Last updated: December 23rd 2019
It’s common for people to claim that ADHD is fake. Everyone wants to share their opinion on ADHD. Especially when they don’t have any first-hand experience with the condition.
While it’s usually best not to waste your energy on ADHD deniers, you’ll inevitably hear people bring up anti-ADHD talking points in normal conversation.
You’ll hear remarks like:
- ADHD isn’t real
- ADHD is the result of smartphones and technology
- Using ADHD medication is like taking meth – it’s bad for you
If you hear people say any of these things, it’s probably best to ignore them. But, if you’re ever confronted by an ADHD denier, you might choose to clear the air with them.
The following 5 arguments will have even the most brazen ADHD skeptics second-guessing whether ADHD is fake or not…
1. Neuroscientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have proven ADHD’s legitimacy
Many scientists and researchers have validated ADHD’s legitmacy in the past.
But, humans are emotional.
So, proving ADHD’s legitimacy is most persuasive when you tell people that researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) used enhanced brain imaging techniques to discover ‘evidence of a biological basis for adult ADHD’.
You have to name-drop MIT or another famous research institution for people to accept that ADHD is a real biological disorder.
2. Harvard Medical School confirmed that using stimulant medications is ‘relatively safe and effective’ for treating ADHD
The general public is convinced that using stimulant medications to treat ADHD symptoms is the equivalent of taking methamphetamine.
Here’s the thing:
Many people don’t realize that using a low dose of prescription stimulants actually calms the ADHD brain, and provide sufferers with a significantly greater quality of life.
And worst of all, millions of people who don’t even have ADHD try stimulant medications for themselves, feel the opposite effect (getting ‘high’ or ‘tweaked out’), and then complain about the dangers of using prescription ADHD medication.
Meanwhile, researchers from Harvard Health Publications have the following to say about using stimulant medications to treat ADHD symptoms:
Stimulant medications such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and forms of amphetamine (Dexedrine) have been used for decades. They are relatively safe and effective for most children and adults to help them focus their thoughts and control their behavior.
Next time someone warns you about the dangers of using ADHD medication to treat a genuine ADHD diagnosis, just refer them to Harvard Medical School’s official view on the topic.
3. Are anxiety and depression fake medical conditions too?
Because most people can’t see the side effects of ADHD, they tend to dismiss the condition as being imaginary or greatly exaggerated.
But, people rarely see the side effects of anxiety and depression. And yet, anxiety and depression are widely accepted as legitimate medical conditions (rightfully so).
I just wonder what makes anxiety and depression more acceptable issues than ADHD. They’re all serious conditions in their own respect, and should be treated as such.
If someone makes light of your condition, ask them, ‘Do you think anxiety and depression are fake too?’
There’s a decent chance they’ll have no idea how to respond to you…
4. Using only natural medicine to treat ADHD can come with a side effect called ‘opportunity cost’
Some people who don’t have ADHD want to make you feel bad for using ADHD medication.
They might even try to convince you that you should just use natural medicine to treat ADHD symptoms…
While I’m admittedly a big fan of using natural remedies to treat ADHD symptoms, most people aren’t willing to admit that natural remedies have some limitations in the real world:
- If your child doesn’t perform well at school, he might not get into a good college
- If you don’t perform well at work, you might lose your job
- If you can’t properly organize your finances or pay your bills on time, you won’t have the necessary resources for wealth-building opportunities, vacations, or a savings fund
Most people don’t realize that using ADHD medication responsibly, in combination with natural medicine, has the potential to give ADHD sufferers a much more vibrant life.
No more missed opportunities. No more feeling ‘lost’ or spaced out.
High-quality ADHD medication is just a tool that can be used alongside healthy habits to live a more interesting, fulfilling and enjoyable lifestyle.
People who dismiss ADHD as fake have a tough time understanding this. But, it can still be enlightening for them to hear this side of the argument.
5. If ADHD is fake, then why would millions of people lie about having the condition?
While I now appreciate the unique benefits that come with ADHD, I can also appreciate that I probably would’ve been just fine being born without ADHD.
According to Taoism, Mother Nature ensures that the universe is constantly in equilibrium.
- Having ADHD can give you some major advantages and setbacks in life
- Having a normal brain can give you some major advantages and setbacks in life
Everything eventually returns to a point of equilibrium.
So, why would I want people to believe that I have some sort of imaginary condition?
Most people won’t understand that there’s no good reason to imagine that you have ADHD…
But that’s alright.
As long as you’re willing to be realistic about how your own brain and body works, that’s what’s most important.
ADHD Is Fake: 5 Best Arguments To Destroy ADHD Denialists Conclusion
In my experience, most people who have ADHD are simply trying to make sense of why their brain is such a mismatch for the modern day environment.
People with ADHD aren’t looking for sympathy.
Instead, people with ADHD want real-world solutions like good mental and physical health, awesome relationships, a place to call home, and a job they enjoy. Our demands aren’t that needy or complicated.
But, those who claim that ADHD is fake aren’t exactly helping the situation.
It’s time for people to stop ignoring the realities they choose not to see, and start connecting with other human beings – regardless of our differences.
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