“Everyone’s a bit ADHD” (Myth)

You might’ve heard someone say, “We’re all a bit ADHD these days.” It’s usually meant light-heartedly — but it’s not quite accurate.

Yes, most people get distracted now and then. We all forget things sometimes or feel overwhelmed in a busy world. But ADHD isn’t just about being forgetful or fidgety. It’s a recognised neurodevelopmental condition that affects how the brain manages attention, impulse control, memory, motivation, and energy — often across a lifetime.

For people with ADHD, it’s not an occasional thing. It can affect:

• Relationships
• Work or education
• Sleep and routines
• Emotional regulation
• Day-to-day functioning

It’s not caused by social media or short attention spans. And it’s not a trend or personality quirk.

Saying “everyone’s a bit ADHD” can unintentionally minimise the real challenges — and real strengths — of living with ADHD. It also makes it harder for people to be taken seriously, seek support, or even recognise themselves in the diagnosis.

A better approach? Be curious. Listen to lived experiences. And recognise that while distraction is common, ADHD is much more than that — and deserves to be understood on its own terms.