What are Some Myths About ADHD

What are Some Myths About ADHD ADHD Print Myths About ADHD Separating Fact From Fiction With Misconceptions About ADHD By Keath Low Keath Low, MA, is a therapist and clinical scientist with the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities at the University of North Carolina. She specializes in treatment of ADD/ADHD. Learn about our editorial policy Keath Low Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD on January 29, 2020 twitter linkedin Daniel B. Block, MD, is an award-winning, board-certified psychiatrist who operates a private practice in Pennsylvania. Learn about our Medical Review Board Daniel B. Block, MD on January 29, 2020 ADHD Overview Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Living With In Children Dimitri Otis / Photographers Choice RF / Getty Images According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 6.4 million children  in the United States have attention-deficient hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The disorder is characterized by a range of behaviors and symptoms that are experienced internally and expressed externally. These symptoms can make it harder for someone with ADHD to pay attention, stay organized, and complete tasks. A persons ADHD symptoms can also be disruptive to others, such as at home or in a classroom. ADHD is not strictly a condition of childhood. In fact, around  4% of adults  in the U.S. have a diagnosis of ADHD.?? Sometimes, parents only recognize their symptoms of ADHD when their child is diagnosed.     Despite many people living with ADHD, the condition remains misunderstood by the general public, some medical and mental health professionals, and even people who have it. Heres what you should know about ADHD to challenge the most common myths about the condition. Myth #1: ADHD Is Not a Real Disorder   ADHD  is recognized as a disorder by the majority of professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, and educational associations and organizations in the United States, including the  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the  National Institutes of Health (NIH),  the  U.S. Department of Education, and the  American Psychiatric Association (APA). One factor that contributes to misunderstandings about ADHDs status is that no specific test exists that can definitively identify the disorder. Unlike other medical conditions, a doctor cannot confirm a diagnosis of ADHD with a laboratory or imaging test.     Although there is no definitive medical test for diagnosing ADHD, there are clear and  specific criteria  that must be met for a diagnosis. Doctors and mental health professionals can use these criteria, as well as an in-depth history and detailed information about a persons behaviors, to make a  reliable diagnosis.   Another factor is that  ADHD symptoms are not always clearly defined. ADHD exists on a continuum of behaviors. We all experience problems with attention and focus at times, but for an individual with ADHD, these symptoms are severe enough to affect daily functioning.     Symptoms of ADHD can also resemble those of  other conditions. Pre-existing or undiagnosed medical conditions that could be the cause of a persons symptoms must be ruled out before a diagnosis of ADHD can be made.     Myth #2: ADHD Is Over-Diagnosed   The  evidence is mixed  on whether ADHD is over-diagnosed. Annual data from the  National Survey of Childrens Health  has shown an  increase in ADHD diagnosis in U.S. children. However, the reports also demonstrate that rates of other conditions,  such as autism, anxiety, and depression, have increased as well.   Specific to ADHD, several studies have shown that the condition may be under-diagnosed in cases where symptoms are less noticeable. A particular example comes from evidence that ADHD may  manifest differently in female children.??     While girls with ADHD might be less likely to display the hyperactive physical symptoms,?? they can still have significant impairment with mental tasks and focus.  Several studies  have suggested that girls are less likely to be diagnosed and receive treatment for ADHD than their male peers.     Hidden ADHD Symptoms in Girls Other studies have proposed that ADHD  is over-diagnosed in children, but specifically in male children. Higher rates of ADHD in boys could partly be due to  stereotypes about male behavior  (for example, that boys act out physically).?? Boys may also be more likely to  demonstrate overt and disruptive symptoms  of ADHD, which in turn increases the likelihood that parents, teachers, and doctors will notice these behaviors.?? Research has shown that  racial, ethnic,??  and  socioeconomic factors??  also influence the disparity in diagnosis and treatment of ADHD. Children in minority groups and those who live in poverty often lack equitable access to health care, including mental health services. According to  a 2016 study  published in the journal  Pediatrics, white children were more likely to receive a diagnosis and treatment for ADHD. While the researchers acknowledge these findings could imply over-diagnosis, they suggested that the under-diagnosis and under-treatment of African American and Latino children with ADHD was a more accurate interpretation of the data.     Research has also proposed  that adult ADHD is over-diagnosed. Its been suggested that an adult might be diagnosed with ADHD due to the medicalization of typical life experiences and personality variations. In some cases, other mental health conditions or learning disabilities are misdiagnosed as ADHD.     Challenging Misconceptions With ADHD Awareness Conversely, for  adults who go undiagnosed and untreated, social stigma, stereotypes about ADHD, and  cultural factors  can make someone reluctant to seek (or accept) the diagnosis.     