Dedicating an entire month to a single issue demonstrates the profound seriousness of the cause. It recognises that a single day of lip service is not enough to cut through the noise and a longer effort is needed to make people truly pay attention. This is precisely why October has been designated as a month to shine light on ADHD, a condition that is too often brushed off as a simple lack of discipline or, worse, a figment of the imagination.
Nowhere is this awareness more crucial than in Bangladesh where mental health rarely receives the attention afforded to physical illness. The latest national mental health survey from five years ago revealed that about 18 per cent of adults and 13 per cent of adolescents suffer from some form of mental health condition. While awareness is slowly growing, limited access to proper diagnosis and treatment keeps old misconceptions alive and well. Too often, unless someone completely loses the grip on reality, society refuses to see mental health as a medical issue at all.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, stands as a telling example of collective misconception. It exists, but few recognise it. While we have no local data to prove the scale of the problem, global figures make it clear that it cannot be rare. The Nuffield Trust estimates that around four per cent of people in England live with ADHD. Rates are reportedly higher in the United States, though possible over-diagnosis may influence the figure. With a global average of three to four per cent, there is little reason to think the rate in Bangladesh would be any different.
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, meaning it affects how the brain develops and functions. For years it was misunderstood as a childhood condition that mainly affects boys who appear restless or inattentive in class. However, research now confirms that ADHD often persists into adulthood. Many adults receive a diagnosis only later in life, after years of unexplained struggle. Crucially, ADHD is not a lack of attention but a difficulty in regulating it. Some affected individuals are primarily inattentive, others more hyperactive and many experience both tendencies. This wide range of symptoms means ADHD can look very different from person to person, which is precisely why greater awareness and accurate diagnosis are so essential.
The challenges of ADHD are made even tougher by today's fast-paced world. In many Bangladeshi households where both parents work long hours, smartphone has become a default digital babysitter. While a convenient solution, this can be particularly detrimental to a child with ADHD. The endless stream of short videos and reels trains the brain to crave constant excitement, depleting the patience required for sustained focus. Then comes the education system, which only adds fuel to the fire. Our classrooms, with their rigid obsession with rote memorisation and silent obedience, are a poor fit for any creative mind, but for a neuro-diverse learner, they are a prison. A child who learns best through movement or hands-on exploration is instantly branded as troublemaker. With teachers untrained in neurodiversity and schools offering zero flexibility, is it any wonder that these bright, energetic children end up feeling alienated and defeated in a system that refuses to see their strengths?
Parents, unaware of the root cause of their child's behaviour, may respond with harsh discipline, unintentionally exacerbating the child's feelings of inadequacy. It is important for them to understand that ADHD has nothing to do with low intelligence or a lack of willpower. Many with the condition have gone on to achieve remarkable things by learning to channel their energy and creativity into productive outlets. The beloved fictional hero Percy Jackson, for instance, had ADHD. In real life, figures like Will Smith, Emma Watson and Michael Phelps have spoken openly about their diagnoses. Phelps has shared how ADHD made school a struggle but never held him back from breaking world records. Even Bill Gates has acknowledged his own experiences, leading many to view it not merely as a disorder but as a different way of thinking.
This is why getting a proper diagnosis is so important. It not only gives a name to a lifelong struggle but also reassures people that they are not broken, only wired differently. This clarity allows individuals to stop fighting against their own minds and start playing to their strengths. In Bangladesh, however, getting an ADHD diagnosis is easier said than done. Psychiatrists are few in number, and their fees place them out of reach for the average family. A handful of psychological health and wellness centres offer assessments, but their capacity barely scratches the surface of the national need.
Those who have managed to get a diagnosis often voice frustration over the unavailability of medication. Some of the most effective ADHD drugs are banned in Bangladesh due to their addictive potential. Ironically, methamphetamine, widely abused as Yaba and responsible for ruining countless young lives, is used in controlled doses elsewhere to treat ADHD. This contradiction raises uncomfortable questions about the relationship between untreated ADHD and substance abuse, though more research is needed to draw definitive conclusions.
The silver lining is that medication is just one piece of the puzzle. Therapy and behavioural interventions have proven to be just as effective, if not more so, in managing the condition. A mix of behavioural therapy, classroom adjustments, family counselling, and, where appropriate, medication has helped countless people live full and meaningful lives.
Parents must be at the heart of any awareness effort, as children with ADHD are at higher risk of anxiety and depression if left unsupported. Many parents fear that a psychological diagnosis will stigmatise their child, but recognition actually opens the door to understanding and practical solutions. A diagnosis does not limit a child's potential but rather helps map out the specific kind of support they need to thrive.
As October unfolds, it offers a chance to begin this long-overdue national conversation. The stigma around ADHD will only fade when talking about it becomes as ordinary as discussing a common cold or a fever.
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