Danielle Elliott

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.

But while I had the ear of one of the leading experts on ADHD, I wanted to ask Ned a harder question, one that is less about his book sales and more about how he differentiates between the trait of ADHD and the disorder. What if the reason more people are seeking a diagnosis is actually because more people have moved from the trait part of the spectrum to the disordered part of the spectrum?

But while I had the ear of one of the leading experts on ADHD, I wanted to ask Ned a harder question, one that is less about his book sales and more about how he differentiates between the trait of ADHD and the disorder. What if the reason more people are seeking a diagnosis is actually because more people have moved from the trait part of the spectrum to the disordered part of the spectrum?

Meaning, what if ADHD is actually becoming more prevalent? Part of the search that I'm on is sort of why the rise, not just the rise in diagnosis, but is there a rise in actual prevalence? And I'm curious if there's... I don't think so.

Meaning, what if ADHD is actually becoming more prevalent? Part of the search that I'm on is sort of why the rise, not just the rise in diagnosis, but is there a rise in actual prevalence? And I'm curious if there's... I don't think so.

as in a culture that creates ADD-like symptoms in people. Does this make your head spin? It made mine spin. I felt like he was saying, no, ADHD is not more prevalent. But yes, you're right, it is, because we've expanded the definition of ADHD to a point that it encompasses more than ADHD. Ned continued.

as in a culture that creates ADD-like symptoms in people. Does this make your head spin? It made mine spin. I felt like he was saying, no, ADHD is not more prevalent. But yes, you're right, it is, because we've expanded the definition of ADHD to a point that it encompasses more than ADHD. Ned continued.

He told me how to tell them apart. He suggested something he calls the Vermont test. Leave them on a farm in Vermont for a few weeks.

He told me how to tell them apart. He suggested something he calls the Vermont test. Leave them on a farm in Vermont for a few weeks.

He was only half serious, but his reasoning was completely serious. He said that a person with environmentally influenced ADHD will feel their symptoms ease now that they're in a quieter, less stimulating environment. They'll be able to relax. A person with true ADHD will continue to exhibit ADHD, regardless of their environment.

He was only half serious, but his reasoning was completely serious. He said that a person with environmentally influenced ADHD will feel their symptoms ease now that they're in a quieter, less stimulating environment. They'll be able to relax. A person with true ADHD will continue to exhibit ADHD, regardless of their environment.

If their symptom is hyperactivity, for example, they'll spend their weeks in Vermont turning a farm into an amusement park. They won't be able to sit still. Maybe they'll hyperfocus on a book for a little while, but not the entire time.

If their symptom is hyperactivity, for example, they'll spend their weeks in Vermont turning a farm into an amusement park. They won't be able to sit still. Maybe they'll hyperfocus on a book for a little while, but not the entire time.

I agree. It's important to make that distinction. The current rates of ADHD diagnosis are not making that distinction. What do we do about this? Before I could ask this question, the sliding door opened behind me. Hello!

I agree. It's important to make that distinction. The current rates of ADHD diagnosis are not making that distinction. What do we do about this? Before I could ask this question, the sliding door opened behind me. Hello!

Ned's wife, Sue Hollowell, was home from work.

Ned's wife, Sue Hollowell, was home from work.

She shook out her umbrella and wiped her feet on the mat, then walked to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of wine.

She shook out her umbrella and wiped her feet on the mat, then walked to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of wine.

I was about to stop the recorder when Ned turned and said, She knows more about couples than anyone in the world. Sue is a therapist. When Ned's first book came out, couples started contacting her about ADHD. She moved around the kitchen as she explained this, then stopped to pour me a glass of wine.