October is ADHD Awareness Month. For many Filipino families, though, awareness alone isn’t enough. Before anyone says “ADHD”, a child has often already been called pasaway, or an adult has been called tamad.
As a Filipino psychologist in Wahroonga, I see how these words shape lives. They can stop children and adults from getting understanding and support for years. In this post, I look at ADHD through our own cultural lens, guided by Sikolohiyang Pilipino (Filipino Psychology), and explain why an assessment can be an act of care, not shame.
- Pasaway · troublesome, naughty
- Tamad · lazy
- Hiya · shame, loss of face
- Pagtitiis · endurance
- Kapwa · shared self, togetherness
Why ADHD is often missed in Filipino families
Close to 294,000 people living in Australia were born in the Philippines, and many more have Filipino heritage.[4] Research with Filipinos in the Philippines and overseas, including in Australia, points to the same barriers to seeking mental health support.[1][2]
- Hiya and stigma. Forgetfulness, big emotions or missed deadlines can be seen as a personal or family failure. Worry about what others will think can lead families to keep things private. Both Tuliao’s review and a 2020 systematic review found stigma and shame to be among the biggest barriers to seeking help.
- Pasaway and tamad. When a busy, curious child is called naughty, or a tired adult is called lazy, the real explanation gets lost. ADHD isn’t a character flaw. It’s a neurotype: a different way of paying attention, feeling and getting things done, shared by more than a million Australians.[5]
- Keeping it in the family. Many Filipinos turn first to family, friends or faith, and this support matters. It can also mean professional help comes later, or not at all.[2]
- Pagtitiis. Endurance is a real strength. But “just try harder” can turn into years of quiet exhaustion, especially for people who mask their ADHD to keep the peace.
Seeing ADHD through Sikolohiyang Pilipino
Sikolohiyang Pilipino grew from the work of Virgilio G. Enriquez. He argued that Filipino wellbeing should be understood through our own concepts, not only through Western ones.[3] At its heart is kapwa: the shared self that connects us to each other.
This lens doesn’t pretend ADHD is easy. It lets us hold the challenges and the strengths together, without shame.
| ADHD trait | How it’s often judged | A kapwa-centred view |
|---|---|---|
| Hyperfocus | “Only does what they like and ignores their duties.” | Kagalingan (skill, excellence): deep focus that can become real expertise, shared with family and community. |
| High energy and spontaneity | “Pasaway. Disruptive. Can’t sit still.” | Lakas ng loob (courage, inner strength): drive and boldness that can fuel bayanihan and leadership. |
| Emotional intensity | “Too sensitive. Needs more pagtitiis.” | Pakikiramdam (shared inner perception): a deep sense of what others feel, which supports empathy and connection. |
These reframes aren’t about ignoring hard days. They help shift the story from “what’s wrong with you” to “how does your brain work, and what helps?”
Seeking support is an act of kapwa
Getting help isn’t a failure of endurance. It’s a way of caring for yourself and the people who depend on you. An assessment can bring real answers:
Clarity, not blame
Understanding how your brain works can replace years of “pasaway” or “tamad” with a kinder, truer story.
Better family understanding
Parents, grandparents and siblings can learn what helps, which often eases conflict at home.
Support at school and work
A clear report can support adjustments at school, university or work.
More options than before
In NSW, trained GPs can now continue ADHD prescriptions, and some are training to diagnose ADHD.[6] Read more in why an ADHD assessment matters.
How Psychcare can help
- Culturally responsive ADHD assessments. I assess children, teens and adults, and I consider family values, language and cultural expectations at every step. See our ADHD & Autism Assessments page for pathways and fees.
- Neuro-affirming, trauma-informed therapy. Together we can work through shame, family dynamics and the labels you grew up with. Learn more about our therapy and support.
- Room for the whole family. Many adults recognise their own ADHD after a child’s assessment. You’re welcome to explore both.
Sessions are available at our Wahroonga clinic or by telehealth anywhere in Australia.
More support for Filipino communities
In NSW
The Transcultural Mental Health Line on 1800 648 911 offers free, confidential phone support for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. It runs 9am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday, and can help connect you with local services.[7]
In the Philippines
The ADHD Society of the Philippines is a volunteer, parent-led non-profit founded in 2000. It offers support groups, parent and teacher education, and a yearly national conference.[8] It’s a helpful starting point for family members back home.
The Philippine Mental Health Act (Republic Act No. 11036), passed in 2018, sets out the rights of people who use psychiatric, neurologic and psychosocial health services, including protection from discrimination.[9]
Keep reading
Ready to take the first step?
If you, your child or someone you love is living with focus, organisation or big emotions that feel hard to manage, support is here. Book online, call us, or start with a free 15-minute chat.
(02) 9037 3509Suite 4 & 5, 5 Redleaf Avenue, Wahroonga NSW 2076. Telehealth Australia-wide. Psychcare is not an emergency service. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 000 or contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Sources
- Tuliao, A. P. (2014). Mental health help seeking among Filipinos: a review of the literature. Asia Pacific Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 5(2).
- Martinez, A. B., et al. (2020). Filipino help-seeking for mental health problems and associated barriers and facilitators: a systematic review. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology.
- Pe-Pua, R., & Protacio-Marcelino, E. (2000). Sikolohiyang Pilipino (Filipino psychology): A legacy of Virgilio G. Enriquez. Asian Journal of Social Psychology, 3(1).
- Australian Bureau of Statistics (2021). People in Australia who were born in the Philippines: 2021 Census QuickStats.
- Australian ADHD Professionals Association (2022). Australian Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline for ADHD.
- NSW Health (11 February 2026). Reforms to enable GPs to diagnose ADHD from March.
- NSW Government. Transcultural Mental Health Line.
- ADHD Society of the Philippines. About us.
- Republic of the Philippines (2018). Republic Act No. 11036: Mental Health Act.
This article is general information, not personal clinical advice.