Adult ADHD in the Digital Age- New Research

Dr. Porrselvi A.P., PhD, Psychologist, Unified Brain Health Care, Chennai

Is it just ADHD, or is there a deeper story?

We are proud to share the findings of our recent retrospective study on adult ADHD in India that we are presenting at INS 2026 at Philadelphia, US. As social media becomes a primary source of mental health information, we are seeing a significant rise in adults seeking a diagnosis. However, our research shows that the clinical picture is often much more complex than what is communicated in a YouTube Short or an Insta reel. A diagnosis is about much more than just checking boxes on a list of symptoms.

Key Findings from our study of 183 adults:

The Impact of Trauma: Adults diagnosed with ADHD reported significantly higher rates of childhood physical and sexual abuse, as well as bullying at both school and home.

Family Dynamics: ADHD was associated with higher rates of neglectful parenting and a significantly lower rate of authoritative parenting during childhood.

The Social Media Influence: While social media drives awareness, many self-referrals are actually influenced by underlying personality vulnerabilities—such as schizoid, anxious, or dependent traits—rather than ADHD alone.

Screening Limitations: Common online tools like the ASRS are highly influenced by a person’s current stress and anxiety levels. While great for awareness, these tests cannot always distinguish ADHD from overlapping emotional or personality-related difficulties.

The Path Forward:
We need a holistic, clinical approach to diagnosis that accounts for childhood symptoms, life experiences, comorbid personality traits, and mood disorders.

Let’s advocate for responsible content creation and comprehensive care to ensure vulnerable individuals receive the accurate support they deserve.

To book an appointment with Dr. Porrselvi A.P., PhD, Psychologist: https://calendar.app.google/DLNnzdtusTbYnsdt9