Debate article: "ADHD far from a superpower for everyone"

It is good that ADHD is noticed, it is also good that positive aspects of ADHD are raised. But the importance of the environment for the forces to get a flower also needs to be emphasized. Otherwise, you risk giving a skewed and simplified picture of what it is like to live with the diagnosis, and reduce the difficulties that many people live with.

The picture we have is that many are struggling with the consequences of their ADHD. For them, ADHD is not a superpower, it is a disability that causes great suffering and low self-esteem. It is the cause of constant misunderstandings, broken relationships and bills and other papers accumulating on high.

For them, everyday life and everyday life are a daily struggle, as are the condemnations of the environment when you cannot handle the "simple things" of the supervisor.

Failure to sufficiently highlight difficulties one may have due to the disability and consequences that may follow can also lead to the questioning of whether these individuals really need extra support and assistance.

And nothing can be more wrong. There are many studies that show that ADHD and autism, for example, have major consequences for health, the ability to get and keep a job, the relationships with others and the ability to live.

In June, the National Board of Health and Welfare published a report stating that people with ADHD are at increased risk of premature death, suicide, psychiatric co-morbidity but also that there is a connection between ADHD and a number of somatic diseases.

People with ADHD are at higher risk of being exposed to sexual and other abuses and failing to complete studies. Only 40 per cent of men and 36 per cent of women, included in the case study, had a job, 24 and 29 per cent respectively had sickness or activity compensation and a large proportion of financial assistance.

If ADHD is a superpower, then not everyone with ADHD gets part of it.

However, we know that there is an immense potential in people with ADHD, autism and other related conditions. Our society needs to be better at taking advantage of everyone's resources.

ADHD is often associated with another way of thinking, creativity, ability to hyper-focus and work hard when doing something you are interested in, fearlessness and the ability to venture. These are strengths that are valuable in working life and throughout society.

But in order for these to be exhausted and utilized, the environment needs to be favorable to the individual. It is only then that the opportunity to become their best can arise.

But that's far from always. Instead, many are forced to fight for help and understanding; in school, in working life and to receive various community support. And deficiencies in the environment and the ability to provide adequate support all too often result in exhaustion, sick leave and other mental illness.

This is serious. We need political decisions that ensure that care queues are shortened and that the school is developed so that it also works for students with ADHD and other related diagnoses.

We need more trade unions actively working to increase inclusion in our workplaces, as well as curious employers who open their workplaces and ensure that knowledge about ADHD and other neuropsychiatric disabilities is available.

But we also need to hear about people who succeed, despite or thanks to their ADHD. These diagnoses are common and affect our entire society. We all know someone who has ADHD, diagnosed or not. And everyone's response is important.