The main risk associated with over-diagnosis of ADHD in children and adults is  unnecessary treatment with stimulant medications.?? While these drugs can be an effective treatment for ADHD, when prescribed to someone who does not need them, they may be misused. Myth #3: ADHD Is Caused by Poor Parenting   Parents of children with ADHD may worry that they are somehow to blame for their childs behavior, but the condition is not strictly caused by poor parenting. While any child, whether they have ADHD or not, can be adversely affected by a chaotic home or parenting that is punitive and critical. These factors can make it more difficult for children and their families to cope with ADHD, but they dont cause the condition. That said, parents may want to consider  adapting their parenting style  to better support a child with ADHD.??  Research has demonstrated  that kids with ADHD benefit from clear and consistent  expectations and consequences, as well as having  predictable routines  at home.   Myth #4: Only Children Can Have ADHD   The symptoms of ADHD must be present by the age of seven to meet the  criteria for diagnosis, but many individuals remain undiagnosed until adulthood.     Its not uncommon for a parent to be diagnosed around the same time that their child is. As an adult learns more about the condition, they may begin to recognize  ADHD traits  and behaviors in themselves. Thinking back on their childhood, they may realize that the struggles they had at school were likely the result of attention problems that were not noticed or treated.     For parents and children, a diagnosis at any age  often comes as a relief.??  Being able to put a name to the symptoms, as well as knowing that there is a way to manage them, can be reassuring.     Many children diagnosed with ADHD will continue to have symptoms as teens and adults, but the symptoms may change as they get older. For example, hyperactive behaviors common in kids  tend to decrease with age, whereas restlessness, distractibility, and inattention may persist into adulthood.?? Adults with ADHD  that is poorly managed often experience chronic difficulties at  work  and in  relationships. Undiagnosed and untreated ADHD is also associated with anxiety, depression, and substance misuse.   Can Adults Develop ADHD? Myth #5: Hyperactivity Is Always a Symptom The attention deficit part of the name has led to misunderstandings about the nature of ADHD and perpetuated myths about its symptoms.   In fact, there are  different types  of ADHD, including:     Predominately hyperactive-impulsive    Predominately inattentive  Combined     Hyperactive behaviors occur in the  predominantly hyperactive-impulsive  type but are not included in the predominately  inattentive type.?? To reduce confusion, the predominantly inattentive type of ADHD is referred to as attention-deficit disorder (ADD).   ADD vs. ADHD A person with  inattentive symptoms  may appear daydreamy and easily distracted. They may be disorganized, forgetful, or careless. This type of ADHD is more likely to be overlooked, as it is less disruptive to others than the hyperactive type. However, the symptoms are still distressing to the person experiencing them. While a child with ADHD wont typically  outgrow the disorder,  adults sometimes report growing out of the hyperactive behaviors they had as children.?? In some cases, hyperactivity  is replaced by restlessness??  and  even apathy.??     Do Kids Outgrow ADHD? Myth #6: People With ADHD Cant Focus at All     Given the conditions name, it can be confusing for people to see someone with ADD/ADHD focusing intently on an activity. Its more accurate to describe the attention-deficit portion of ADHD as difficulty  regulating  attention rather than the ability to pay attention.     Although people with ADHD typically have  trouble focusing  on, organizing, and  completing  tasks, its not uncommon for them to become absorbed in activities that interest them. In fact, such a sustained level of  hyperfocus  can be a clue that someone has ADHD. Myth #7: Medication Can Cure ADHD   Medication  does not cure ADHD, but it can help manage symptoms when taken as prescribed by a doctor or mental health professional. ADHD is a chronic, lifelong condition. If someone was prescribed ADHD medication as a child, they might need to continue taking it as an adult (though the dose may need to be adjusted).   People may have the same symptoms as adults that they did as children, or their symptoms may change or even lessen over time.  Developmental changes in the brain  partly explain these changes, but they can also be a reflection of how someone has learned to cope.?? People with ADHD often develop coping strategies and organizational skills that help them live with the condition. They can continue to build and expand these skills throughout their lives and may choose to pair them with medication.     What to Know Before You Start Taking ADHD Medication Myth #8: Stimulants Lead to Drug Abuse and Addiction   There is a concern that stimulant medications used to treat ADHD can lead to substance misuse. However, research has shown that  untreated ADHD increases a persons risk for substance use disorder.   Anxiety or depression are more likely to develop from  untreated ADHD. A person may misuse licit and illicit drugs to  self-medicate  both their ADHD symptoms as well as those of secondary mental health conditions.??     Research has indicated  that the rate of substance misuse is lower in people with ADHD who receive appropriate  treatment, including  stimulant medications.   Adult ADHD and Addiction A Word From Verywell Myths about ADHD are can be harmful on many levels. Misconceptions about the condition can make getting a timely, accurate diagnosis more difficult and encourage guilt and shame. ADHD awareness and understanding can help combat some of those unique challenges faced by people living with the condition and their families. ADHD can affect every area of a persons life, from their experience at school and work to their relationships. While it cant be cured, therapy and medication can help people with ADHD manage the condition.