This article is part 3 of a 5-part series on modern perspectives on ADHD. Part 2, "What is ADHD, Really?" is available here.

An increased need for stimulation among ADHDers has led to a medical view that ADHD is a disorder. This medical view is that ADHD involves a deficit in attention, distractibility, daydreaming, procrastination, forgetfulness, disorganisation, restlessness, boredom, impulsivity, and emotional dysregulation. However, the problem with this view is that neurotypicals can also experience these symptoms when they’re under-stimulated, just like ADHDers.

To illustrate this, consider asking a neurotypical adult to sit alone and watch a television show made for young children, or to sit at a work desk doing nothing for a day. It would likely result in mind wandering, daydreaming, eyes scanning the room, fidgeting, frustration, boredom, and a desire to get up or find another interesting activity. We would not describe this individual as having an inattention, hyperactivity, mood regulation, or impulsivity disorder.

Likewise, I argue that it would be a strange perspective to describe an ADHDer as having a disorder if sitting to watch a typical adult television show or engaging in a typical desk job for a day induces the same symptoms. The ADHDer simply has a greater need for stimulation in their activities. From this perspective, then, ADHD is not inattention, hyperactivity,........

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