3 ms·

I don't know if it's only the Baader–Meinhof phenomenon or a real impression but for the past few weeks I've seen a lot of testimony and articles on ADHD (on hn

by luxcem 4y ago

I don't know if it's only the Baader–Meinhof phenomenon or a real impression but for the past few weeks I've seen a lot of testimony and articles on ADHD (on hn and other media). Some friends also started to mention it more than before. I always recognize myself in those testimony and I think it's time to do something about it. So thank you for your message!

zorr 4y ago
I have noticed the same thing lately. I don't think it's Baader-Meinhof as I've seen my personal BM-uptick in ADHD content 2 years ago after my own diagnosis. My theory is that it is a general increase of awareness around both ADHD and autism (and some other neuro-divergencies) in mainstream media. Fueled by the pandemic/lockdown situation which seems to have surfaced a lot of pre-existing ND problems for many people. I'm in Europe and before COVID, going to a therapist was often viewed as only necessary for trauma. During and post-COVID everyone and their dog is seeing a therapist for focus/burnout/anxiety/motivation issues. Which could lead to an increase in diagnoses, which in turn leads to more people talking about it. Feed that into the Twitter/TikTok/Insta feedback-loop combined with the media jumping on it and we get the current situation. It's either that or the vaccines do cause autism... /s
- dataexporter 4y ago
  My guess is that the increase in number of posts related to ADHD could also be attributed to a form of astroturfing by YC Companies (Inflow - one that I had seen being recommended a few weeks back).
  - zorr 4y ago
    That sounds plausible as well and I don't think both theories are mutually exclusive. The Get Inflow LTD was incorporated in May 2020 which loosely fits the above COVID-induced mental health crisis narrative. A worldwide event like that has an impact across various fields. Just like we've seen a general uptick in video-streaming and remote working tech companies since then.
fundad 4y ago
It might be the school calendar. Kids having difficulty and then some time to diagnose and there is a spike of diagnoses in October/November
bobosha 4y ago
Interesting question, if awareness of Baader-Meinhof makes you less/more susceptible to it?

by luxcem 4y ago

zorr 4y ago

I have noticed the same thing lately. I don't think it's Baader-Meinhof as I've seen my personal BM-uptick in ADHD content 2 years ago after my own diagnosis. My theory is that it is a general increase of awareness around both ADHD and autism (and some other neuro-divergencies) in mainstream media. Fueled by the pandemic/lockdown situation which seems to have surfaced a lot of pre-existing ND problems for many people. I'm in Europe and before COVID, going to a therapist was often viewed as only necessary for trauma. During and post-COVID everyone and their dog is seeing a therapist for focus/burnout/anxiety/motivation issues. Which could lead to an increase in diagnoses, which in turn leads to more people talking about it. Feed that into the Twitter/TikTok/Insta feedback-loop combined with the media jumping on it and we get the current situation. It's either that or the vaccines do cause autism... /s

dataexporter 4y ago
My guess is that the increase in number of posts related to ADHD could also be attributed to a form of astroturfing by YC Companies (Inflow - one that I had seen being recommended a few weeks back).
- zorr 4y ago
  That sounds plausible as well and I don't think both theories are mutually exclusive. The Get Inflow LTD was incorporated in May 2020 which loosely fits the above COVID-induced mental health crisis narrative. A worldwide event like that has an impact across various fields. Just like we've seen a general uptick in video-streaming and remote working tech companies since then.

fundad 4y ago

It might be the school calendar. Kids having difficulty and then some time to diagnose and there is a spike of diagnoses in October/November

bobosha 4y ago

Interesting question, if awareness of Baader-Meinhof makes you less/more susceptible to it?