[dr_dshiv]

As a heuristic, assume that it is never the right question to ask "Is ___ real?"

Asking how it is measured, what kind of effect it has, whether the effects are meaningful, how it can be explained, whether there are more appropriate labels, what kind of alternative explanations exist, etc.

Asking whether something is "real" fails even when talking about fundamental physical phenomena like gravity, math or consciousness. So, this is almost always the wrong question.

[DestroyADHD]

With all due respect, I have done my research on ADHD and still couldn’t come to a conclusion.

The opioid crisis was a manufactured crisis by the greedy big pharma, right? Looking at how anyone and everyone is being prescribed stimulant medicines these days, I have my reservations about this disorder

[vanderZwan]

How about looking beyond American borders.

Signed, someone with ADHD in a country without an opioid crisis and who out of necessity manages to live without medication but who definitely benefitted from them when they had them.

[DestroyADHD]

I never denied the existence of ADHD. I am only genuinely curious if it is an actual disorder or a consequence of our modern overstimulated world.

I hope sincere curiosity is permitted. Good luck to you. Hope you are able to find help :)

[herbstein]

Your username is literally "DestroyADHD". That doesn't sound open-minded and questioning. But let's leave that aside.

A psychological disorder is a set of symptoms that negatively affects several areas in the life of the person experiencing them. That's about it. We group symptoms that often coincide and give the groups names. Getting a diagnosis is a trained professional confirming that you 1) have the symptoms and 2) confirming that it negatively affects your life. That's it. The cause of ADHD -- whether it's caused by the hustling modern world, a multitude, or any other cause -- is entirely irrelevant to a discussion about the "real"-ness of the disorder.

And of course, finding a root cause for ADHD would be incredibly useful for preventing it and helping people with it. But if the cause was found to be the modern overstimulated world that doesn't change anything about the disorder -- it's just as real as if humans have been dealing with it for 200,000 years.

[DestroyADHD]

Ah! Yes. Trying to fish out “intention” from a random username. If you really wish to know my intention behind choosing that username, here you go - DestroyADHD as in destroy the symptoms and negative effects of ADHD in my life.

Anywho, didn’t expect HN to be this hostile and over-analyzing a genuine concern. So, I won’t waste my time trying to reason with anyone further.

[piva00]

Not out of a username, it's the whole context, your username and this quote:

> I have my reservations about this disorder

It's hard to read any other way than someone who wants to question if ADHD is real, don't you agree?

[engmgrmgr]

But your username is not random.

[dr_dshiv]

Bro I feel you. Good vibes. Keep sharing interesting questions!!!

[herbst]

Here in central Europe only a few adult ADHD people opt in for medication. Many don't.

Yet it is still more and more discovered to be a more widespread issue than thought.

[vineyardmike]

The solution to every issue isn’t medication, and many people deal with adhd without medication. In fact, adhd meds are some of the hardest to get due to laws restricting their distribution (in us at least).

Just because a medicated opportunity exists doesn’t mean it’s an exploit on the population or that it doesn’t help people using it.

[stared]

Every time when I hear or read "I have done my research", but one does not mentioned even a Wikipedia page (let alone a publication, textbook or metastudy), it is the same story.