October is ADHD Awareness Month (from eng. attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) - a time when we pay close attention to the needs of people on the ADHD spectrum and remind ourselves of what a neurodevelopmental disorder is.
In Poland, people diagnosed with ADHD have 64 090 persone (data from 2024). The number of registered patients increased by 100,1% in the last 15 years — since 2010. The only year in which there was a decrease in the number of diagnoses was 2020, which can be associated with the pandemic and difficult access to medical care. The largest increase in the number of diagnoses occurred between 2022 and 2024. Growing social awareness, particularly through media education, has probably contributed to this. It is estimated that ADHD can occur in about 4% of the adult populationwhich means that in Poland even Approximately one million adults may meet the criteria for diagnosis — although many of them still remain undiagnosed.
In the world, it is much more difficult to determine the number of people with ADHD. Various studies estimate that this disorder can affect about 2.6% of adults, which corresponds to Approximately 140 million people in the world (in 2020). The broader coverage, which also includes people with partial symptoms of ADHD, points to as many as 366 million adults. For children and adolescents, the prevalence of ADHD is estimated at 5— 8% of the population. “Everyone has ADHD today. Media whose domain is the rapid transmission of information - especially social media such as Instagram or TikTok - have contributed to the emergence of many radical simplifications, including a shrunken image of ADHD. Today we can often come across short videos or reels full of pseudoscientific and pop-psychological content that list the alleged “features of ADHD”, encouraging quick self-diagnosis. However, this is a very harmful simplification. To make a diagnosis of ADHD, an evaluation of a specialist is needed - a psychiatrist doctor or clinical psychologist who has experience in diagnosing this disorder. Only through sound research, clinical history, and the development of psychiatry and psychology can we truly understand what ADHD is and how to deal with it effectively.
Many, often harmful, myths have arisen about ADHD. One is the belief that ADHD is only about the “little undressed boy,” the other is that it's just simple concentration problems. Meanwhile, numerous scientific studies have confirmed for years that ADHD is a real neurodevelopmental disorder that affects not only attention management, but also emotions, motivation, self-regulation and many other areas of everyday life. One of the most compelling arguments for treating ADHD with due seriousness is the fact that Untreated ADHD significantly increases the risk of developing depression, anxiety disorders or addictions.
Naughty boy with ADHD - myth or truth? Although ADHD is often associated with excessive energy or on the contrary - with laziness - in reality It's not one of those extremes. To better understand this, it is worth using the concept 'spectrum', which implies a certain range of diverse behaviors and symptoms. ADHD is neurodevelopmental disorder of genetic origin, which means that it can not be “acquired” over time. This is an important distinction, because today we often find ourselves confusing distracted attention - caused, for example, by excess stimuli and the use of new technologies - with symptoms of ADHD. Yes, excessive use of the phone or social media can lead to problems with concentration and affect the dopamine system, but it is not the cause of the disorder itself. In people with ADHD, there are disorders in the functioning of the dopaminergic and noradrenergic systems. Dopamine is responsible for motivation, pleasure, mood regulation and motor coordination, while norepinephrine affects alertness, concentration and arousal regulation.
So where does the fixed image of the running, “naughty” boy that often accompanies the description of a person with ADHD come from? It is not completely devoid of truth, but it certainly does not show the full picture of what ADHD really is.
In people with ADHD, it is observed disturbances in the functioning of the dopaminergic and noradrenergic systems - i.e. those systems that are responsible, among others, for motivation, concentration and regulation of the so-called reward system. In neurotypical people, after reaching a goal, a feeling of contentment and satisfaction appears, and dopamine helps maintain attention and motivation to act. In turn, norepinephrine supports alertness, regulates heart rate and affects the ability to concentrate. In ADHD, these mechanisms work differently: the reward signal tends to be weaker or less stable. In effect Keeping Motivated is more difficult, and mobilization often only occurs in certain situations, e.g. just before the due date. Then the level of stress and adrenaline increases, which temporarily improves focus. At other times, the body may look for ways to self-regulate - for example, through mobility, stimulus seeking or impulsive behavior. This is where the stereotype of the “naughty boy” who cannot sit still came from. From an outside perspective, especially in children, such behavior may look like a lack of discipline or poor upbringing. In reality, however, they result from a different functioning of the nervous system.
