Is ADHD a mental illness?

Q. My daughter was recently diagnosed with ADHD. Another parent told me that ADHD is considered a mental illness! Is that accurate?

A. The technical answer is yes. 

ADHD is included in the DSM-V TR. This is the handbook that health care professionals use to diagnose mental disorders. So, in the broadest sense, ADHD may be considered a mental illness. It’s not that simple, though.

In the handbook, ADHD falls under a category called “neurodevelopmental disorder,” or NDD. This description can be very helpful for parents and for people who have ADHD and don’t consider the condition to be a mental illness.

An NDD is a difference in a person’s brain that affects how a person manages daily life activities. ADHD involves differences in brain wiring and chemistry, and also in how certain skills develop. Kids with ADHD struggle with skills like attention, focus, impulse control, social awareness, and executive function.

When most people think of mental illness, that’s not what comes to mind. They usually think of conditions that cause significant emotional problems. Two common ones are anxiety and depression.

That’s not to say that ADHD doesn’t cause emotional challenges. Kids with ADHD often feel strong emotions and have trouble regulating them. Some may also have sensory sensitivities that can lead to meltdowns. And kids with ADHD are at higher risk for mood challenges, especially if they don’t get support for their ADHD.

Many people view ADHD as part of a category that isn’t part of the DSM — neurodivergence. By using that term, they define ADHD as a natural variation in how the brain functions. 

The terms you use to define and describe ADHD are totally up to you — and your daughter, when she’s ready to self-identify. What matters most is that you understand your daughter’s differences and get her whatever support she needs.

Get information about treatment for ADHD. Learn about accommodations at school that can support your child. And discover strategies you can use to help your child at home.