ADHD currently is attracting attention. In Australia, ADHD medication prescriptions increased by almost 300 per cent in ten years rising to 470,000 people in 2022-2023. For adults, the rise was by more than 450% and 52% of adults prescribed medication were women. It is understood to be a neurobiological disorder characterised by a prolonged pattern of concentration, attention and impulse control difficulties impacting everyday life and linked to anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.
Some argue that the upsurge reflects a long overdue recognition of a condition that has been underdiagnosed, especially for women, rather than an increase in prevalence. Others speak of overdiagnosis and medicalisation of a condition that reflects a poor fit between the way many people’s brains function and demands of society.
While acknowledging that people’s brains respond differently it is also important to consider how we speak about ADHD. Rachel Aviv who writes for The New Yorker on illness and mental health says, “There are stories that save us, and stories that trap us.” This reminds us to consider how we speak of ADHD and the impact of a label on a child or adult throughout their lives.
Are There Any Benefits?
To have a balanced story about ADHD we need to consider benefits that may accompany it. Hargitai et al (2025) noted that the positive characteristics that may be features of ADHD were unexplored and it was unknown if people with the diagnosis recognised and used these strengths and the role this had on life outcomes.
400 adults were recruited to participate in the study, half with a diagnosis and half without, who rated their endorsement of 25 supposed ADHD strengths. They also completed self-report scales of ‘strengths knowledge, strengths use, subjective wellbeing, quality of life, and mental health.’ While fewer than half the strengths were endorsed by those with a diagnosis, hyperfocus, creativity, and being imaginative were clearly key strengths. Spontaneity, humour, and intuitiveness were also additional notable assets.
While the groups did not differ in their strengths knowledge, greater awareness and use was associated with ‘better wellbeing, improved quality of life, and fewer mental health symptoms.’
In Conclusion
It is very easy to find extensive testimony to the challenges of ADHD, academic underachievement, difficulties with social relationships, bankruptcy, traffic accidents, risky behaviours, addiction, and suicide. However, many with ADHD may demonstrate strengths such as creativity, curiosity, energy, and a capacity to approach problems from different perspectives that others cannot see. While medication may be helpful for some, encouraging a recognition of the unique benefits ADHD can bring and harnessing these in productive ways provides a different and positive resource. Exploring strengths and not solely focussing on challenges allows for a different and more positive story to emerge and be accepted.
Hargitai, L. D., Laan, E. L. M.,Schippers, L. M., Livingston, L. A., Fairchild, G.,Shah, P., & Hoogman, M. (2025). The role of psychological strengths in positive life outcomes in adults with ADHD. Psychological Medicine, 55, e278, 1–11https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291725101232
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