Attention Different | Adulting with ADHD ADHD Folks Are Struggling 10x Right Now
đź’ˇ Why are so many adults suddenly getting diagnosed with ADHD, and what does it mean for our future?
Today, hosts Stephen Tonti and Aaron Smith dive into one of the biggest mental health shifts of our time: the massive rise in adult ADHD diagnoses since the pandemic.
From telehealth loosening restrictions to TikTok stories going viral, from parents realizing their kids’ struggles mirrored their own to women reporting symptoms at historic rates—the numbers are staggering. New adult ADHD diagnoses rose 53.8% between 2019 and 2021, with women seeing an 84% increase, and adults aged 30-45 experiencing a jaw-dropping 91% rise.
But behind the stats are lived realities. This episode gets real about:
- Why ADHD self-disclosure has become normalized (and what’s lost when stigma drops).
- How telehealth changed the landscape, opening access while raising questions of misdiagnosis.
- ADHD vs. Autism traits: where they overlap, where they diverge, and what “AuDHD” means for adults today.
- Emotional dysregulation, rejection sensitivity, and why neurodivergent adults are more vulnerable in chaotic times.
- The hard truth about boredom, pain, and self-soothing—why ADHDers often struggle with substances and overstimulation.
This is more than a conversation about statistics: it’s about identity, community, and what it means to live through an era where ADHD is finally being seen, named, and understood.
đź“ş Watch the full roundtable now on Attention Different YouTube:
👉 youtube.com/@attentiondifferent
We are Attention DIFFERENT not DEFICIT An advocacy and edutainment podcast centered on radical acceptance and neurodiveristy. Attention Different aims to de-stigmatize and build community by exploring the intricacies of living life and "adulting" with ADHD in the modern world. We periodically feature experts, special guests and influencers in the ADHD community.
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