I think ADD is very real. But I think often the source of the problem is the environment that child (or adult) is in. Often people can’t focus when their life is overwhelming. If a child has an overwhelming life in general, they can develop ADD. The younger the child is when life is overwhelming, the more ADD will stay with them since the brain gets used to tuning out of their environment. If a home life is hard for the child, they may be too distracted in school.
I think this can apply to adults as well. If life is overwhelming for whatever reason, these adults will have the symptoms of ADD especially if their childhood was hard too.
I’m sure people won’t agree with me. And I’m sure people will find actual cases where this doesn’t apply. But I’m equally sure this applies to many ADD children & adults.
Of course ADD medication will help the child/adult focus. But it’s important to get the proper help to either eliminate the part that is hard in the person’s life, or if that isn’t possible, then to teach them how to focus in the present and ignore what was in the past and what will be in the future and anything that is going on in the person’s life. I believe it is possible.