Psychiatrist Awais Aftab explains that when clinicians say a patient “has A.D.H.D.,” they are naming a cluster of observable behaviors, not pinpointing a hidden brain defect. He compares the diagnostic process to a physician identifying a genetic mutation, emphasizing the judgment‑based nature of psychiatric labeling.

The essay critiques the reliance on the DSM as a fixed taxonomy. Decades of genetics, imaging and electrophysiology reveal overlapping biological signatures across disorders, so categories function more as convenient shorthand for treatment planning than as distinct disease entities.

Aftab highlights network theory, which views symptoms as mutually reinforcing loops that persist beyond initial stressors. By treating mental distress as a dynamic continuum rather than a binary label, clinicians can tailor interventions to individual personality patterns and life demands, offering patients a more nuanced understanding of their condition.