Trending?
It seems like everyone and their mother has ADHD these days—a convenient excuse to be lazy, miss appointments, and leave chores undone, right? And yeah, from the outside it might look like a great way to dodge the laundry in favor of scrolling on your phone. But here’s the thing: unlike someone avoiding chores just to be difficult, those of us with ADHD genuinely want to get the laundry done.
Every time we walk past that pile, the guilt creeps in, and the negative self-talk starts:
Ugh, just do it already. Stop being so lazy. If you don’t do it soon, you won’t have any clean clothes. God, you’re such a slob. No wonder people don’t want to hang out with you. Why can’t you just do it?
And down the spiral we go.
Spot the difference? That inner monologue is a real treat—I give it a 5-star review for crushing self-esteem!
ADHD is a real struggle that many people live with, and yes, the number of diagnoses has been rising. In the late 1990s, about 6% of children were diagnosed with ADHD; by 2016, that number had increased to over 10% (CDC, 2022). This uptick prompted some professionals to question the criteria for diagnosis and to raise concerns about potential overdiagnosis or misdiagnosis.
And those concerns are valid. ADHD shares symptoms with other diagnoses—like anxiety, autism spectrum disorder, depression, and PTSD—which can complicate accurate diagnosis. On top of that, unmanaged ADHD often causes chronic stress or anxiety, further muddying the diagnostic waters. But if we assume all these new diagnoses are just mistakes, then we’re also implying there's a huge rise in other mental health conditions. So... what gives?
Is it just a trend? Are people faking it? Is ADHD overdiagnosed? Or dare I say, is everyone just a little bit crazy?
Well, the reality is more nuanced. There are several key reasons we're seeing an increase in mental health diagnoses across the board:
1. Improved Access to Mental Healthcare
Changes in healthcare policy, like mental health parity laws, have expanded access to services. More people have the opportunity to get evaluated and treated, and unsurprisingly, this means more diagnoses are made. When care becomes accessible, conditions that were always there begin to surface.
2. Decreased Stigma Around Mental Health
We’re (thankfully) in a cultural moment where mental health isn’t hidden in the shadows anymore. People are more open about their struggles (maybe even too open, depending on who you ask). But either way, asking for help is no longer a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of courage. That shift in perception has led many to finally seek answers to problems they’ve struggled with for years.
3. Increased Awareness and Education
Thanks to advocacy, education, and widespread awareness campaigns, ADHD is better understood by educators, parents, healthcare providers, and mental health professionals. This means more people are recognizing the signs early and seeking appropriate care. Awareness has also helped adults, especially women, recognize symptoms they’ve carried since childhood but were previously overlooked.
4. Evolving Diagnostic Criteria
The diagnostic criteria for ADHD have changed over time. For instance, the recognition of the inattentive presentation (often without the hallmark hyperactivity) made it possible for more people, especially girls and women, to be accurately diagnosed. Previously, their symptoms were misunderstood as “daydreaming,” “being scattered,” or “not trying hard enough.” Now, we recognize those patterns for what they are: valid symptoms of ADHD that deserve support and treatment. These diagnostic refinements are part of how the DSM evolves to reflect our growing understanding of mental health.
Truthfully, I’ve seen this pattern with several other diagnoses. As stigma decreases and diagnostic criteria evolve, people finally have language for what they’ve been experiencing all along. It’s not that these conditions are new, or trendy, it’s that they’re finally being recognized.
So no, ADHD isn’t a fad. It’s not overdiagnosed. It’s not some Gen Z excuse to avoid responsibilities. What we’re witnessing is a cultural shift: one that encourages compassion, understanding, and support rather than condemnation, shame and blame. And honestly? That’s a trend I can get behind.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Data and Statistics About ADHD.” https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). “Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.” https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd
American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).