ADHD Disclosure: Should You Tell People About Your Diagnosis?

Should You Tell People You Have ADHD? What You Need to Know

Deciding whether to disclose your ADHD can be a tough and deeply personal choice. While sharing your diagnosis might lead to support and understanding, it can also open the door to judgment, stigma, or even unintended consequences. So how do you know when (or if) you should tell someone?

In this episode of ADHD Support Talk, Tara McGillicuddy and Lynne Edris dive deep into the topic of ADHD disclosure, exploring the why, when, how, and who of sharing your diagnosis. Whether you’re considering telling an employer, a family member, or a friend, this discussion will help you make an informed decision.

Why Disclosure Matters (And Why It Doesn’t Always Help)

Many adults with ADHD wrestle with whether they should share their diagnosis. On one hand, opening up about ADHD can lead to understanding, accommodations, and a sense of relief. On the other, disclosure can sometimes backfire, especially in environments where ADHD is misunderstood.

Tara and Lynne discuss important factors to consider before disclosing, including:
✅ What do you hope to gain from sharing?
✅ Who are you telling, and what is their likely response?
✅ Could disclosure lead to unintended consequences, like workplace discrimination?
✅ Can you get what you need (such as accommodations) without mentioning ADHD?

Navigating ADHD Disclosure at Work

Workplace disclosure is one of the biggest concerns for adults with ADHD. While laws in some countries protect employees from discrimination, disclosure can still be risky. This episode explores strategies for approaching ADHD disclosure at work, including:
🔹 When to disclose and when to stay private
🔹 How to ask for accommodations without labeling yourself
🔹 Protecting yourself legally and emotionally

Talking to Family & Friends About ADHD

Disclosing ADHD to loved ones is different from workplace disclosure. However, not everyone will respond with empathy and support. Some may dismiss ADHD, minimize your struggles, or even use it against you. This episode covers:
✔️ How to frame ADHD in a way that fosters understanding
✔️ Why timing matters—when NOT to disclose
✔️ Alternatives to saying “I have ADHD” (focusing on how your brain works instead)

Dealing with Judgment & Ignorance

What do you do when someone responds to your ADHD disclosure with ignorance or negativity? Tara and Lynne discuss strategies for handling dismissive comments like:
🚫 “ADHD isn’t real.”
🚫 “Everyone has a little ADHD.”
🚫 “You’re just using ADHD as an excuse.”
Learn how to protect your energy, pick your battles, and avoid frustration when dealing with skeptics.

Final Thoughts: Should You Tell People You Have ADHD?

Ultimately, ADHD disclosure is a personal decision—and it’s okay to be selective about who you tell. The key takeaway? Know your audience, understand your goals, and protect your emotional well-being.

🔗 Links & Resources

📌 Tara McGillicuddy’s ADHD Resources – www.taramcgillicuddy.com
📌 Lynne Edris’ Productivity Coaching – www.coachingadvantages.com
📌 Find ADHD-Friendly Online Events – www.addclasses.com
📌 ADHD Workplace Disclosure Guide – CHADD Resource
📌 ADA Workplace Rights for ADHD (U.S.) – EEOC.gov

Podcast Co-Host Lynne Edris helps overwhelmed professionals take control of their time and tackle their to-dos with ease so they have more time, more energy, and more money for what they love most! As a woman with ADHD herself, she has been where her clients are and come out the other side, so to speak. She’s gone from living in a constant state of chaos and under-performance to a life full of success and fulfillment, and wants to help you achieve your version of success as well! Learn more about her 90-day “Get it Done” program to help you solve your struggles with avoidance, overwhelm and procrastination once and for all by addressing them at the real, root cause of “what’s going on between your ears” at www.ProcrastinationProgram.com . You can learn more about Lynne and contact her through her website at www.CoachingADDvantages.com. 

Tara McGillicuddy is described by those who know her – clients, fellow leaders, and community – as dedicated to the deep, soulful energetic-level shifts required by life. Whether she’s helping to SEE your life more clearly, identify where you’re stuck, tuning into sacred energies OR she’s helping to build a practical life with tools, structure, physical help and precise action steps, she is committed to giving everything she knows to help you live your best life and to feel fulfilled by it.

Tara has been known and celebrated in the ADHD community for decades of practical and long-lasting shifts in tens of thousands in her communities. The creator of ADDClasses.com, The ADHD Awareness Expo and ADHD Support Talk Radio Tara is one of the longest-standing leaders in the field. Over the years she has also honed her natural skills as an empath. She now also combines the rare gift of sight and energetic knowing and her latest project is Empath Now a resource to help Empower Empaths.

ADHD Support Talk Radio is an award winning Podcast for Adults with ADD / ADHD. Co-hosts Tara McGillicuddy and Lynne Edris are joined by Adult ADHD experts and they cover important topics related to Adult ADD / ADHD. Podcast guests include Dr. Edward Hallowell, Dr. Stephanie Sarkis, Dr. Ari Tuckman, Laurie Dupar, Terry Matlen and many more.

Tara McGillicuddy is the Producer, Owner and Co-host of the ADHD Support Talk Radio Podcast. You may contact Tara with general questions or feedback about the podcast.

Lynne Edris is the Co-host of the ADHD Support Talk Radio Podcast. You may contact Lynne with feedback about her episodes.

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