ADHD is rarer than you think

What’s the difference between being distracted and having ADHD? [Healthline]( [Wellness Wire]( IN a nutshell Happy Monday! “Everyone’s a little ADHD,” right? Actually, no, they’re not. This common misconception may seem harmless, but it perpetuates stigma, invalidates folks who have ADHD, and is flat out wrong. Yes, anyone can have trouble focusing, but my fellow ADHDers and I can tell you that this mental health condition is *way* more than getting easily distracted. Let’s debunk this myth by highlighting the prevalence and symptoms of ADHD, along with other common conditions, like burnout and anxiety. Today, we’re also talking about: • [noise-canceling earbuds that help me focus]( • medical gaslighting: what it is and how to spot it • can “giving up” make you more productive? • [more health stories you need]( Be well, Morgan Mandriota Newsletter Editor, Healthline Written by Morgan Mandriota December 12, 2022 • 6 min read [Distraction, ADHD, or something else?]( what’s got us buzzing [Distraction, ADHD, or something else?]( ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, isn’t nearly as common as you might think. Only about [11%]( of children, [8.7%]( of adolescents, and [4.4%]( of adults in the United States live with ADHD symptoms. There are many barriers to receiving a diagnosis that can affect these numbers, but let this data prove the point that everyone is *not* a “little ADHD.” A [recent study]( found that more than half of ADHD-related TikTok videos contain misleading information. Considering the ADHD hashtag has acquired more than 17 billion views, that’s an incredible amount of misinformation circulating on social media. Let’s take a minute to lay out the facts. In addition to trouble focusing, common symptoms of ADHD include forgetfulness, hyperactivity, impulsivity, [executive dysfunction](, and [emotional dysregulation](. On the other hand, [distraction]( can stem from stress, lack of sleep, and even hunger. [Anxiety]( or [burnout]( can lead to difficulty concentrating, too. In short, there are many reasons why you may not be able to focus, and it doesn’t always boil down to having a condition like ADHD. To be clear, I’m all about advocating for people to receive mental health care and pursue a diagnosis. I know just how powerful and validating that can be (read my personal story of how receiving an ADHD diagnosis changed my life [here](). My hope is that more people will stop self-diagnosing by listening to strangers on the internet and actually see a therapist who can address the root of their problems. We’ll all be better for it. tl;dr: Being distracted is *not* the same as having ADHD. Do you think you have ADHD? Take Psych Central’s quiz [here]( to get a better idea. Depending on your result, consider speaking with a therapist. PS: Interested in learning more about ADHD? Easily sign up for our ADHD newsletter by clicking the button below! [Sign up now]( great finds Editor faves with health perks You know those great finds you just *have* to tell your friends about? That’s how we feel about the products we recommend here. Every pick has been [vetted by our editorial team](, and we genuinely think it’ll make your life better. [Apple AirPods Pro]( [Apple AirPods Pro]( AirPods are costly, but the Pro version is one of the greatest investments I’ve ever made. I’m super sensitive to any distractions, including the littlest noises, which can totally disrupt my workflow. These noise-canceling headphones help me stay in the zone. Airpods have multiple noise cancellation modes: Active Noise Cancellation filters out external noise for a blissfully silent experience. Transparency mode lets you hear more of what’s going on around you (ideal for strolls outside when you want quiet but need to maintain situation awareness). And if you want the full range of environmental sounds, Off mode has your back (ears?). AirPods not in your budget at the moment? There are plenty more [affordable noise-canceling headphones available](. [Shop now]( Advertisement [Get support for anxiety and depression online through Hers]( Virtually connect with a medical provider to find a treatment plan that is right for you. No insurance required. [LEARN MORE [→]]( [Get support for anxiety and depression online through Hers]( [Watch out for these sneaky signs of medical gaslighting]( Monday Kick Start [Watch out for these sneaky signs of medical gaslighting]( Gaslighting is commonly talked about in romantic relationships, but this form of emotional abuse can also happen in a medical setting, and it can be traumatic and tricky for patients to navigate. First off, what is it? Medical gaslighting refers to when healthcare professionals inappropriately disregard or downplay a patient’s symptoms or blame them on psychological factors, explains licensed clinical psychologist and member of Healthline’s Medical Network [Matthew Boland](, PhD. He notes that people who identify as female or [LGBTQIA+](, and folks from historically marginalized communities are most likely to be affected. How do you know if you’re experiencing medical gaslighting? It may be difficult to detect and each case is different, but Boland offers this brief list of subtle signs to look out for: • Your doctor spends very little time with you and doesn’t ask multiple follow-up questions about specific symptoms. • Physically painful symptoms or being at high risk of a certain condition are easily written off (think: “ah, it’s nothing”). • You feel your doctor doesn’t understand your symptoms or experiences and makes very little effort to explore further. • Your doctor claims your symptoms are psychological but doesn’t provide a well-reasoned medical explanation for that conclusion. Advocating for your needs to a doctor may not be easy, but it is important. Need help doing it? Check out this list of helpful resources: • [5 tips for advocating for your mental health]( • [how to talk about pain with your doctor]( • [10 ways women can advocate for themselves at the doctor]( Click [here]( to read one person’s story about medical gaslighting. For more general information, consider checking out our explainer on [how to recognize gaslighting and get help](. Health Hype Can “giving up” make you more productive? (Find the answer at the end of this email) health stories you need What we’re reading next [] [Raw honey may lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels.]( This new study offers sweet news for folks looking to improve their blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglyceride health. [Humidifiers vs. vaporizers. Which one is better for you?]( If your nose, eyes, and throat hate dry air, breathe (and feel!) better by adding moisture back into your home with these gadgets. [This urine biomarker may help detect early Alzheimer’s disease.]( Scientists hope these findings will someday lead to testing for early, inexpensive, and accessible detection. [What we know so far about nonhormonal birth control gel.]( When used on ovulating female sheep, this new cervical mucous gel aid blocks 98% of sperm from entering the uterus. Health Hype Answer Can “giving up” make you more productive? Indirectly! Before we dive in here, let’s be very clear about what “giving up” means. We’re referring to being more gentle with yourself and letting go of the need to be productive right now. In our list of [quick focus-boosting tips](, No. 11 is “Be kind to yourself.” Quit beating yourself up for not finishing that task. Instead of yelling at the sky and forcing yourself to get things done, try radically accepting where you are in the present moment. A little kindness can go a long way in making sure you don’t officially give up too soon. Chime in: What’s your favorite strategy for boosting focus? Let us know at wellnesswire@healthline.com. Thanks for reading! On Wednesday, Ginger will be back in your inbox to talk about sleep and immunity. See you then! Until next time, [healthline]( Take care of yourself, and we’ll see you again soon! [Telegram] This edition was powered by tight deadlines that keep my ADHD in check. 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