Danielle Elliott

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.

The psychiatrist diagnosed Michelle, and things started to change. For years, she said, she'd been trying to stay above water, running from fire to fire. She joked that she had been diagnosed with BAD, bad, in elementary school. And things progressed accordingly.

The psychiatrist diagnosed Michelle, and things started to change. For years, she said, she'd been trying to stay above water, running from fire to fire. She joked that she had been diagnosed with BAD, bad, in elementary school. And things progressed accordingly.

What's the language you normally use?

What's the language you normally use?

Michelle did enough work to finish college and nursing school. She got married. She got divorced. She got sober at 45 and was diagnosed with ADHD at 50. Two years later, she can see the difference the diagnosis and treatment have made in her life.