Emma Baker reveals ADHD is far worse than romanticized stereotypes suggest
The disorder is like 'degenerative diabetes of the brain', not just fidgeting.
Emma Baker, writing on her Substack (linked via LessWrong), delivers a stark reframing of ADHD that challenges both romanticization and willpower myths. She aligns with Dr. Russell Barkley's characterization of untreated ADHD as 'degenerative diabetes of the brain'—a chronic, debilitating condition that undermines life outcomes statistically, not a source of quirky advantages. Baker criticizes the 'indigo children' narrative and the parade of successful people crediting ADHD, arguing that no counterfactual proves they wouldn't have succeeded even more with treatment. For her, ADHD is not 'Fidgeting in Your Seat Disorder'; it is a severe executive function impairment that makes basic tasks—like reading a book or attending a lecture—near impossible without medication.
Treating ADHD effectively is far harder than putting on glasses, Baker explains. Finding the right medication and dosage requires remembering to take it consistently, managing interactions with sleep, appetite, menstrual cycles, and other drugs, and scheduling endless appointments. She personally has trialed six medications with no long-term sustainable solution, relying instead on office hours and LLMs to learn. Family members with ADHD have needed eight years to finish a four-year degree. Baker's core message: treat disclosure of ADHD with gravity, not mythologization, to reduce harm and encourage proper treatment.
- Dr. Russell Barkley calls untreated ADHD 'degenerative diabetes of the brain'—a chronic, severe condition, not a quirky disorder.
- Medication management is complex: remembering to take meds consistently, handling side effects, and finding the right dosage—unlike glasses, there's no one-size-fits-all fix.
- Baker personally trialed six ADHD medications without finding a sustainable option, relying on office hours and LLMs to learn instead of lectures.
Why It Matters
Challenging romanticized views of ADHD can improve treatment adherence and reduce real-world harm for millions.