The Two Articles from the Economist:
Researchers are questioning if ADHD should be seen as a disorder. The Economist, October 30, 2024. https://archive.is/a4xbu
ADHD should not be treated as a disorder. The Economist, October 30, 2024. https://archive.is/hNPIQ#selection-97…
Why do the categories have to be mutually exclusive? ADHD is a neurodivergent condition that can cause disability.
Like damn near everything else it’s not binary.
It’s not like everyone without it is the same, and everyone with is the same.
So for some people, it’s just normal human variation. For some people it’s a disorder.
If I ate an apple everyday, that’s kind of a lot but normal human variation
If I ate 10 apples a day and that’s all I ever eat, it’s a disorder.
Likewise ADHD can be normal variation or a disorder. Because magnitude matters and almost nothing is truly binary.
It’s bell curves all the way down.
I had a biopsych professor who started most classes with:
Normal gets said a lot, it’s the average range most people are for that very specific thing. None of us are completely normal, and if anyone was they’d probably be the most unique person on the planet
Great message, a tad over dramatic, and definitely got repetitive quick.
But it’s important to remember none of us really think the same, and there isn’t really a “normal” like people usually think of.
If we weren’t all so different, it wouldn’t be so notable when we vibe with someone.
I’ll see myself out…
Magnitude always matters.
And every single riot scene in that show is amazing. I think my favorite was the cafeteria riot tho.
I’m pretty sure I’m disabled.
ADHD is a disability. Only people with no familiarity with it would claim it doesn’t impair our ability to function in society.
Right but the question is whether or not that is inherent to ADHD, or inherent to how we’ve designed society. The latter is something that could in theory be fixed.
If this is the case than anything beyond a perfect clone is a disability. Shorter than 6’ as a man? Disability. Flat chest as a woman? Disability. Eyes too far apart? Disability.
I have ADHD and I’ve managed life pretty fine, because when I was growing up I was just ‘energetic’. I managed to control my issues over time. Granted – I’m not as severe as some cases; but I think the severity is what should be considered the disease, not the ADHD itself.
You realize there’s people missing limbs that would probably say they manage life pretty fine?
If ADHD is recognized as a disability it’s also because it can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, even if some individuals learn to manage their symptoms, if you had to manage your issue I understand it may not have been for free
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Most people don’t have ADHD. You had to do something most people don’t have to do. You adapted to your condition, and without support. I’m sorry you didn’t get the recognition you may have benefitted from as a child.
Recognizing my disability doesn’t make me helpless or lazy, it helps me get the resources that enable me to perform like the world expects.
Being 6ft tall can give you joint and heart problems in later life. Flat-chested women can be excellent swimmers. Having eyes too far apart might make you an unsafe driver.
I like the way the second article addresses how we shouldn’t force ADHD people to conform to neurotypical standards in the classroom.
However, in a world where survival is based on being able to get enough money to get housing and food, and the said acquisition of this money depends on performing in a world that is built for neurotypicals, you bet your ass that ADHD is a disability.
