Danielle Elliott

As part of her role at the camp, Elaine helps the other parents connect with each other. When she spoke to the group, she mentioned one of the ways she's doing so. She'd created a makeshift mail center at the back of the room, where parents could leave each other notes throughout the week. It was simple, little envelopes pinned to a board, each with a parent's name on it.

As part of her role at the camp, Elaine helps the other parents connect with each other. When she spoke to the group, she mentioned one of the ways she's doing so. She'd created a makeshift mail center at the back of the room, where parents could leave each other notes throughout the week. It was simple, little envelopes pinned to a board, each with a parent's name on it.

On my way out of one of the sessions, I noticed a woman dropping a note into each mailbox.

On my way out of one of the sessions, I noticed a woman dropping a note into each mailbox.

This is Michelle. She has long, curly gray hair and wears T-shirts. She's 52, which makes her one of the older moms at the camp. And I don't know if it's age or life experience or just her, but she has a very calm vibe.

This is Michelle. She has long, curly gray hair and wears T-shirts. She's 52, which makes her one of the older moms at the camp. And I don't know if it's age or life experience or just her, but she has a very calm vibe.

Michelle's a nurse practitioner. Her son was diagnosed with ADHD about six years ago. But at the time, she didn't suspect she had it. In 2019, she started a post-grad course in psychiatric mental health. The coursework included the DSM. When they got to the pages on ADHD, the descriptions felt familiar.

Michelle's a nurse practitioner. Her son was diagnosed with ADHD about six years ago. But at the time, she didn't suspect she had it. In 2019, she started a post-grad course in psychiatric mental health. The coursework included the DSM. When they got to the pages on ADHD, the descriptions felt familiar.

She sent a photo to her mom, her ex-husband, and a few close friends who have known her at different points in her life. Did any of them think Michelle fit the criteria?

She sent a photo to her mom, her ex-husband, and a few close friends who have known her at different points in her life. Did any of them think Michelle fit the criteria?

She learned that people with ADHD have a 60 percent higher rate of developing addiction. She was about four years sober at that point and part of a support group called Healthcare Providers with Addiction. The group met weekly. They knew her well.

She learned that people with ADHD have a 60 percent higher rate of developing addiction. She was about four years sober at that point and part of a support group called Healthcare Providers with Addiction. The group met weekly. They knew her well.

Her group was wrong. Research shows that the medications most commonly used to treat ADHD are not addictive when used properly. The drugs have also been shown to have significant benefits in reducing substance abuse and in helping people with ADHD who are in recovery to maintain sobriety. Unfortunately, her group's response is not uncommon in recovery groups.

Her group was wrong. Research shows that the medications most commonly used to treat ADHD are not addictive when used properly. The drugs have also been shown to have significant benefits in reducing substance abuse and in helping people with ADHD who are in recovery to maintain sobriety. Unfortunately, her group's response is not uncommon in recovery groups.

Michelle was wise to continue the conversation, and her friend was right. ADHD is highly genetic. Many parents pass it on to their children. She and her friend talked through it, and Michelle took an online self-assessment. It came back as hyperactive with some inattention and impulsivity.

Michelle was wise to continue the conversation, and her friend was right. ADHD is highly genetic. Many parents pass it on to their children. She and her friend talked through it, and Michelle took an online self-assessment. It came back as hyperactive with some inattention and impulsivity.

Hearing that the support group, a group of healthcare workers, rejected the idea of ADHD makes me wonder how many people remain undiagnosed. We ask so many questions about overdiagnosis. What about underdiagnosis, particularly among groups who stand to benefit from understanding correlations between things like addiction and ADHD?

Hearing that the support group, a group of healthcare workers, rejected the idea of ADHD makes me wonder how many people remain undiagnosed. We ask so many questions about overdiagnosis. What about underdiagnosis, particularly among groups who stand to benefit from understanding correlations between things like addiction and ADHD?

Michelle's support group twice rejected the possibility that she has ADHD, and then she rejected them. She dropped out of the group. She took the assessment results to a psychiatrist.

Michelle's support group twice rejected the possibility that she has ADHD, and then she rejected them. She dropped out of the group. She took the assessment results to a psychiatrist.