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ADHD Myths vs. Facts

Although Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has been a common diagnosis for many years now, there are still many misconceptions about ADHD. Following are many of the common myths about ADHD, and the facts that dispel those myths:

MYTH #1: ADHD is just a diagnosis used by doctors as a convenient label for difficult children.

FACT: ADHD has been a recognized disorder for over 50 years. However, because health care professionals can now more easily identify the disorder, ADHD diagnoses are more prevalent than in the past.

MYTH #2: ADHD doesn't really affect that many people.

FACT: According to the National Institution of Mental Health (NIMH), ADHD is one of the most common mental disorders in children and adolescents, and affects over 4% of youths ages 9- 17. In addition, ADHD also affects 2-4% of adults.

MYTH #3: ADHD only happens to hyperactive little boys.

FACT: Although boys are diagnosed with ADHD 2-3 times more than girls are, ADHD still affects both boys and girls. Girls may still have ADHD, even though their
ADHD symptoms may differ slightly from boys in that girls may show lessened hyperactivity and impulsive behavior than boys.

MYTH #4: ADHD is just a phase. Children grow out of it.

FACT: ADHD usually becomes evident in preschool or early elementary years, and children may or may not "grow out of it." About 70% of children with the disorder will continue to have ADHD symptoms into adolescence, and some will experience symptoms that affect functioning into adulthood. For youth growing up, hyperactive symptoms appear to decrease. However, attention problems often persist into adulthood. Adults with ADHD typically find that their symptoms diminish gradually as they get older or are less bothersome as they learn successful coping strategies.

MYTH #5: ADHD comes from eating too much junk food, sodas, and sugar.

FACT: Special diets and limiting food additives or sugar will not prevent ADHD. However, paying attention to overall general health, including exercise, rest, and nutrition, can help manage ADHD symptoms.

MYTH #6: If parents would discipline their kids like in the old days, kids wouldn't have these behaviors.

FACT: Research has shown that parenting and discipline styles do not cause ADHD. However, just like diabetes and other disorders, parental involvement is as important as medication and other aspects of the child's treatment regimen.

MYTH #7: He can't have ADHD if he has no trouble focusing on things he wants to do, like playing computer games.

FACT: People who can concentrate some of the time may still have ADHD. People with ADHD have difficulty sticking to most tasks for extended periods, but they (like many people) can concentrate on things that interest them and are stimulating, such as computer games.

MYTH #8: People with ADHD aren't as smart as their peers, and ADHD children need to be put in special classes.

FACT: ADHD does not affect intellectual ability. Individuals with ADHD are just as smart as people without ADHD; in fact, most people with ADHD test in at least the average IQ range, sometimes higher. However, many children with ADHD may not function as well academically as those without ADHD, because of their high level of distractibility, for example. Many of those with ADHD also have learning disabilities, which cannot be addressed in a regular classroom setting. Most children with ADHD can succeed in regular classrooms, however, with the help of medication, behavioral therapy, and parents and teachers who use techniques such as positive reinforcement, organizational and study skills, and stimulating and creative instructional aides.

MYTH #9: Medication cures ADHD.

FACT: While no treatment today cures ADHD, courses of treatment which include medication along with behavioral therapy techniques do help manage ADHD symptoms. For many people with ADHD, stimulant medications improve many of the symptoms of ADHD, since these medications are found to stimulate those parts of the brain that help increase focus and the ability to control one's own behavior.

MYTH #10: Using stimulant medications now will lead to drug addiction later in life.

FACT: Stimulants help many children focus and be more successful at school, home, and play. Avoiding negative experiences now may actually help prevent addictions and other emotional problems later.

About the Author

Michele Soloway has dealt with bipolar disorder from a very young age. Her grandmother, mother, herself, and her teenage son all have the disorder. She also lost her sister to suicide because of bipolar disorder. Michele has a blog for bipolar survivors at http://bipolarsurvivor.blogspot.com, and is also a contributing writer to www.bipolarcentral.com.

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