Despite growing awareness about mental health, the stigma surrounding ADHD remains pervasive and deeply rooted in misunderstanding. Over the decades, we have seen excellent treatments developed for people with brains wired differently than those of their neurotypical counterparts. Where ADHD symptoms might have held them back in the past, today, they can participate fully in the world, succeed and even thrive. Breaking the stigma of ADHD is important because it keeps individuals from seeking help that is widely available. Undiagnosed ADHD can fuel cycles of self-criticism and burnout from being compared to peers who seem to be “handling life” with ease. In turn, this erodes self-esteem and limits opportunities at school and in the workplace.

In this blog, we discuss the following with scientifically supported information.

• What is ADHD?
• Is ADHD on the rise?
• Practical strategies for adults with ADHD.
• ADHD in BIPOC and diverse communities.
• Receiving culturally responsive, multilingual care

What is ADHD?

ADHD, short for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental condition within the human brain. The prefrontal cortex, which manages focus, planning, and decision-making, is slower and has less connectivity than a neurotypical brain. Individuals with ADHD have fewer and less active dopamine and norepinephrine pathways, which manage motivation, alertness and reward. Also, the connections between their amygdala and prefrontal cortex, which manage emotions, differ from neurotypical brains. These neurological differences impact how individuals with ADHD process information, focus on tasks and act on compulsions.

ADHD has three subtypes:

Predominantly Inattentive Type

These individuals have trouble organizing themselves. They get distracted easily and have difficulty following instructions. They cannot focus on tasks for very long and often struggle to finish them.

Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulse Type

Fidgeting, restlessness and impatience are what others notice most about people with this type of ADHD. They talk excessively, interrupt others, and often act on their impulses without thinking.

Combined Type

These individuals exhibit a combination of characteristics from the Inattentive and Hyperactive-Impulsive types.

ADHD is caused by biological and genetic factors, and not poor parenting. This stigma against parents has transcended generations and is one of the reasons why many with neurodivergent children feel judged, ashamed, and isolated. This is yet another reason for spreading awareness and breaking the stigma of ADHD.

Is ADHD On The Rise?

ADHD has likely always existed in human history. As early as 1798, Scottish physician Sir Alexander Crichton described it as “the incapacity of attending with a necessary degree of constancy to any one object.” Similarly, in 1902, British pediatrician Sir George Still noted how some children, while intelligent, could not control their behaviour. In 1968, it was added to the DSM-II (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Version 2) as Hyperkinetic Reaction of Childhood.

It may appear that more children are receiving a diagnosis of ADHD in recent times. This is not because more children have it per capita compared to the past. Instead, it’s because clear diagnostic standards for ADHD were not established until 1980, when it was added to the DSM-III as ADD – Attention Deficit Disorder. ADD received a name change in 1987 to ADHD, and in 2000, the DSM-IV grouped ADHD into the three subtypes, giving rise to diagnostic accuracy and very effective treatments.

In fact, more adults are only just discovering they have lived with ADHD all their lives. Receiving the diagnosis is often accompanied by great relief, because they had always been perceived as lazy, careless, inattentive, lacking willpower or simply incapable.

Practical Strategies for Adults with ADHD

ADHD cannot be cured. However, it can be managed with a combination of medications, psychotherapy, lifestyle changes and accommodations. Children with ADHD are now growing up supported with these strategies, which have become a regular part of their daily living. It has facilitated them to enter the adult world fully equipped to manage careers, jobs, families and social environments.

Adults with ADHD have to go through a learning curve to get there. Fortunately, the human brain has a fantastic ability called neuroplasticity, which allows it to reorganize and develop new neural connections throughout life. This will enable adults to retool their habits and learn new ways to complete their daily tasks and activities. For example:

• Breaking tasks into micro-steps: Instead of “write essay,” start with “open laptop” or “outline the first paragraph.”
• Set timers & intervals: Try the Pomodoro method—25 minutes of focus, 5-minute break.
• Using visual aids & reminders (calendars, to-do lists, and reminder alerts) can reduce mental load and improve task management.
• Find accountability partners: “Body doubling” is a productivity strategy where you work with another person to stay focused on a task. This can take place virtually or in person.

Adults with ADHD frequently carry additional burdens of low confidence and poor self-esteem. After a lifetime of belittlement and being under-rated, they internalize these factors into their identity. Research, includng insights from renowned psychiatrists like Dr. Gabor Maté, highlights how carrying these beliefs into adulthood affects all aspects of their lives, from relationships to work to self-care. Along with learning how to live with ADHD, many also require psychotherapy to practice self-compassion, unlearn old habits, and change their views about themselves. Some may need treatment to manage comorbidities of depression and anxiety. 

ADHD In BIPOC and Diverse Communities

Cultural stereotypes, such as the “model minority” myth, perpetuate beliefs that children from some BIPOC and immigrant cultures always excel in school with the potential to graduate into high-paying careers in medicine, finance, engineering and law. Such achievements carry significant weight and serve as markers of family pride and status in the community. For individuals with ADHD, these factors become crushing burdens because they leave little room for healthy discussions and acceptance about differences, neurodivergence and vulnerability.

Furthermore, mental health discussions are taboo in many communities. Even admitting to needing help can signal weakness of character. A diagnosis of ADHD can invite judgment from family, peers, and community members. They will view your struggles with procrastination, organization, or motivation as personality flaws, rather than recognizing that your brain has a common, naturally occurring neurological difference.

This leaves many individuals unsupported and silently carrying their struggles alone. Many mask and hide their symptoms and experience debilitating depression and anxiety for years. Only those with immense inner strength seek support and treatment.

Culturally Responsive, Multilingual Care for ADHD

Studies conducted by leading psychotherapists like Pavna Sodhi confirm that members of immigrant and BIPOC communities are less likely to access formal mental health services compared to non-immigrants due to barriers like stigma, language, and cost. That’s where culturally informed, multilingual therapy becomes essential.

A therapist who understands your culture can acknowledge your experiences without judgment. This cultural familiarity enables them to distinguish mental illness symptoms from everyday cultural expressions, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy. They can also integrate your mental healthcare with resources available in your community. Your pathways to healing can remain close to traditions you are familiar with. They likely have lived experiences and can help you manage the contradictions that arise from wanting to stay close and connected to your family, while exploring avenues for personal growth that feel right for you and your ADHD. And finally, if you are not proficient in English, a therapist who speaks your language can offer a confidential and non-judgemental place where you can be heard and understood.

For over 25 years, Shanti Psychotherapy has actively committed to providing culturally relevant mental health care to clients of all ethnicities, cultural backgrounds and sexual orientations. Our expert team of multicultural and multilingual therapists are familiar with decades of scientifically backed clinical research on the unique needs of immigrants and BIPOC populations in their mental wellness journey. This equips us with the experience and meaningful insights to help children, teens, adults and families understand ADHD with compassion.