ADHD Experts Podcast Episode 580

Title: Debunking Myths and Misperceptions of ADHD: How to Influence Naysayers
Date: October 21, 2025
Host: Carol Fleck (B), Attitude magazine
Guest: Dr. William Dodson (C), Board Certified Psychiatrist

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dr. William Dodson—a pioneering psychiatrist specializing in ADHD—tackles the most pervasive myths and misconceptions about ADHD, with a focus on giving listeners practical tools to handle "naysayers." The conversation delves into the science of ADHD, why misinformation persists, the realities of diagnosis and treatment, and ways to advocate effectively for oneself or loved ones. Dr. Dodson draws on extensive clinical and research experience to arm listeners with strategies, validation, and evidence.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Importance of Science in Understanding ADHD

• ADHD as a Scientific Diagnosis (01:32):
  Dr. Dodson emphasizes that ADHD is well-established in medical science. Despite persistent public debates, ADHD has not been controversial within professional circles for over 25 years.

  “ADHD as a diagnosis is no longer controversial. It has not been controversial for more than 25 years, although you would never believe that to listen to some of the stuff that's out there.” — Dr. Dodson (03:38)

• Science vs. Misinformation:
  Public myths stem from highly inflammatory campaigns and “mean-spirited” (mendacious) attacks, not grounded in research.

2. Types of ADHD Skeptics & Strategies for Addressing Them

• Two Types of Skeptics (04:53):

  • The genuinely curious—often newly diagnosed or with a family member affected.
  • The argumentative naysayers (“Uncle Fred” types) who are not open to information.

• How to Handle Naysayers (05:30):
  Ask, “What do you know and how do you know it?” to expose lack of evidence in their positions.

  “If you find somebody who just basically is pontificating about it, just walk away if you can. Sometimes you can't though.” — Dr. Dodson (05:18)

• Know When to Walk Away:
  Dr. Dodson warns that facts generally do not sway entrenched critics; prioritize your own well-being and advocacy.

3. The Real Nature of ADHD

• Universal Recognition (07:03):
  All major medical bodies recognize ADHD and stimulant medications as first-line treatments.

• Diagnosis Limitations (08:14):
  There are no blood tests or scans for ADHD, but that is true for most psychiatric conditions. Diagnoses are based on consistent behavioral observations.

• Impairments and Persistence (14:15):
  For ADHD to be diagnosed, symptoms must be persistent, lifelong, and cause significant impairment—not merely occasional traits experienced by anyone.

4. Addressing Myths about Parenting, Diagnosis, and Over-Pathologizing

• Myth: ADHD Is Bad Parenting or Normal Behavior (12:01):
  Referencing the MTA study, Dr. Dodson notes that expert-delivered intensive behavioral interventions did not “fix” ADHD, debunking myths of blame.

  “The notion that ADHD is just normal behavior labeled by uninformed parents or overwhelmed teachers appears not only implausible but preposterous.” — Dr. Dodson (12:48)

• Symptoms Across the Lifespan:
  ADHD’s core features are stable over a lifetime. Diagnostic criteria are behavioral for now, but emotional dysregulation is being recognized as more impairing—especially among teens and adults.

5. Gender Disparities and Missed Diagnoses

• Women and Girls Are Underdiagnosed (17:25):
  Historically ignored or dismissed, women with ADHD tend to have high intelligence but suffer shame and low self-esteem due to chronic misrecognition.

  “Most women with ADHD have a history of being clearly distressed their entire lives but nobody figured out what the cause was … women, girls, were not included in an ADHD study until the year 2000.” — Dr. Dodson (18:20)

• Inattentive & ‘Quiet’ ADHD (20:16):
  Many girls and women fly under the radar due to less overt symptoms.

6. Inconsistency: Not Deficit, But Difference

• ADHD as Neurodiversity (23:05):
  ADHD is increasingly understood as a different type of nervous system—neurodiversity—rather than simply a deficit. Performance is context-dependent.

  “ADHD is much more being seen as a second type of nervous system … works perfectly well, but it works by its own set of rules and methods.” — Dr. Dodson (23:44)

• Why Non-Medication Therapies Often Fail:
  Most are “try harder” interventions, which fail for ADHD because the issue is not effort, but engagement.

7. Why Are More People Diagnosed Now?

• Better Awareness, Especially for Women (26:19):
  The rise in diagnoses is due to better recognition of inattentive subtypes and decreased stigma, not over-diagnosis or pharmaceutical conspiracies.

• Underdiagnosis Remains a Problem:
  Studies routinely show at least half of ADHD cases—especially in adults—are missed.

