Why is ADHD still so stigmatised? Australians with the disorder call for greater awareness, support - ABC News

Almost one million Australians are living with ADHD, and many say it's widely misunderstood.

When you think about the type of person who has ADHD, you probably don't picture someone like Rachel.

Chances are you know or have met someone like Rachel who's living with ADHD (there's close to a million Australians with it), but new research has revealed that most Australians with ADHD say the community doesn't know enough about what it's like to live with the disorder.

ADHD Australia surveyed more than 1600 Australians living with ADHD or caring for someone who does.

[In the survey they said] they wanted their teachers, their peers, their employers, to be able to understand that ADHD isn't laziness, it's not being dumb.".

"I think that currently there's not sufficient professional training for GPs or specialists of various kinds to actually understand what ADHD is, and how one can assess and diagnose it

"If you're struggling at work or if you struggle to concentrate, if you feel like it's something more than depression or anxiety, all the adult ADHD helpline, because they do have a list of psychiatrists that they recommend as experts, and find a way to get a referral."