In modern society, people make jokes about AD(H)D also known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and they are not funny. It impacts people on a daily basis, making the simplest of tasks seem impossible at times. AD(H)D is considered a mental illness and therefore it is not okay to make jokes about mental illnesses nor it is okay to make fun of any kind of health condition
When people hear AD(H)D they automatically think of the stereotype, as someone who cannot focus and fidgets. What people do not recognize is that there are three types of AD(H)D including Hyperactive, inattentive and combined type which are all very different. A person with inattentive type might have no problem sitting still in class, but might zone out occasionally. On the other hand, a person with hyperactive type might be able to focus in class, but constantly tap their feet. In order to be diagnosed with AD(H)D you have to present at least six symptoms consistently for six months. However, people do not realize that there are other difficulties such as reading social cues, or controlling emotions. Just because you have trouble staying focused at night does not give you the right to say you have AD(H)D. In fact people with AD(H)D can get easily offended.
I am tired of non AD(H)D people saying they need medication. For people with AD(H)D they need the medicine to get through the entire day, it is not just about studying. We would not make it out the door without taking our medication. In order to be diagnosed with AD(H)D your symptoms have to impact you in two or more settings, such as work, home or school. We do not take medication to help us do well on a test, we take it so that our brains can actually process the information on the test and finish it in a timely fashion. In addition, medications come with side effects ranging from loss of appetite to mood swings.
The other stereotype about AD(H)D is that they do poorly overall in school. Not every person with AD(H)D struggles academically. Some people get straights As but are extremely hyperactive. However, that does not mean everything comes easy. While a non diagnosed person may be able to study for one hour and get an A, a diagnosed person might have to study for three hours. This is because we do not process information as quickly and need repetition to really understand concepts. When you say things like " I'm doing so badly in school I think I have AD(H)D" you are ignoring the fact that some people with AD(H)D do well in school.
For a full list of criteria to be diagnosed with AD(H)D follow the link
