AmiSight 11/11: ADHD Isn’t a One-Size-Fits-All Diagnosis

In recent decades, increased screening for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has helped destigmatize this now common developmental disorder.

E.J. Dickson, senior writer at The Cut, was diagnosed with ADHD as a young teen and explores some of the perceptions surrounding it—questioning whether ADHD could even be seen as an extrasensory gift, or superpower. She shares her insights in a recent article.

As with many diagnoses, ADHD is highly individualized, with each person’s experience looking different, Dickson explains. While some, like celebrities Paris Hilton and Simone Biles, have channeled their high energy into thriving careers, others are challenged by constant distractions that can be debilitating.

Dickson concludes, "We should see it as what it is: a reality for a small yet sizable percentage of the population, one that can sometimes be good and sometimes be bad but is never just one thing for any one person."