Myth: Only children can have ADHD
Reality: One of the most common myths about ADHD is that it only affects kids. That’s wrong. It’s true that mostly children are diagnosed with ADHD, but the disorder can also affect adults.
Myth: People with ADHD are lazy
Reality: Not true. A person is considered lazy if he or she has the ability or capacity to do something but just doesn’t want to exert energy in doing it. People with ADHD aren’t lazy. They exert as much effort as those without ADHD, but their condition keeps them from getting to the finish line because they’re easily distracted along the way.
They’ll eventually get there, it will just take a little longer. Sometimes they will get a whole lot done, while they’re supposed to be doing something else.
Myth: People with ADHD aren’t smart
Reality: This is mostly false. Actually, lower IQ isn’t specifically related to ADHD. People with ADHD are often perceived to have low intelligence because they work differently than the rest of the population.
But the truth is, many of these people are highly intelligent and creative; even more creative than their non-ADHD counterparts. They’re also better at managing crisis and are more intuitive thinkers.
Myth: ADHD is caused by bad parenting
Reality: ADHD is a condition that affects how the child behaves. Parenting doesn’t contribute to the development of ADHD. Certain parenting techniques can help improve the child’s symptoms and make the disorder more manageable.
Myth: Kids with ADHD are doomed to a life of failure
Reality: This is far from the truth. Many successful figures like Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, Bill Gates, Abraham Lincoln, and Elvis Presley were all thought to show symptoms of ADHD. Kids with ADHD can grow up and be as successful as anyone else.
Factors contributing to the success of a child with ADHD are mostly related to how their parents and teachers react. If they take the time to understand what’s going on and help the child find ways to manage their illness while embracing the learning process, they greatly increase the chances of success.
Myth: Only boys can have ADHD
Reality: It’s true that boys are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls, but that doesn’t mean girls are less susceptible to ADHD. It’s just that the symptoms of ADHD are different in boys and girls. ADHD symptoms in boys are more pronounced compared to girls.
Boys tend to show externalized symptoms like running while girls tend to have subtler symptoms. Because of this, girls are less often referred to behavior specialists for evaluation, which leads to fewer girls being diagnosed.
Myth: Can’t concentrate? You must have ADHD
Reality: Everyone experiences moments when they can’t concentrate. This doesn’t mean you have ADHD. There are several other symptoms to consider before a person could be diagnosed with ADHD. Doctors also look at the child’s behavior patterns in comparison to the behavior of other kids of his/her age.
Myth: ADHD is caused by eating too much sugar
Reality: No, there’s no research to support this theory. Kids often get hyper when they eat large amounts of sugar, but it’s really a one-time event. After a couple of hours later they return to normal and are usually ready to take a nap.
There’s more to ADHD than hyperactivity. A diagnosis will consider several other areas including the child’s ability to follow instructions, focus on a specific task, and how easily they become distracted, just to name a few.
Source:
https://intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs/topics/live-well/2017/03/busting-the-myths-about-adhd/
https://intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs/topics/live-well/2017/03/busting-the-myths-about-adhd/