A Revolutionary Perspective on Modern Mental Health Labels

Something unprecedented is happening in my clinic

ADHD diagnoses in adults have absolutely skyrocketed, particularly since 2020. What used to be one or two ADHD cases per week has exploded to multiple patients daily. After practicing Traditional Chinese Medicine for over 40 years, I’ve never seen anything like this.

The response to my recent posts about late-onset ADHD was extraordinary. Hundreds of people sharing their stories, debating the causes, questioning what’s really happening and feeling good about having a label to attach to their symptoms. This tells me it’s something significant that deserves deeper exploration.

So here’s some background on what I discovered about the ADHD explosion, based on my observations, within a TCM framework. It includes some interesting research on what’s really driving this surge.

Background ADHD history

Many people think late onset ADHD has been around forever, but here’s the timeline:

• 1798: First symptoms described by Scottish physician Sir Alexander Crichton
• 1968: ADHD first appeared in diagnostic manuals as “hyperkinetic reaction of childhood”
• 1987: The term “ADHD” was introduced
• 1994: First time medicine suggested that ADHD symptoms don’t always disappear in adulthood
• 2008: UK officially recognized ADHD in adults for the first time

Adult ADHD as a recognized medical condition is relatively recent. The idea that ADHD persists into adulthood has only been officially acknowledged for about 30 years.

Here are the numbers that should make us pause:

• Adult ADHD diagnoses increased 123% from 2007 to 2016
• By 2023, an estimated 15.5 million American adults had ADHD
• 1 in 4 U.S. adults now think they have the condition
• During COVID, stimulant prescriptions jumped 30% among people ages 20-39

But this is what really got my attention:

Recent comprehensive research revealed that approximately 95% of people who thought they had “late-onset ADHD” actually had something else when properly assessed.

The most common were symptoms from psychiatric conditions, or substance use or lifestyle factors.

Here’s something else most people don’t realize:

There is no medical test for ADHD.  No blood test,  brain scan or genetic marker. Adult ADHD is diagnosed purely through symptom questionnaires and clinical interviews. People basically tick boxes describing their experiences, and if you meet 5 out of 9 criteria, you get the diagnosis.

The long COVID connection that fascinated me

As I’ve been observing this ADHD explosion, I noticed something interesting: the symptoms people attribute to “late-onset ADHD” are nearly identical to those experienced by people who come to my clinic with long COVID. And both conditions predominantly emerged after 2020.

The ADHD and long covid symptom overlap is about 95%:

• Brain fog and difficulty thinking clearly
• Problems with concentration and focus
• Memory issues and forgetfulness
• Mental fatigue and cognitive exhaustion
• Sleep disturbances
• Anxiety and overwhelm
• Depression and mood changes

What I see in clinic

When I have patients with these symptoms – regardless of whether they’ve been labeled with ADHD, long COVID, there’s similar underlying patterns:

Heart Qi Disturbance

Scattered thinking, inability to focus, anxiety, emotional instability. In TCM, the Heart houses the mind, so disturbance here directly affects mental clarity.

Spleen Qi Deficiency

Brain fog, difficulty concentrating, mental fatigue, feeling unable to “grip” reality. The Spleen governs thinking and mental processing.

Kidney Essence Depletion

Memory problems, deep mental exhaustion, inability to sustain attention. The Kidneys support long-term mental stamina.

Shen Disturbance

Restlessness, sleep problems, emotional volatility, disconnection from sense of self. This represents disconnection from your spiritual center.

Here’s what’s really significant:

These patterns all point to the same underlying cause – the body’s response to unprecedented stress and upheaval.

The past five years have created conditions that take a toll on our organ systems: chronic uncertainty, social isolation, disrupted routines, information overload. Rather than seeing this as pathology, it’s often  the body’s adaptive response to extraordinary circumstances.

The lifestyle connection I see every day

One pattern I consistently observe is the connection between “ADHD” symptoms and lifestyle factors. The Spleen system is particularly sensitive to:

• Irregular eating patterns
• Overthinking and worry
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Poor sleep patterns
• Excessive screen time

When I address these lifestyle factors with patients, their “ADHD” symptoms often improve dramatically without medication.

The problem with labels

While medical labels can provide relief and validation, there’s a potential downside. When we identify strongly with “I have ADHD,” we may unconsciously reinforce limiting beliefs:

• “There’s something fundamentally wrong with me”
• “I need medication to function normally”
• “My symptoms are permanent”

I see symptoms as information – your body’s way of communicating imbalance. Rather than suppressing symptoms, they are guides to restore harmony.

A different approach: Supporting natural balance

Since many “ADHD” symptoms relate to Spleen Qi deficiency, here are foundational practices I recommend:

Dietary Support:

• Eat warm, cooked meals at regular times
• Avoid cold, raw foods that require extra energy to digest
• Include gentle spices like ginger and cinnamon

Lifestyle Rhythm:

• Establish consistent daily routines
• Get morning sunlight exposure
• Create regular sleep and wake times

Mental Hygiene:

• Practice single-tasking instead of multitasking
• Set boundaries around information consumption
• Spend time in nature regularly

The bigger picture

What we’re witnessing isn’t just individual health issues – it’s a collective response to unprecedented global upheaval. The symptoms people are experiencing may be their body’s way of saying “this pace and way of living is unsustainable.”

Rather than pathologizing the response, use it as an opportunity for healing. Address the root causes – stress, disconnection, lifestyle imbalances – this creates possibility for  transformation.

Your body knows how to heal

This perspective doesn’t diminish what people are experiencing. Cognitive difficulties and attention challenges significantly impact quality of life. The question is: how do we most effectively address them?

Lasting healing comes from understanding root patterns, supporting the body’s natural capacity for balance, and addressing lifestyle factors that contribute to dysfunction.

For those finding relief through ADHD medication, this isn’t about stopping what’s working. It’s about considering whether additional approaches might provide deeper, more sustainable healing.

The path forward

Your body knows how to focus, feel calm, and think clearly. Sometimes it just needs the right support to remember how.

The path forward isn’t about managing a condition – it’s about rediscovering your natural state of balance and vitality.

Check out ADHD Rehab for lifestyle treatment!