ADHD: Not a trend, a whim, or a bandwagon

A growing concern about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the danger of calling it a fad, a quirky personality trait, or a convenient label for “kids these days” (or even adults) who are distracted, energetic, or a tad disorganised. Here’s why the label needs serious consideration.

Workplace wellness psychologist Charissa Bloomberg explains that ADHD is often misunderstood – it is either dismissed as a trend or overused as a catch-all. But, according to major medical and psychological bodies worldwide, including the Centers for Disease Control and the American Psychiatric Association, ADHD is a legitimate neurodevelopmental condition.

Those who live with it have found that the condition shapes everything from attention, impulse control, and emotional regulation to daily functioning in ways that are persistent, impairing, and often exhausting.

Calling it “trendy” dismisses the real challenges and support that individuals who live with this condition require to thrive.

The reality of ADHD

New York Times bestselling author, motivational speaker, podcast host, and former lawyer Mel Robbins (who was first diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 47) describes what it feels like to try to manage the ADHD brain.

“Most people’s pre-frontal cortex is like a conductor who can take in all the different sounds of the orchestra members unpacking and warming up. And when it comes to attention, they can lift up those little sticks and point at the horns (as just one example) who are making too much noise and go, ‘Shh!’

“This action can silence both the noise outside of them and the noise inside them, so they can tap into and focus on something different or specific. [They can say], ‘Hey, strings, it’s time to magnify and amplify you!’. Those with ADHD,” she explains, “find it hard to make the switch.

“They’re missing the conductor in their brains.”

Problematic diagnostic criteria

In this YouTube interview, prominent Australian psychiatrist Professor Pat McGorry calls for new regulations on ADHD diagnosis in the quest to prevent the disease becoming “fashionable”.

“It generally affects perhaps five per cent of the population, not 50 per cent,” he clarifies.

“While ADHD is a real and serious condition, the recent surge in diagnoses reflects problematic diagnostic criteria, leading to potential overdiagnosis of mild cases and distracting us from a genuine underdiagnosis, especially in adult women who were missed in childhood due to outdated, male-centric diagnostic models.

There is a genuine need for an increase in care amongst young people… And I think we need to make sure the treatment resources we have are offered to those who really need them.”

The role of mislabelling

The term ADHD is being used more loosely than ever. In everyday conversation and on social media, people may call normal forgetfulness “ADHD”, describe boredom in a meeting as “my ADHD acting up”, or assume a child’s impulsive behaviour automatically equals a diagnosis.

For example, #ADHD has more than four million posts and at least 11,4 billion views on TikTok. And once you like a video on a certain topic, similar videos will keep getting pushed onto your For You Page, shaping your perception.

Normal attention limits

But struggling with motivation sometimes, being restless when stressed, or feeling scattered during a demanding season of life doesn’t automatically mean someone has ADHD.

Humans have attention limits. We all have days when we procrastinate, lose our keys, or can’t focus.

Bloomberg stresses that “not all focus struggles mean ADHD”. ADHD is different because the pattern is long-term, shows up across various settings (not just in one class or during one demanding career project), and significantly interferes with the individual’s life, as is depicted in Robbins’ orchestra example above.

“In South Africa, uneven access to proper assessment makes accurate diagnosis essential. It’s not about occasional distraction,” Bloomberg says, “but persistent patterns that impact daily life.”

What is ADHD?

So what does science currently understand about ADHD, in simple terms?

ADHD is not “bad behaviour”. It’s not a moral failing, laziness, or lack of willpower.

It’s also not something caused by a single factor like sugar, screen time, or “poor parenting”. Research points to ADHD being strongly influenced by genetics and differences in brain development and functioning, especially when it comes to the networks involved in attention, self-regulation, and executive functioning (the mental skills that help you plan, start, and finish tasks).

That’s why ADHD can look like chronic difficulty sustaining attention, managing time, shifting between tasks, remembering steps, or regulating impulses and emotions – even when someone is trying hard and genuinely cares.

What ADHD is not?

It’s also important to clarify what ADHD is not. It’s not simply a child who won’t sit still. It’s not always obvious hyperactivity.

Many people, especially girls and women, may present with more internal restlessness, daydreaming, overwhelm, anxiety, or perfectionism that masks their inner chaos.

ADHD is not “caused by diet” in the simplistic way people sometimes claim, and it’s not something you can parent out of a child with stricter rules. Good structure helps, supportive parenting helps, and healthy routines help – but those are management tools that cannot get to the root cause.

Why the trend?

So, why does ADHD seem trendy right now? One reason is awareness. More adults are recognising lifelong patterns that were missed when they were younger, especially if they were high-achieving, quiet, or simply labelled “messy”, “emotional”, or “unmotivated”.

Another reason is the modern attention environment. Short-form content, constant notifications, chronic stress, poor sleep, and non-stop busyness can make anyone feel foggy, reactive, and unfocused.

When people feel this way, ADHD becomes the closest “explanation” they’ve heard – even if the real issue is in fact burnout, anxiety, depression, trauma, sleep deprivation, and/or overload.

The power of lifestyle

That’s where commentary from the likes of Robbins truly resonates: lifestyle factors matter. Sleep, stress, food patterns, movement, routine, and external structure can strongly influence how ADHD symptoms show up from day to day. Even without ADHD, those factors can mimic ADHD-like struggles. And with ADHD, they can make symptoms feel dramatically better – or so much worse.

Lifestyle isn’t a cure, but it can be a powerful support system. More structure, better sleep habits, fewer distractions, and realistic planning can help the brain do what it already finds difficult: regulate, prioritise, and follow through.

Treatment beyond lifestyle

Bloomberg agrees that lifestyle habits like healthy eating patterns are essential. Further treatment, Bloomberg says, should include a mix of approaches: “Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for adults, parental guidance and school support for kids, medication, and routines that reduce stress – such as mindfulness, meditation, and yoga.”

Clarity leads to appropriate treatment

The takeaway is this: take your attention struggles seriously, but don’t rush to self-label. If you suspect ADHD, seek a proper evaluation from a qualified professional who can look at your history, your functioning across settings, and possible overlapping conditions.

A real diagnosis isn’t about “having a trendy identity”. It’s about clarity so you can access the right tools, accommodations, and support. Bloomberg elaborates that “careful, contextual evaluation helps move beyond labels to practical support”.

A complex diagnosis that should be taken seriously

ADHD isn’t a fashion statement. It’s real, complex, and manageable with the right help. Robbins says it best when she compares an ADHD diagnosis with finding out you have diabetes and explains how important it is for early diagnosis (preferably in childhood). The goal is to learn healthy coping mechanisms and be able to achieve the best possible outcomes in life.

Written by Vanessa Rogers, with editorial refinements by Medihelp