04/08/2026
This is a rant. Seriously, words matter they do harm. And this type of discourse around ADHD I heard it in the 1980's as well. It's not new. But it's gaining traction again.
I've already had people tell me that my ADHD isn't real, it's made up and that they're just diagnosing it for everyone and it doesn't really exist. This clickbait title is going to add to the stigma I've been dealing with since I was diagnosed in 1979. On top of the s**t I get for being too "extra" because of my combined type adhd.
Back when I was diagnosed they still called it minimal brain dysfunction, or minimal brain damage. Words matter, click bait like this matters. The amount of damage this medical name did to my self esteem as child was horrid.
I was on Ritalin from the a 80's to the beginning of the 90's and top student as a result. They took me off at puberty and I failed a grade and had to repeat it. I went back on Ritalin briefly in 1995 for university... and off again when I lost my heath insurance when I graduated.
I hid my ADHD for years for everyone except my closest friends. Because of the stigma. I've been on Elvanse/Vyvanse now for almost a year. And it's great.
If I'd not had all of the stigma surrounding my adhd and sought help with it in my 20's, 30's, 40's I truly think my life would have been a lot easier and a lot happier at times. Without all of the stress and anxiety I've had managing my adhd with CBT and strength of will.
I tell you it's been nice the past few years to not be looked at as if I'm broken or less than because of my ADHD.
Shame on you Channel 4 you're getting attention but at the cost of people like me.
