ADHD and Misconceptions

10 misconceptions about ADHD 

ADHD is a  neurological disorder that usually affects children. In the world, about 9.4 million kids aged between 4-17 have been diagnosed with the disease in year 2021. Despite this huge number, a lot of people still have many misconceptions about it, which will definitely  effect there way of seeking and accepting treatment for ADHD.

Although symptoms of the disorder were coined in the early 1900s. Back then, the diagnosis was typically thought to relate to the child having suffering family members with psychiatric problem, or it may be the result of poor parenting. Quite  Strangely , many of these stereotypes persist even today.

Despite of the ground-breaking scientific reaches  and clear neurological findings, people still continue to harbour many inaccurate beliefs  and promote some false myths  about ADHD, which only perpetuate misunderstanding, stigma, and shame in the society. 

 So Here are some of the misconceptions about ADHD and recent research available to address them:

ADHD isn’t a real medical condition.

Fact: The National Institutes of Health science and research , And the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, also the American Psychiatric Association all have recognized ADHD as a medical neurological condition. In fact, it’s one of the most common conditions in that occur during childhood. Millions of kids and adults in the world have it.

People with ADHD just need to try harder.

Fact: ADHD isn’t  just a problem of lack of motivation or laziness. Kids and adults who have the symptoms of disease often trying as hard as they can to pay attention towards the work but sometimes it gets difficult for them. 

People with ADHD can’t ever focus.

Fact: It’s true that people with ADHD usually have problem with focusing. But if they’re really interested in something they like, they may focus on it intensely which is called as hyper focus.

Only kids can have ADHD

It is One of the most common myths about ADHD is that it only affects small children, if you are a teenager or an adult you cannot have it which is completely wrong. It’s true that more than one in 10 children in the world has been diagnosed with ADHD, but the disorder can  affect adults as well . ADHD in adults is  generally accompanied with other mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. 

All kids with ADHD are hyperactive.

The stereotype of kids with ADHD is that they race around with thoughts and can’t stop moving physically . But not all kids with ADHD have hyperactivity as a symptoms indicate . And for those who do, hyperactivity usually goes away or lessens as they get little older by age.

Only boys have ADHD.

 Boys are more than twice as likely as girls to be diagnosed with ADHD disorder. But it doesn’t really specifies that girls don’t have it. They’re just more likely to be overlooked by there parents and remain undiagnosed. A Part of it also says that the ADHD can look different in boys than in girls . Girls tend to have less trouble with hyperactivity and impulse control as compared boys. 

ADHD is a learning disability.

 ADHD is not a learning disability but it’s symptoms can get in the way of learning, but they don’t cause difficulty in specific skills like reading, writing, language and math. However Some of the  learning disabilities may often co-occur with ADHD . But just because ADHD isn’t a learning disability doesn’t mean kids can’t get effected and needs help in there school. And adults also with ADHD can often need support at work, too.

 Kids with ADHD will outgrow it.

Most kids don’t totally outgrow ADHD symptoms, although some symptoms can lessen or disappear as they grow older  . Symptoms may also change as kids get wiser  and will learn ways to manage them . 

ADHD is the result of bad parenting.

ADHD is mainly caused by brain differences, and not by bad parenting. But some people can see kids fidgeting, being impulsive, or not listening and assume it’s due to a lack of discipline and coordination . They don’t realize that what they’re seeing are the major signs of a medical condition, and not the result of something called bad parents or caregivers did or didn’t do.

Having ADHD ‘isn’t that serious’

While it’s a believe that ADHD isn’t life-threatening, but it can have serious implications on a person’s overall quality of life. As Compared to the general population, people with ADHD are more likely to suffer from:

• Anxiety
• Mood and the substance use disorders

Meanwhile, one common experience among many patients with ADHD is that it’s difficult for them to keep up with work responsibilities, when they’re constantly monitored or on probation.

Beating the stereotypes about ADHD

The Lack of understanding and misconceptions about mental illness prevent the affected people from seeking medical help. By taking the time to learn  about ADHD, you’ve already made an effort to beat the general stereotypes. 

We have to understand that the ADHD isn’t the punch line to a joke. If you suspect that you or someone  close to you has ADHD, don’t hesitate to talk about it to your specialist.