This interview comes from the stern archive and first appeared on February 21, 2023.
Almost everyone is aware of ADHD these days, but very few people really know what it is all about. How can you imagine the whole thing? There are two subtypes of the disorder: ADD and ADHD. This means that the known hyperactivity is not present in some patients. ADD patients are more likely to suffer from impulsivity or constant attention. These are often people who are very imaginative. This isn’t as noticeable from the outside as the active boy who just does nonsense all the time.
You’re talking about boys… I say boy deliberately because the dreamy subtype is more common in girls. Girls with ADD are often smart and can therefore compensate for some deficits. They also generally do well at school. Sometimes they are even underchallenged due to their quick comprehension. But because they cause few problems, they don’t get the support that, for example, the hyperactive boy who immediately attracts attention gets.
These are the women who are only diagnosed as adults? Exactly. Those affected often only realize later in their lives that their biography is somehow fragile, for example that they have constantly changed partners or professions.
How does AD(H)S specifically affect the lives of those affected?
Access to all STERN PLUS content and articles from the print magazine
ad-free
Already registered?
