Writings

Honest writing on ADHD, neurodivergence, and the work of understanding yourself

The Disordered Framing of Disorders

Is ADHD even real? It is a question I routinely hear. Sometimes it’s asked out of a place of self-denial, out of fear of clinging to some false label, when really they “should just do better”. Other times it’s asked with an unjustifiable skepticism, with a tone that implies those who present with executive dysfunction are just lazy and making excuses while struggling to manage. Or maybe it’s a question stemming from a belief that the very concept of a diagnosis is merely the health care machine’s profiting off the pathologization of a universal human experience. Or the classic metaphysical dilemma, just because you observe it, does that necessarily mean it’s real?

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The Disordered Framing of Disorders

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ADHD & CPTSD: What is the difference?

Differential diagnosis is the process of distinguishing between conditions that share similar symptoms in order to arrive at the most accurate explanation for a client’s experience. In my practice, one of the more challenging examples of this is differentiating Complex Post-Traumatic Stress (CPTSD) from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Both of these diagnoses share significant overlap, including rapid mood fluctuations, impulsivity, rumination, difficulty concentrating, and difficulty establishing and maintaining friendships. Even more complicated is the fact that living with ADHD often leads to experiences that can result in CPTSD.

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Truthisms as the New Therapy

Over the past several years I have seen a rapid shift in the way social media has framed our discussions of mental health. Far more concerning to me than the overuse of pop-psychology terms or the host of professionals potentially undermining the field with cringe dance videos is the slew of “wellness coaches” preaching misinformation and truthisms in their attempt to grift those who are hurting.

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