How the ‘high-functioning’ label masks ADHD at a high cost“高功能”标签如何以高昂代价掩盖多动症
How the high-functioning label can mask ADHD and why diagnosis matters for better understanding and support. Read more at straitstimes.com.
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In Your Opinion Podcast
Classic ADHD stereotypes, like physical hyperactivity, can cause many to be overlooked and turn to maladaptive coping.
Published Oct 07, 2026, 06:00 PM
Updated Oct 07, 2026, 06:00 PM
Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day.
Despite the boom in online conversation about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in recent years, the neurodevelopmental condition is still largely misunderstood due to its name. Experts say those with ADHD don’t lack attention, as much as they lack the ability to regulate it.
With October being ADHD awareness month, features correspondent Grace Yeoh speaks with Dr Ong Mian Li, a clinical psychologist and the founder of private practice Lightfull Psychology, in this episode of In Your Opinion. Both were diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood.
Together, they explore the invisible challenges of ADHD, particularly when one is seen to be “high-functioning” — the ability to manage the condition on their own while delivering results like neurotypicals. They argue that when society still expects classic behavioural signs, such as physical hyperactivity, many who need support may go underdiagnosed, developing potentially maladaptive coping mechanisms.
The conversation also highlights practical ways to seek and offer support, ultimately reframing diagnosis as a step toward better understanding of neurodivergence.
Highlights (click/tap above):
0:46 Reframing ADHD as an attention regulation issue instead of a deficit
3:41 Reflecting on childhood signs after a diagnosis later on in life
7:03 Difference in symptoms between boys and girls
11:11 Transitions can be challenging for those with ADHD
17:24 The problem with the high-functioning label
23:53 When scepticism affects support given
28:14 Common coping mechanisms among those who may be overlooked
40:02 When an ADHD diagnosis shouldn’t be disclosed at the workplace
45:13 Practical ways to support someone with ADHD
49:30 Seeking an assessment as the start of self-acceptance
Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH
Host: Grace Yeoh ( graceyeoh@sph.com.sg )
Produced and edited by: Teo Tong Kai
Executive producers: Danson Cheong & Lynda Hong
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你的观点播客
典型的 ADHD 刻板印象，例如身体过度活跃，会导致许多 ADHD 患者被忽视，并转向不适应的应对方式。
发布于2026年10月7日下午6:00
更新于2026年10月7日下午6:00
简介：引人深思的对话和访谈。每周三，《你的观点》节目都会采访思想家、领袖以及那些影响我们生活和时事热点的人士。
尽管近年来网络上关于注意力缺陷多动障碍（ADHD）的讨论激增，但由于其名称，这种神经发育障碍仍然很大程度上被误解。专家表示，ADHD患者并非缺乏注意力，而是缺乏调节注意力的能力。
十月是多动症宣传月，本期《你的看法》节目中，特约记者杨慧玲采访了临床心理学家、Lightfull Psychology私人诊所创始人王敏莉博士。两人都是在成年后被诊断出患有多动症。
他们共同探讨了注意力缺陷多动症（ADHD）带来的隐形挑战，尤其当患者被视为“高功能”时——即能够独立应对病情并取得与神经典型人群相仿的成绩。他们认为，当社会仍然期望看到诸如肢体过度活跃等典型的行为表现时，许多需要帮助的人可能会被漏诊，从而发展出潜在的不良应对机制。
对话还重点介绍了寻求和提供支持的实用方法，最终将诊断重新定义为更好地了解神经多样性的一个步骤。
亮点（点击/轻触上方）：
0:46 将多动症重新定义为注意力调节问题，而不是缺陷
3:41 反思童年时期的迹象，以及晚年被确诊后的经历
7:03 男孩和女孩的症状差异
11:11 对于患有注意力缺陷多动障碍的人来说，过渡时期可能会充满挑战
17:24 高功能标签的问题
23:53 当怀疑影响支持时
28:14 容易被忽视人群的常见应对机制
40:02 何时不应在工作场所披露多动症诊断
45:13 支持多动症患者的实用方法
49:30 寻求评估是自我接纳的开始
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主持人：杨慧玲 ( graceyeoh@sph.com.sg )
制作及剪辑：张同凯
执行制片人：郑丹森和洪琳达
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