[T_MacThrowFace]

Aren't you guys talking about an academic and somewhat theoretical definition of the term "spectrum"?

In reality, it means

"But doctor, how can you attach this very serious and stigmatizing diagnosis to my child while skipping half the tests in the official criteria and fudging the numbers to reach some threshold number?"

"Oh don't worry, it's a spectrum, you see"

...

"But doctor, what you just entered into my medical records is not what I told you at all, how can you be sure you're making the correct diagnosis if you're not really listening to what I'm saying, and when you're completely misrepresenting my situation?"

"Well, it's a spectrum you see"

[LoganDark]

I'm using "spectrum" to mean that mild and severe cases of ADHD exist, as well as everything in between.

For example, ADHD controls my life and I was never diagnosed with it until I figured out the symptoms myself, because nobody could ever see me struggling with it - there is no fighting it for me. However for some others, their ADHD is trivially controllable via medicine or habit-forming.