Misconceptions about ADHD? Let’s bust these myths.
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects many people worldwide. Many misconceptions surround ADHD.
However, despite how common it can be, most people are unaware of the true symptoms and manifestations of the disorder. These misconceptions are often due to inaccurate presentation in popular culture, media, and everyday conversation. It’s vital to break these myths about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder to create a more understanding and cohesive society.
First and foremost, let’s define what ADHD is. According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), it’s “a behavioral condition that makes focusing on everyday requests and routines challenging.” Not all kids (or adults) exhibit the same telltale signs, but the next sections will discuss this in more detail.
Individuals With ADHD
ADHD’s symptoms manifest differently in individuals, depending on a person’s age and personality. However, common to most people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder are patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. ADHD can affect anyone of any age group — most people know that it affects children or only boys, but it’s also a common disorder in adults (and girls, too). How Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder manifests will vary significantly depending on the age group.
What Is The Number Of People That Have ADHD?
In the United States alone, approximately 6% of all children from ages 3-17 have been diagnosed with ADHD, according to the CDC. It’s likely that you have met or know the parent of someone who has been diagnosed with ADHD. As a frame of reference, in a classroom of sixteen kids, one child will likely have ADHD. If we look at an office floor with forty people, about three or four adults may have the disorder.
Getting Diagnosis With ADHD
Diagnosis of ADHD is not straightforward and requires a comprehensive assessment by a healthcare professional. This process often involves doing research and gathering information from multiple sources, including parents, teachers, and the individual themselves and may include psychological testing. An ADHD diagnosis requires extensive and thorough testing by healthcare professionals, ideally ones with specific training in diagnosing ADHD. The diagnosis process isn’t solely on the patient and doctor either. Typically, a healthcare professional will gather information from the patient while also speaking to people the patient interacts with regularly.
These people might include, but aren’t limited to:
- Parents
- Friends
- Co-workers
- Teachers
In addition to information gathering, healthcare professionals will typically encourage the individual to undergo extensive psychological testing to ensure a correct and accurate diagnosis.
ADHD Symptoms
Symptoms can vary dramatically according to the person’s age and brain development. However, the symptoms can generally be divided into two categories.
Inattention In ADHD
Inattention symptoms cover a person’s ability to focus their attention on a task. This can lead to:
- Poor organization skills
- Difficulty with time management
- A tendency towards making careless errors
- Forgetfulness
- Being easily distracted or having trouble focusing
Hyperactivity And Impulsivity On ADHD
This category covers a person’s decision-making skills, especially about restraint. These symptoms manifest as:
- Excessive talking
- Talking very loudly
- Fidgeting or hyperactivity
- Impulsive decision-making or poor impulse control
- Restlessness
ADHD Causes
The causes of ADHD are as yet unknown, but current and available research points to genetics as being the most likely cause. It’s also possible that some environmental factors can lead to a higher risk for a person to develop Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, such as exposure to toxins during pregnancy, premature birth, or brain injury. Aside from genetics, biological factors, and injury, there are no other scientifically-backed causes of ADHD.
Managing Your ADHD
ADHD management typically involves a combination of medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes. There is currently no cure for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. However, people who undergo ADHD treatment can live fulfilling lives and learn ways to perform tasks that they enjoy.
Medicine
ADHD medications are typically stimulants that improve a person’s ability to focus their attention and control their impulsivity. Some patients might not respond well to stimulants, but there are non-stimulant forms of medication.
Therapy
Various forms of therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, can help both children and adults manage their symptoms. Typically, therapy involves educating children and their families about what to look for in terms of symptoms and strategies to manage them. In adults, therapy can help mitigate impulsivity and significantly assist with emotional regulation.
Lifestyle Changes For People With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Regular physical activity, a healthy diet, sufficient sleep, and structured routines and activities can also help individuals manage symptoms of ADHD.
Adults With ADHD
ADHD in adults can look different from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in most kids. While children might show more overt hyperactivity, adults with ADHD might struggle or experience difficulties with time management, organization, maintaining focus in conversations, managing complex tasks, and regulating emotions.
Impact Of ADHD Myths
ADHD can significantly impact daily life and functioning. In children, it can affect school or class performance, interactions, and family relationships. In adults, it may manifest in challenges at work, in maintaining relationships, and in overall life management. There are many common myths about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, including the idea that it’s a result of laziness or a lack of discipline. Such myths can lead to stigma and misunderstanding of mental disorders. Recognizing ADHD as a legitimate medical condition, understanding its complexities, and empathizing with those who live with it are crucial steps in addressing this stigma.
