“Why is everyone suddenly being diagnosed with ADHD?”

Separating myths from reality in a world of TikTok and tired stereotypes

If you’ve started wondering about ADHD - for yourself, your child or someone you care about - you’ve probably heard one or more of these questions:

• “Why is everyone suddenly being diagnosed with ADHD?”

• “Surely not everyone has it - isn’t it just children who can’t behave?”

• “Isn’t this just something TikTok has made trendy?”

• “Doesn’t everyone forget things or get disorganised sometimes?”

  
  

These are common and understandable doubts. 

Let’s unpack them, step by step.

1. Why are so many people being diagnosed now?

ADHD isn’t ‘new.’ 

What is new is awareness. 

For decades, ADHD was misunderstood and under-diagnosed, especially in:

• Girls and women, who were often overlooked because their symptoms didn’t fit the ‘hyperactive boy’ stereotype

• Adults, who were told they’d “grow out of it” or were never assessed in childhood

• People with quieter, inattentive symptoms, who weren’t seen as disruptive but still struggled with focus, memory and organisation.

Increased awareness, better research and more open conversations mean people who were previously missed are finally being recognised. It’s not that more people ‘suddenly’ have ADHD - it’s that more people are finally being seen.

2. Isn’t ADHD just for children who can’t behave?

No. This is one of the biggest myths.

ADHD is not about being “naughty” or “badly behaved.” It’s about differences in the brain’s Executive Functions - the skills that help us focus, organise, plan, manage time, control impulses and regulate emotions.

For children, that might look like:

• Struggling to sit still or listen in class

• Forgetting instructions or losing belongings

• Blurting out answers without raising their hand

For adults, it might look like:

• Chronic lateness, even with the best intentions

• Struggling to start or finish tasks

• Feeling constantly disorganised, scattered or overwhelmed

ADHD isn’t about ‘bad behaviour.’ 

It’s about differences in how the brain manages daily life.

3. Isn’t ADHD just a TikTok trend?

Social media has definitely brought ADHD into the spotlight - and while TikTok isn’t always reliable, it has helped many people recognise themselves in ADHD content and seek proper assessments.

Think of TikTok as the conversation starter, not the diagnosis. 

The reality is:

• A TikTok video might spark recognition

• But a qualified clinician makes the diagnosis, based on detailed history and evidence

• ADHD isn’t decided by a trend - it’s confirmed through a careful process

So yes, TikTok has played a role in awareness. But the diagnosis is rooted in science, not social media.

4. Doesn’t everyone forget things or struggle with organisation?

Yes - sometimes. Everyone misplaces their keys or runs late now and then.

The difference with ADHD is:

• These difficulties are persistent, consistent and significantly impact daily life

• They happen across settings (school, work, home, social)

• They cause stress, conflict or lost opportunities, even when the person is trying their best

It’s the difference between occasionally burning dinner because you got distracted, versus regularly struggling to complete tasks, keep track of time or manage priorities despite your best efforts.

5. So what’s really going on?

Here’s the truth:

• ADHD is real

• It’s not new, not rare and not just about behaviour

• More people are being recognised because awareness has caught up with reality

And here’s the most important part: whether or not you (or your child) have ADHD, if you’re struggling with focus, organisation, impulsivity or regulation, you deserve support. 

Schools, workplaces and families can all make adjustments to help - and you don’t need to wait for a diagnosis to start exploring what works.

Key Takeaways

• ADHD awareness is rising - but that doesn’t mean it’s a “trend.”

• ADHD is about how the brain manages attention and Executive Functions, not about being naughty or lazy

• Everyone forgets things sometimes - ADHD means those struggles are chronic and impactful

• Whether or not a diagnosis comes, seeking understanding and support is always worthwhile

In The Waiting Room, you’ll find resources, tools and strategies to help you navigate life while waiting for assessment - or while simply exploring whether ADHD might be part of your story.