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When it comes to conditions like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, representation in the media matters. Seeing mental conditions portrayed on television can go a long way in confronting stigmas, making intimidating diagnoses a little less scary, and empowering people to seek professional treatment.
Unfortunately, Hollywood doesn’t always do a good job of getting it right. Instead of shedding light on common conditions and mental illnesses, pop culture portrayals can contribute to misinformation and harmful stereotypes and cause greater confusion. ADHD, for example, is often inaccurately portrayed. In most cases, characters with this condition are young boys who are mischievous, disruptive at school, and have boundless energy. ADHD symptoms are often used as a comedic crutch, which can detract from the seriousness of the condition and the daily frustrations many living with it face.
What Is ADHD?
ADHD is a common mental disorder that makes it difficult for the individual to focus on tasks. The way this condition presents varies from person to person. Some people may appear to be inattentive to tasks while others display impulsiveness and hyperactivity. This condition is generally diagnosed during childhood between the ages of 3-17, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting that about one in 10 kids meet the diagnostic criteria. While this condition is considerably less common in adults, the National Institute of Mental Health indicates that about four percent of adults aged 18-44 have ADHD.
While some children with ADHD undoubtedly have the symptoms we’ve come to expect, the condition presents differently in girls and adults. Instead of hyperactivity and carelessness, ADHD may cause forgetfulness, high sensitivity to stimuli, social withdrawal, and hyperfocus. This condition doesn’t always look the way we’re accustomed to seeing it in television shows and movies, and as a result, those who could benefit from professional help with their ADHD may not even seek screening.
Depictions of ADHD in Hollywood
There are numerous examples of ADHD representation in the media. While some portrayals miss the mark, a few television shows and movies about ADHD provide accurate insight into what it looks like to live with this condition.
Bluey
In the Bluey episode “Army,” the show introduces a character named Jack. Through Jack’s narration, viewers receive a first-hand account of how he gets reprimanded for not sitting still and for forgetting his hat at home. At one point in the episode, Jack tells his new friends that there’s something going on with him, he’s not good at doing what he’s told, and he can’t remember anything. Jack struggles with simple tasks but excels at complex ones, something that many kids with this condition may connect with.
The episode never explicitly states that Jack has ADHD, but his symptoms clearly match the condition. The classroom can be a challenging environment for those who have a hard time sitting still and focusing, and this portrayal of ADHD can be helpful for kids and parents.
Julie & Julia
In the 2009 film Julie & Julia, main character Julie Powell sets out to prepare all 524 recipes in Julia Childs’ famous cookbook, “Mastering the Art of French Cooking,” in one year’s time. She commits to putting her progress, as well as her mistakes, in a dedicated blog. Throughout the film, Julie talks about how she has a difficult time balancing everything in her life, from her ho-hum job to her cooking blog. Because ADHD in adult women is underrepresented, this portrayal can be enlightening for viewers.
30 Rock
NBC sitcom 30 Rock stars Tracy Morgan, who plays a character named Tracy Jordan. The character, which Morgan bases on his own life experiences, tends to be impulsive and unpredictable and shows classic symptoms of ADHD. While Tracy Jordan is generally likeable, his unreliability is an ongoing joke throughout the show’s seven seasons. In an episode in which his ability to read is called into question, other characters suggest coping strategies he may have developed to make up for illiteracy.
The show does a fairly effective job showing what ADHD may look like in adults. However, the character’s symptoms are never addressed, and the show gets a lot of mileage out of showing how inconvenient his unpredictability is for his coworkers.
How I Met Your Mother
How I Met Your Mother, which ran for nine seasons, stars Neil Patrick Harris as Barney Stinson. In the show, Harris’s character stated that he’d been diagnosed with ADHD during childhood. By all indications, this condition followed him into adulthood. Throughout the series, he shows difficulty paying attention, he becomes bored easily with specific tasks, and he tends to talk over people. His impulsivity and excessive talking are often used as comedic devices, and the show never indicates that his ADHD was treated in either childhood or adulthood.
The Simpsons
With 34 seasons, The Simpsons is American primetime television’s longest running scripted show. In this show, which offers a satirical look at American life, the son Bart shows many symptoms of ADHD. Throughout the series, Bart intentionally irritates people, is argumentative, and shows impulsive behaviors. Some episodes also show that he struggles when it comes to mentally challenging tasks, such as tests at school. Often, his behaviors are seen as a nuisance to others. Fortunately, Bart does eventually get professional treatment and is prescribed a medication that positively impacts his performance at school.
Finding Nemo
In Finding Nemo, a well-known and well-loved character named Dory showcases classic moods and behaviors of someone with ADHD. Throughout the movie and its sequel, Finding Dory, Dory has difficulty paying attention, she’s forgetful, and her racing thoughts make her frantic. Her character tends to be relatable for those living with ADHD, and the way others accept her for who she is can help validate those who identify with her.
Does Hollywood Do a Good Job in Portraying ADHD?
While television and movies don’t shy away from portraying ADHD, not all portrayals are accurate or positive. More often than not, a character’s ADHD symptoms provide comedic relief, are nuisances for other characters, and are never properly addressed. However, there are a few instances in which an individual’s ADHD symptoms give them a creative edge and a drive to tackle complex challenges. While there are plenty of shows and movies that perpetuate harmful stereotypes, there are also examples in Hollywood of characters who benefit from treatment, find acceptance among their peers, and learn to navigate challenges.
FHE Can Help
While most television shows and movies prefer to use ADHD as a convenient plot device and rarely show characters getting professional treatment, the good news is that this condition is highly treatable. Many children and adults see significant improvements with counseling and medication therapy and can lead successful lives.
To learn how FHE helps people living with ADHD, contact us today to talk to one of our representatives.
