Why does everyone seem to have ADHD now? Is this overdiagnosed?

It’s not just you — ADHD is being talked about more. Diagnosed more. Better recognised across age, gender, and cultural lines. But that doesn’t mean it’s being overdiagnosed. It means it’s finally being seen.

For a long time, ADHD was misunderstood as a condition that only affected hyperactive little boys who couldn’t sit still. Many people — especially girls, adults, and anyone who masked their struggles — went undiagnosed for decades.

So what’s changed?

We have better diagnostic criteria now.

We understand more about how ADHD shows up across the lifespan, not just in school-aged kids. Executive function, emotional regulation, rejection sensitivity, masking — these are all part of the picture, and they weren’t always included in past definitions.

Awareness has grown through lived experience.

People are sharing their stories online. They’re recognising themselves in others. They’re seeking help earlier. Yes, TikTok has played a role — for better and worse. But at its best, it has helped people feel less alone and take the first steps toward clarity.

Access has changed.

In some places, private assessments are more available. In others, long waitlists and systemic bias still block access — especially for Māori, Pasifika, and those in rural or lower-income communities. Overdiagnosis isn’t the problem. Underdiagnosis still is.

So no, it’s probably not overdiagnosed. It’s just that for the first time, people who were always ADHD are being seen. And when you don’t see something for a long time, it feels like a sudden flood when it finally comes into focus.

You’re not imagining it. You’re also not late to the party. You’re exactly on time.