Myth 1: ADHD Is Only A Childhood Disorder
One of the most prevalent myths about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is that it exclusively affects children. However, research shows that adults can also develop ADHD or retain the disorder if they have it for as long enough as children or adolescents. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in adults is a significant issue and can affect a person’s ability to function on a daily basis and decrease their quality of life. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in adults manifests differently than it does in children. Typically, adults diagnosed with ADHD have problems with time management, organization, motivation, and self-regulation. These symptoms are just as impactful to children and can, in fact, be more damaging — the actions of adults can have larger repercussions than those of children, especially when it comes to personal health.
It’s vital to understand that ADHD is not just a childhood problem. Understanding that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder can severely affect adults is part of providing appropriate support and other treatment options.
Myth 2: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Is A Result Of Poor Parenting
ADHD is not caused by poor or bad parenting. Rather, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is typically the result of neurodevelopmental disorders, often caused by genetics. Environment, poor or bad parenting, and harmful family dynamics can exacerbate the symptoms of ADHD, but they are not the cause. Conversely, good parenting and awareness of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder symptoms can help a child manage the symptoms and learn to self-regulate as they get older. Learning these skills and practices at a young age can have a significant benefit on children with ADHD, especially as they enter into young adulthood. However, no amount of “good” parenting can cure or prevent Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It’s vital to remember that ADHD has a biological cause.
Myth 3: People With ADHD Just Need To Try Harder
It’s common for people without Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder to think that people who have the disorder are lazy and need to “try harder.” However, ADHD’s symptoms specifically target a person’s capacity to maintain attention. This leads to them being impulsive, possibly hyperactive, and having difficulty performing tasks. It’s not a lack of effort or willpower but a neurological difference. People with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder often have to learn to exert more effort than someone without the disorder. Basic tasks that require no effort from someone with a neurotypical brain will likely continue to require significantly more from someone with ADHD.
Some of these tasks might be relatively minor activities, such as chores. However, it is understood they can extend to more significant tasks, such as school projects for children or work tasks for adults.
Myth 4: ADHD Medication Is Overprescribed And Harmful
It’s understandable to be concerned about the possible side effects and maybe even substance abuse of ADHD medication. In fact, it’s a good idea to have a complete understanding of any medication you or your loved ones take. However, medication is often central to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder treatment and management. Typically, these medications are only prescribed by doctors after a lengthy and thorough diagnostic process.
While it’s true that medications can have side effects, for many people, the benefits of taking medication in terms of improved focus and decreased impulsivity outweigh these risks. It’s essential to have an open and informed discussion with healthcare professionals about the role of medication in managing ADHD.
Myth 5: ADHD Doesn’t Affect Social Relationships
ADHD can significantly impact social interactions, behavior, and relationships. The symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, such as impulsivity and difficulty maintaining attention, can make interactions challenging. People diagnosed with ADHD might struggle with understanding social cues or maintaining friendships, which can lead to feelings of isolation or misunderstanding.
The symptoms of ADHD can make it difficult for someone to maintain or develop relationships. These difficulties can be either due to how they perceive the actions of others or a misunderstanding on the part of someone without Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
For example, people diagnosed with ADHD may not notice social cues that a neurotypical person would innately understand, which can lead to them acting in a way that seems out of place or even disrespectful. People with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder also tend to speak very literally or interpret the words of other people in a very literal fashion, regardless of any intended subtext or nonverbal cues.
These differences in communication can make it difficult for people with ADHD to maintain or continue to build meaningful relationships, leading to feelings of isolation and misunderstanding.
Myth 6: ADHD Is Not A Real Medical Condition
Despite being widely recognized and researched within the medical community, some still believe that ADHD is not a legitimate medical condition. This misconception undermines the experiences of those with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and ignores the substantial body of brain imaging studies that validate it as a neurological disorder.
This diagnosis is based on well-established diagnostic criteria and involves a comprehensive assessment process. Acknowledging ADHD as a real and serious medical condition is vital for ensuring that those affected receive appropriate care and understanding.
Breaking The Misconceptions In ADHD
ADHD is a complex disorder surrounded by numerous misconceptions. By dispelling these myths, we can foster a more informed and empathetic understanding of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Recognizing the realities of living with ADHD, the importance of appropriate treatment, the differences, and the impact on relationships helps in providing better support to those affected.
If you have concerns about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, whether in adults or children, seeking professional advice is always the best course of action. Through education and awareness, we can learn ways to create a more inclusive and understanding environment for everyone affected by ADHD.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are some unknown facts about ADHD?
How is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder misunderstood?
What are the controversial views on ADHD?
What is the stigma behind Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?
Why are girls overlooked for ADHD?
Is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder discriminated against?
Is having ADHD shameful?
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Can Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder get worse if untreated?
Can ADHD get worse with age?
Does Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ever go away?
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Does untreated ADHD shorten lifespan?
Is treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder possible?