Five Misconceptions about ADHD
For such a common and widely known disorder, the amount of misinformation about ADHD is startling. The circulation of these myths is damaging to ADHD acceptance and perpetuates an unwarranted stigma. Here’s a list of the five biggest misconceptions about ADHD that need to finally be cleared up. (Feel free to send this to those in your life that just don’t get it.)
ADHD isn’t a real disorder but a western invention.
We thought we’d start right off the bat with the most ridiculous misbelief. ADHD is recognized as a legitimate medical disorder by major medical, psychological, and educational organizations and is proven to be the product of an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain. ADHD was first diagnosed in 1902, but there’s evidence of the disorder as far back as the 1700s. It’s undeniably a real, biologically driven disorder, but we’re preaching to the choir! If you have ADHD, you know just how real it can be.
2. People with ADHD are just lazy.
Motivation plays no role at all in ADHD. Children and adults with the disorder find it hard to focus or complete some tasks no matter how hard they try to. It comes down to a difference in brain functionality, something entirely out of the control of an individual battling ADHD. At times even, ADHD can lead to periods of absolute attention and productivity called hyperfocus, especially if the activity is one that the person enjoys.
3. Women don’t get ADHD as often as men.
False! Men are diagnosed more often with ADHD because the criteria medical professionals use is based chiefly on the hyperactive type of ADHD, most common in males. On the other hand, women often present inattentive ADHD, which results in disengagement, forgetfulness, and distractability. These symptoms are commonly mistaken for anxiety or mood disorders, thus overlooking the possibility of ADHD entirely. The reason the ADHD rates are higher in males is that females are often misdiagnosed.
4. ADHD is just a disorder in children.
While ADHD, for many years, was believed to be something children would outgrow, we now have proof that most cases span well into adulthood. This outdated myth persists in our medical system, though, even today. Unfortunately, most diagnostic criteria is based on studies done that focus on children. While there is an overlap in symptoms, ADHD can present very differently in adults. This oversight leads to a gross amount of misdiagnosed ADHD cases for older patients and leaves many adults at a loss for why they find certain things more challenging than others.
5. No one “needs” to take ADHD medications. They could improve on their own if they just tried hard enough.
Every person with ADHD is unique! Some individuals can manage their symptoms easily through behavior therapy or ADHD coaching. However, many patients find that medical treatment is the key to treating their ADHD. Medications are effective in more than 80% of patients who try them, and they give the ADHD patient the power to function daily without most ADHD roadblocks.
