7 Common Misconceptions Concerning ADHD Dr. Kamini Jain June 6, 2022 Health & Beauty, YMK 1108 Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a mental health problem that causes excessive hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. Individuals with ADHD may have difficulty focusing their attention on a single subject or remaining still for extended periods. Several people had experienced changes in their energy levels and inattention. This occurs more frequently in people with ADHD than in people who do not have the same condition, and it can substantially impact their everyday lives. While this disorder is usually diagnosed during childhood, many adults go through their lives untreated, resulting in various problems with how they function. However, ADHD is widely misunderstood, as are plenty of other myths about neurodevelopmental illnesses. Such beliefs can contribute to a stigma that inhibits people from getting help to diagnose and treat the problem. For example, the following are many misleading statements about the condition: #1 Myth: People With ADHD Are Incapable of Focusing It is a fact that people with ADHD have a hard time focusing. When they become interested in anything, though, they may become hyper-fixated on it. In some instances, most children with ADHD are readily distracted in class yet cannot be distracted from a game they are playing. Likewise, adults may struggle to focus on portions of jobs that they find uninteresting, but when it comes to something they like, they immerse themselves in it. Several people these days are utilizing stimulants like Vyvanse, which are commonly used to treat ADHD. Vyvanse stimulants tend to work by increasing dopamine levels and norepinephrine in your brain, which allows you to focus and regulate your impulses. Bonus Tip: This stimulant can be found in various pharmacies. You can even buy them with a Savings card to lessen the costs. #2 Myth: ADHD Is Caused by Poor Parenting Based on ADHD Australia, there is no proof that poor parenting causes the illness, not that it is caused by watching too many TV shows. And it is also not true that kids with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder are naughty children. Having said that, it is inevitable that children with the condition benefit from the assistance of knowledgeable parents and medical professionals. Furthermore, if parents are clueless that their child has ADHD, they may fail to provide enough assistance and react in ways that intensify their behavior. #3 Myth: ADHD Only Affects Boys Yes, boys are more likely than girls to be diagnosed with ADHD, but that doesn’t mean girls don’t have it. Often, they are simply more prone to being unnoticed and going undiagnosed. One reason for this is that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disordermanifests differently in boys than girls. For example, girls have less difficulty with hyperactivity and impulsive control compared to boys. Boys with ADHD are impulsive and struggle with self-control. As a result, they frequently act out in school and in ways that teachers find difficult to overlook. On the other hand, girls are not as prone to hyperactivity as guys. They also have less difficulty with self-control. This frequently implies they are less disruptive at home and school. #4 Myth: ADHD Is Classified as a Learning Disability Specific skills, such as reading or math, are challenging to learn for people with learning difficulties. However, ADHD is not classified as a learning disability. Unfortunately, though, it can have an impact on learning. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder impacts more general skills such as concentration and impulse control. Schools are aware of this and have designed a variety of classroom aides to assist children who struggle with attention. However, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is not a learning disability that does not exclude a child from receiving guidance and support at school. In addition, adults with ADHD can generally get help at work. Moreover, with the proper guidance and taking the necessary medicines to help with focus and impulse control, people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder can function just as efficiently as those who don’t have it. #5 Myth: A Person With ADHD Is Easily Identified People commonly associate ADHD with hyperactive young boys. However, the disorder can be manifested differently in various people. “Hyperactive girls may appear different: they may talk a lot, or they may be hyperactive with their thoughts — on the outside, they may appear a little dazed and not ‘with it,’ yet clearly not hyperactive,” explains Dr. Derrick. Also, adults may exhibit subtler signs. As a result, many adults battle with ADHD and may be unaware of it. In addition, adults may be unaware that many of their difficulties, such as staying organized and on schedule, are caused by Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. #6 Myth: People With ADHD Just Have to Put In More Effort The fact is, children and adults with ADHD make every effort to focus, and it is not regarded as a lack of motivation or apathy. You cannot just ask someone with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder to focus since they have trouble paying attention, which is unrelated to their attitude. It’s due to variances in how their brains function and are organized. #7 Myth: ADHD in Kids Will Subside Others have claimed that ADHD in children can be outgrown entirely, but this is a myth. Most children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder do not overcome it in early stages of life, though some symptoms may diminish or disappear as they grow older. As kids grow older, ADHD symptoms could also change, and they may also learn to cope with them. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they have outgrown them. For the majority of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder patients, symptoms will last until adulthood. Final Thoughts If left untreated, ADHD can significantly affect both children and adults. It can affect work, school, and relationships. Moreover, those with ADHD might feel isolated or different from their peers. Therefore, treatment is necessary to mitigate the condition’s effects. Believing the myths listed above will do you no good. If you believe you or your child may have ADHD, consider consulting a doctor. They can assist you in determining whether ADHD affects you or your child. In addition, your doctor can help you develop a treatment plan to help you manage your condition. SHARE THIS POST