In honour of ADHD Awareness Month, we're excited to share a special short episode on Adult ADHD, presented by Dr. Smita Verma.

The concept of normality is pivotal in diagnosing adult ADHD, as common behaviours like distractibility or impulsivity, universal to human experience, only warrant a diagnosis when they cause significant functional impairment in specific contexts. A global shortage of ADHD stimulants reflects rising demand, with social media platforms like TikTok being one of the contributing factors. On TikTok, #adhdtest videos often oversimplify ADHD, as evident during my research on the quality of information on #adhdtest, presenting normal behaviours like forgetfulness as diagnostic, while trends like “SLAY-DHD” glamorise the condition, encouraging self-diagnosis. Diagnosing adult ADHD is complex due to subjective symptom assessment, necessitating careful differentiation between normal responses to modern life’s demands and pathological symptoms. Clinicians must consider cultural, personal, and environmental contexts, using collateral input to validate childhood impairments and rule out conditions like anxiety or burnout, ensuring accurate diagnosis and judicious stimulant use, given their uncertain long-term safety. 

Dr Smita Verma, MBBS is a psychiatry registrar at Waikato Hospital's Mental Health & Addiction Services in Hamilton, New Zealand, currently pursuing a Certificate in Adult Psychiatry through the RANZCP training program. 

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This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP’s Your Health In Mind Website.