Research Shows What People With ADHD Have Been Saying For Years
Thanks for catching up, academia.
A recent study concluded that ADHD on its own was not a significant cause of mood disorders or mood-related symptoms.
When the researchers controlled for functional problems and executive functioning, the correlation dropped from 48% down to only 15%. Conversely, functional problems and executive functioning accounted for between 42% and 53% of the variance of mood symptoms.
In the discussion section of their paper, the authors went on to conclude:
“…mood symptoms can be seen as a result of coping with the negative outcomes individuals with ADHD experience in daily life.”
If I may say so: No shit, Sherlock.
The neurodivergent community has been trying to explain this to the general population for decades, but at least they’re beginning to catch up.
Neurodivergent activists and academics, such as Harvey Blume and Judy Singer, have been writing about the political perspectives and institutional constructs that contribute to the suffering of neurodivergent individuals since the late 90s.
"Neurodiversity may be every bit as crucial for the human race as biodiversity is for life in general."—Harvey Blume
Even earlier than that, disabled activists like Michael Oliver were making similar points with regards to physical disabilities and lack of accommodation, forming the social model of disability.
In fact, parts of Judy Singer’s thesis about the neurodiversity movement were inspired by those social and political models of disability.
Michael Oliver was a British academic, author, and disability rights activist. His research focused on the social model of disability, and his activism centred on overcoming the systemic barriers disabled people confront in their daily lives.
In his writings, he defined disability as:
“The disadvantage or restriction of activity caused by a contemporary social organisation which takes no or little account of people who have physical impairments and thus excludes them from the mainstream of social activities.” — Michael Oliver
Imagine how much sooner researchers would have reached these same conclusions if they actually listened to the communities about which they write and research, rather than treating us like lab rats, watching us flounder and taking notes.
Returning to the present
The research has identified one of the most significant predictors of mood symptoms, particularly depression. And what is it?
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