  “There's nothing to believe or support the fact that the assertion that ADHD is either over-diagnosed or over-treated. Everything points exactly in the other direction, dramatically so.” — Dr. Dodson (32:03)

8. The Stakes of Untreated ADHD

• Reduced Life Expectancy (34:09):
  Untreated ADHD shortens life by roughly 13 years—comparable to Type 1 diabetes.

• Risks:

  • 400% higher rates of substance use disorder and serious injuries.
  • Greater risk of justice system involvement, academic failure, social exclusion, relationship breakdown (36:43).
  • Social isolation, especially for children:

    “70% of children with untreated ADHD reported that they did not have a single friend.” — Dr. Dodson (39:43)

• ADHD Does Not “Go Away” With Age (43:09):

  • It is a lifelong, genetic, neurological disorder.

9. Fears Around Medication: Facts vs. Fiction

• Medication is Safe & Effective (48:05):

  • Stimulants have an “effect size” of 1.88—triple the average psychiatric medication.
  • Most side effects are mild, reversible or can be addressed by adjusting medication or molecule.

• Dispelling Myths (52:20):

  • The idea that stimulants cause cardiovascular problems, growth retardation, or increased substance abuse is not supported by research.
  • Controlled substance classification was a political, not medical, decision.

• Access to Qualified Care is a Major Barrier (56:57):
  Lack of ADHD-specific training for pediatricians and psychiatrists remains a bottleneck.

10. Self-Advocacy and Advocacy for Others

• Advocating in Medical Settings (59:50):
  Most physicians lack sufficient ADHD expertise; patients/families may have to bring resources to educate their providers.

  “Remember that you will probably know more about ADHD than your doctor does … No one will do it for you. Passive people get bad medical care.” — Dr. Dodson (60:46)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Quote on Public Naysayers:

  “Everybody, somewhere in their lives, has a person who goes through life constantly telling everybody else they're wrong. Now, they are described in my family as ‘often in error, but never in doubt.’” — Dr. Dodson (04:53)

• On The Experience of Engagement:

  “If I can get started and stick with it, I can do anything.” — Dr. Dodson’s universal patient response when asked if they’ve ever found a task they couldn’t do when engaged (22:08)

• On Parental Fears and Medication:

  “ADHD is a very serious, potentially lethal entity ... on average, a person with untreated ADHD lowers their life expectancy… almost 13 years less life.” — Dr. Dodson (34:09)

Q&A Highlights and Practical Takeaways

Managing Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) (62:32)

• Stimulants rarely help RSD. Alpha agonists (guanfacine, clonidine) help about 60% of cases when both are tried.

Responding to Relatives, Teachers, and Naysayers (64:04)

• For the genuinely curious:
  Share your journey, emphasize unseen struggles, point to genetic patterns.

  “You don't know what it took for me to get this far with no help at all. School didn’t help, Congress didn’t help, you didn’t help.” — Dr. Dodson (64:50)

• For the blame-seeking or mean-spirited:
  Set boundaries, ask if they are truly open to information (“What would it take for you to listen?”). If not, avoid fruitless debates.

When Family Refuses ADHD Treatment (70:24)

• Appeal to Future Accountability:

  “Your child is going to come to you and ask… ‘You knew or you had reason to know … and you did nothing?’ Most parents, in order to avoid that, will at least okay a trial.” — Dr. Dodson (70:45)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• ADHD science & social attacks: 01:32–07:30
• Handling skeptics: 04:53–07:00
• Diagnosis and criteria: 08:14–12:25
• Parenting & "normal behavior" myth: 12:01–14:30
• Women and ADHD underdiagnosis: 17:25–20:35
• What ADHD inconsistency really means: 20:16–23:51
• Why diagnoses are increasing: 26:19–30:30
• Consequences of untreated ADHD: 34:09–39:50
• Medication facts vs. fears: 48:05–59:50
• Self-advocacy: 59:50–61:05
• Managing RSD: 62:32–63:55
• Communicating with skeptics: 64:04–66:50
• Addressing refusal of treatment: 70:24–72:42

Tone & Style

Dr. Dodson speaks with candor, humor, and empathy—mixing clinical authority with patient advocacy and validation. He does not mince words on the scientific consensus and the costs of misinformation but shows understanding for the emotional battles faced by patients and families.

Resources

• More episode resources and slides: attitudemag.com, episode 580
• Recommended reading: Search “RSD” and “Alpha agonists” at Attitude Magazine’s site.
• Checklist tool: Vanderbilt diagnostic checklist is recommended for families.

Summary prepared for those seeking clear, actionable insights and validation in navigating ADHD diagnosis, treatment, and advocacy — whether for oneself, a child, or someone else.