a nine-fold increase in autism diagnoses, and ADHD diagnoses are rising sharply. Over 230,000 people in England now take ADHD medication.

Social media platforms like TikTok contribute to misconceptions.

Over half of popular ADHD videos contain misleading information. Despite these statistics, ADHD continues to be trivialised according to Dr Selina. Misleading content on platforms like TikTok contributes to this. On TikTok, 52% of the 100 most popular ADHD-related videos are inaccurate.

“The term ADHD is being thrown around as a quirk or personality trait,” Dr. Selina emphasises. “But for many, it’s a daily battle. Formal assessment and diagnosis are crucial. Providing tailored support is essential to help people thrive. Nearly 80% of those with ADHD in the UK stay undiagnosed.”

About 1 in 20 adults are thought to live with ADHD

Dr Selina calls for a national conversation grounded in facts rather than myths. “We need to move beyond casual self-diagnosis. It is important to offer people who are struggling with symptoms of ADHD access to assessments and support.”

Dr Selina’s expert advice comes at a crucial time.

The conversation around ADHD needs to shift from entertainment and myth to facts and support. She truly believes that we need to move beyond the stereotypes. We should support those living with the condition by recognising their strengths. It is important to offer the right care.

‘With the increasing difficulty in accessing mental health care, particularly for ADHD, many individuals are turning to self-diagnosis as a means of understanding their symptoms. Whilst it is important to validate people’s experiences and the challenges they face, self-diagnosis can sometimes overlook the nuances that professionals are trained to identify. 

ADHD shares overlapping symptoms with other conditions like anxiety, depression, or the menopause which can lead to misinterpretation. I encourage people to seek professional evaluation when possible, even if it takes time, as a proper diagnosis helps ensure the most effective treatment and support. 

If someone is waiting for a diagnosis we would recommend reading and learning more about ADHD as the behavioural strategies to support ADHD can be helpful to anyone with difficulties with inattention, hyperactivity of impulsivity even if you do not meet the criteria for a formal diagnosis.’ 

The Nook Neurodevelopmental Clinic specialises in private assessments for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

The Nook Clinic has clinics in Farnham, Surrey, and Esher, Greater London. The clinic is committed to providing evidence-based, compassionate care and support to people and their families.

Owner and founder Dr Selina Warlow has worked in both the NHS and The Priory. Her former role was working as a clinical psychologist in the NHS. Selina has experience in a psychiatric inpatient ward, children’s Crisis services, and OCD clinics. She worked in these areas in both the NHS and the Priory.