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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, better known as ADHD, is one of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions in the world. It is most often diagnosed in childhood, but the symptoms of ADHD persist throughout adolescence and adulthood in most cases.
If you or your child has been recently diagnosed with ADHD, you probably have a lot of questions about this condition. One of the biggest questions people have is whether ADHD is classified as a mental disorder or a disability—and the answer might surprise you!
What Is ADHD?
ADHD stands for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. It is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects a person’s ability to regulate their emotions, concentrate, participate in social activities, and control their impulses.
While ADHD is usually diagnosed during the early school years when a child starts having trouble focusing on their studies and building friendships, this disorder may remain undiagnosed until later in life. Every person is unique, and their ADHD symptoms may vary—some people are mostly hyperactive, while others primarily struggle with inattentiveness.
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Is ADHD a Disorder?
Yes, ADHD is considered a mental disorder. The American Psychiatric Association includes ADHD in the list of mental disorders in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)—the manual used by healthcare providers to diagnose mental health conditions.
ADHD is a brain disorder—it affects the development of the brain and a person’s ability to function when their symptoms are not addressed. Fortunately, there are various treatment options patients and their caregivers may consider to manage ADHD—from therapy to medication.
Is ADHD a Disability?
Under the federal law of the United States, ADHD is recognized as a disability. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a person is considered to have a disability if they have a physical or mental impairment that limits their life activities—this definition covers ADHD.
It is important to note that you do not have to have ADHD to be protected by the ADA. Nevertheless, if your ADHD diagnosis is disclosed to your employer, you may be able to ask for reasonable accommodations in the workplace—flexible hours, extra breaks, and a quiet workstation, among other things.
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Can People With ADHD Get Disability Benefits?
Individuals diagnosed with ADHD may be eligible for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). If ADHD symptoms prevent you from getting or keeping a job, you can apply for financial assistance from the government.
To be able to get disability benefits for ADHD, you will have to submit the results of your ADHD evaluation to the SSA—they must include a diagnosis from a qualified medical professional and a list of symptoms you have together with their impact on your daily life. You may want to hire a lawyer to prepare your application and increase your chances of success.
How to Help Someone With ADHD
Whether you are a parent of a child with ADHD or you have a friend who has recently been diagnosed with this disorder, there are ways to support the person you care about:
● Learn more about ADHD. Educate the person with ADHD and their peers—for example, their teachers and friends—about this disorder to make them understand the behavior of the individual with ADHD and be more patient with them.
● Focus on the strengths of the person. ADHD comes with unique advantages—the person may be more creative and energetic than their non-ADHD peers. Build up the confidence of the individual by pointing out the positives of their personality.
● Provide and listen to feedback. If you are close with the person with ADHD, talk to them regularly to understand what bothers them and what helps them do well—at school, at work, and in social situations.
Work together with a mental health provider to figure out the best treatment plan for the person you care about—therapy sessions and medication tailored to the individual may do wonders for their progress.
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FAQs
What type of disorder is ADHD?
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects a person’s behavior and may impede their progress at school and work when it remains untreated.
Is ADHD classified as a mental illness?
ADHD is included in the list of mental disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)—it is officially considered a mental illness.
Why is ADHD considered a disability?
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), ADHD is a disability since it is a mental impairment that limits a person’s major life activities.
Does ADHD qualify for disability benefits?
It is possible to get disability benefits for ADHD—as long as you can demonstrate to the Social Security Administration your symptoms prevent you from working, you may qualify for financial aid.
How to support a person diagnosed with ADHD?
You can help an individual with ADHD by educating them about their disorder, advocating for workplace accommodations, and enrolling them in therapy.
Navigate ADHD With Professionals
We hope that our guide was able to clarify the disorder vs. disability dilemma—technically, ADHD falls under both categories. This neurodevelopmental disorder should not hold you or your child back—as long as you work out a personalized treatment plan and get adequate support, the symptoms of ADHD can be managed.
Reach out to Lonestar Mental Health to get in touch with mental health experts who will be able to diagnose ADHD and assist you on your treatment journey.
