Danielle Elliott

Ned told me I'm getting caught up in the diagnostic criteria. He doesn't want to throw out the accepted diagnostic criteria for ADHD. He just thinks it's flawed. He prefers what he calls a descriptive model, in which you describe the experience of ADHD and ask someone if this description feels familiar.

I have a hard time with this because the description seems all-encompassing. I don't know many people who wouldn't relate to at least some of this description. Everyone gets distracted sometimes. Everyone feels low sometimes. And if anyone who relates to it should consider ADHD, would that not lead to overdiagnosis? Reporters and experts debate over diagnosis whenever diagnosis rates rise.

I have a hard time with this because the description seems all-encompassing. I don't know many people who wouldn't relate to at least some of this description. Everyone gets distracted sometimes. Everyone feels low sometimes. And if anyone who relates to it should consider ADHD, would that not lead to overdiagnosis? Reporters and experts debate over diagnosis whenever diagnosis rates rise.

In the past, they focused on pharmaceutical marketing. They said it presented stimulants as a cure-all for basic human behaviors, that it stretched the definition of a mental health condition in pursuit of profits. Now, I wonder if some ADHD coaches, authors, speakers, and doctors have expanded the definition to the point that descriptions feel relatable to everyone. Ned has books to sell.

In the past, they focused on pharmaceutical marketing. They said it presented stimulants as a cure-all for basic human behaviors, that it stretched the definition of a mental health condition in pursuit of profits. Now, I wonder if some ADHD coaches, authors, speakers, and doctors have expanded the definition to the point that descriptions feel relatable to everyone. Ned has books to sell.

ADHD coaches need clients. Is it possible that, in an effort to sell these books and services, some experts are triggering overdiagnosis? And on the flip side of that, that they have painted such a rosy picture of ADHD that some people are led to believe it's not all that bad, or maybe not worth pursuing treatment. Ned told me he's not worried about overdiagnosis.

ADHD coaches need clients. Is it possible that, in an effort to sell these books and services, some experts are triggering overdiagnosis? And on the flip side of that, that they have painted such a rosy picture of ADHD that some people are led to believe it's not all that bad, or maybe not worth pursuing treatment. Ned told me he's not worried about overdiagnosis.

He maintains that, if anything, ADHD is still wildly underdiagnosed.

He maintains that, if anything, ADHD is still wildly underdiagnosed.

I asked Ned to clarify his suggestion that 30 to 40 percent of the population has ADHD. And he reiterated that he does not think 30 to 40 percent meet the diagnostic criteria. Rather, he was talking about two distinct things. He was talking about ADHD, a serious disorder. And ADHD, a trait.

I asked Ned to clarify his suggestion that 30 to 40 percent of the population has ADHD. And he reiterated that he does not think 30 to 40 percent meet the diagnostic criteria. Rather, he was talking about two distinct things. He was talking about ADHD, a serious disorder. And ADHD, a trait.

As in, there are people whose lives are truly disordered by ADHD who fit into the statistics on increased rates of incarceration, divorce, substance abuse, credit card debt, premature death, and the many other negative consequences associated with ADHD. And then there are people who have some of the elements of ADHD, even if not the full disorder.

As in, there are people whose lives are truly disordered by ADHD who fit into the statistics on increased rates of incarceration, divorce, substance abuse, credit card debt, premature death, and the many other negative consequences associated with ADHD. And then there are people who have some of the elements of ADHD, even if not the full disorder.

Regardless of whether they have severe ADHD or mild symptoms that might not qualify as a disorder, Ned believes they would benefit from ADHD coaching or reading his books. What Ned was doing here, insisting on a distinction between the disorder and a trait, it helped me understand why so many people tell me they have a little bit of ADHD.

Regardless of whether they have severe ADHD or mild symptoms that might not qualify as a disorder, Ned believes they would benefit from ADHD coaching or reading his books. What Ned was doing here, insisting on a distinction between the disorder and a trait, it helped me understand why so many people tell me they have a little bit of ADHD.

It seems to line up with the idea that ADHD symptoms occur along a spectrum. But it also left me with more skepticism. Because if everyone with, quote, a little ADHD is now being diagnosed with ADHD the disorder, doesn't that indicate overdiagnosis? I'm not sure.

It seems to line up with the idea that ADHD symptoms occur along a spectrum. But it also left me with more skepticism. Because if everyone with, quote, a little ADHD is now being diagnosed with ADHD the disorder, doesn't that indicate overdiagnosis? I'm not sure.

It's a big question, and an important question, because the current rates of diagnosis have helped contribute to an unprecedented drug shortage. If people are being misdiagnosed, and that's limiting people with the disorder from accessing medications and treatment that they need in order to function, that's a huge problem. Overdiagnosis is a riddle we'll never solve.

It's a big question, and an important question, because the current rates of diagnosis have helped contribute to an unprecedented drug shortage. If people are being misdiagnosed, and that's limiting people with the disorder from accessing medications and treatment that they need in order to function, that's a huge problem. Overdiagnosis is a riddle we'll never solve.

This is a subjective diagnosis. People can lie. Other people can feel too much shame to ever seek help. Still more might relate to descriptions, even if the symptoms don't impair their lives. There are likely tons of people with undiagnosed ADHD and tons with misdiagnosed ADHD. We could circle it all day.