It is worth noting that in this myth there is boy - not a girl. Over the years, ADHD was mainly diagnosed in boys because their symptoms were more often external (e.g., hyperactivity, impulsivity). Girls, on the other hand, are more likely to show internal symptoms - difficulty concentrating, distraction, excessive thinking - which are easier to overlook. On this they are still overlapping cultural and social differences: from boys, activity and movement were more often expected, towards girls - calm and composure. Today we know much more about the differences in the course of ADHD in women and men, which is of great importance for diagnosis, selection of drugs and effective therapy.
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ADHD and work
People with ADHD often face difficulties in organization of time, planning and Systematic execution of tasks - especially when they need to be broken down into small stages. However, this is not the rule. It is worth noting that many people with ADHD, under the influence of social pressure and Promoted work models matched to neurotypical people, they learn mask your symptoms and adapt to the environment. However, the cost of such a match can be enormous - it often ends burnout, chronic stress, and even depression. People with ADHD, on the other hand, often They are great in situations that require immediate action - the so-called “combat tasks”. They can work at very high speeds, especially under time pressure when a deadline is approaching or a sudden crisis occurs. At such moments, their nervous system responds with an increase in dopamine and adrenaline, which allows them to focus and be efficient in a short time. You might think: fantastic! It is enough for people with ADHD to choose challenging professions - running their own business or working as doctors. Unfortunately, life does not consist solely of moments overflowing with dopamine. Both entrepreneurs and doctors have to face tasks that require patience, concentration and long-term planning on a daily basis. Of course - studying for a colloquium in anatomy or doing official business are not among anyone's favorite activities. However, for many people with ADHD threshold for entry into such activities is extremely high. Not because of lack of intelligence or laziness, but because ADHD brain processes priorities and stimuli differently.
Imagine a person with ADHD running a business.
Business is growing, new investors are on the horizon. The problem is not lack of competence or motivation, but difficulty in organizing tasks. In two months, an important project starts - a person with ADHD tries to plan it, writes down ideas, but stops at the stage Establishing a Hierarchy of Activities. They all seem equally important. The longer he tries to organize them, the more frustrated he gets — until he finally puts off planning. Appears executive paralysis. Only when the deadline is really close, there is a sudden surge of energy — the level of dopamine and norepinephrine increases, and the person with ADHD enters the so-called state of the so-called. hyperfocus. Within two days of intense work, she manages to complete the project — often at the expense of sleep, food and rest. This is how dopamine works “with a deadline”. But the consequences can be severe. For the past two months, a person may have struggled with low mood, stress, and guiltand the body gets used to functioning in the mode”all or nothing”. Over time, such a scheme can lead to perfectionism or Avoidant perfectionism (“runaway” as the ADHD coach calls him Magdalena Daniłoś, that is, to the state in which the fear of imperfection causes total avoidance of action).
Of course, the example given does not describe every person with ADHD. Symptoms can vary depending on personality, gender, environment, and life experiences. That is why it is so important reliable diagnostics, properly selected therapy and - if necessary - drug treatment, which helps regulate dopamine and norepinephrine levels.
In the work environment, it is worth remembering people neurodiverse - ask about their needs and flexibly adjust the way tasks are organized. It is not only an expression of empathy and a healthy organizational culture, but also investment in efficiency - because well-chosen working conditions lead to better results.
Where to look for help? If ADHD is suspected, The first step should be a professional diagnosis. Usually it is psychiatrist or clinical psychologist with experience working with ADHD, who can reliably assess symptoms and offer appropriate support.
Help with ADHD can come in different forms:
- Diagnosis and medical consultation: including psychiatric examinations and clinical history.
- Psychological therapy: techniques for organizing time, planning, dealing with emotions and stress.
- Pharmacological support: drugs that regulate the level of dopamine and norepinephrine, prescribed only by a doctor.
- ADHD Support Groups and Organizations: contact with people with similar experiences helps to exchange coping strategies in everyday life.
It is also worth remembering work and school environment; informing teachers, supervisors or colleagues about your needs allows you to make small changes that significantly improve efficiency and comfort of functioning. ADHD is neurodiversity, not a defect. Seeking support and using available tools allows you to function better in everyday and professional life.
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