Yes most certainly just as severe as other forms of psychopathology. This condition affects all the major domains of individual functioning (social, occupational, and academic). Most people with ADHD feel as though they are driven by a motor and cannot control themselves. Sitting in a classroom or engaging in cognitively demanding tasks are especially daunting. Accomplishing goals becomes difficult if not impossible for the true ADHDer. Establishing relationships or friendships is difficult because either the people get turned off by their behavior or the person gets bored of them.

On top of that many with ADHD are at risk of dropping out of school, engaging in risky behavior, and substance abuse. There's also a great deal of conflicts with the law as well. Those who start working have problems balancing tasks and sticking to deadlines. Time management is a foreign concept to people like us. Essentially, we are hunters in a farmer's world, both traits are not compatible with each other. Some with ADHD are exceptionally brilliant but cannot materialize their ideas.

Also ADHD, contrary to popular opinion is not a personality trait but a neurological issue. It's caused by an imbalance of dopamine in the brain regions involved with attention, self-regulation, and motivation. The cause is largely attributed to genetics and the heritability is akin to physical traits like height and blood type. Meaning if one parent has it, it is extremely likely that at least one if not all of their offspring will inherit it. Many people don't want to marry and settle down with one who has ADD/ADHD because they don't want their children to inherit it so people with ADHD often end up reproducing with mates that have other maladaptive traits or come from low socioeconomic backgrounds so that in conjunction with an invalidating environment is recipe for severe impairment throughout life. Some however, are capable of hiding the traits or coping with it and are often unaware that they are affected by it but learn they have it when they have children.

In the past, it was believed that the world was ADHD friendly and those with the traits had an advantage in the sense that they could function in high octane environments and quickly shift their attention towards resources vital for survival. Many with the condition were thought to be nomadic which explains why people with ADHD tend to seek out novel environments.The impulsive behavior was thought to be attractive to potential mates in the sense that it suggested confidence and strength. But times quickly changed as people became farmers and focused their attention on important tasks. Only 5% of the world population has the condition. It is important to develop coping mechanisms to compensate for what we lack and utilize resources in the environment to capitalize on our strengths.