Psychology Chartered

Myth-busting Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Posted by Richard Maddicks

23rd May 2024

Written by Molly Myers, Assistant Psychologist

Due to an increase in information regarding ADHD being circulated on social media, thanks to platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, education and awareness around the condition is positively growing. However, as unfortunately common on social media platforms, misinformation spreads like wildfire and increases the likelihood of incorrect and potentially harmful myths around certain psychological conditions being accepted as fact. Misinformation around ADHD is problematic because it increases stigma around the condition, invalidates difficulties experienced by those with ADHD, and reduces the probability of individuals with ADHD accessing the support they need. In today’s blog we are going to go through some of the most common myths surrounding ADHD and take a look at what the research says, in order to differentiate between fact and fiction.

Photo by Michael Carruth on Unsplash

Myth 1. ADHD isn’t a ‘real’ medical condition

Fact: This is a common misconception which undermines and invalidates the real-life challenges that individuals with ADHD experience daily. ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood and research highlights that ADHD affects the way a person’s brain develops (Gehricke et al., 2017).There is strong evidence of an inherited contribution to ADHD, although there is not one single cause of ADHD and there are various risk factors associated with developing ADHD in childhood. The American Psychiatric Association also recognizes ADHD as a medical disorder in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders which is used to officially diagnose individuals with ADHD. It is important that symptoms of ADHD are taken seriously to prevent delays in diagnosis and access to support/treatment options.

Myth 2. ADHD is the result of ‘bad’ parenting

Fact: People often view children as not listening, acting impulsively or behaving in a hyperactive manner as ‘lacking discipline’ – and therefore a result of ‘bad’ parenting. Many people are not familiar with the symptoms of ADHD and this lack of understanding causes the misconception that children with ADHD are simply ‘naughty’. As previously discussed, ADHD is a real medical condition that is impacted by neurological differences, which is not something caused by a lack of discipline from parents or caregivers. Children with ADHD require understanding and support in order to help manage their condition, rather than simply scolding them for something they cannot control.

Myth 3. ADHD affects only boys/girls cannot have ADHD

Fact: An increase in ADHD research has demonstrated interesting differences in the presentation of ADHD symptoms among boys and girls. One key difference is that typically boys present with more external ‘hyperactive’ symptoms than girls, resulting in girls being significantly less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD and thus reduced access to an assessment or support. The misconception that girls cannot have ADHD is especially harmful as when left unmanaged, it increases the chances of further developing anxiety, depression and other comorbid conditions in adulthood. 

Myth 4. Children can eventually ‘outgrow’ their ADHD

Fact: ADHD is not a ‘curable’ condition and children who are diagnosed with ADHD continue to have symptoms into their adulthood. However, symptoms of ADHD may present differently as a child becomes older as a result of the appropriate support or medication used to help manage symptoms. Unfortunately, it is often the case that children with ADHD (especially if left undiagnosed and without access to support/treatment) learn to ‘mask’ symptoms as they grow older leading to an increase in mental health difficulties. It is important that children with ADHD have access to support and treatment in childhood, so that their outlook for managing their symptoms in adulthood is more likely to be a positive one.

Myth 5. All people who have ADHD are ‘hyperactive’

Fact: There are 3 main types of ADHD that impact which symptoms a person may more frequently experience: inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive and combined. A person with an inattentive type of ADHD may display limited external symptoms categorized as ‘hyperactive’, and therefore may not be perceived to have ADHD by others. The inattentive subtype of ADHD tends to commonly affect women and is categorized by difficulties with concentration, poor organisation and being easily distracted. These symptoms are not as noticeable as hyperactive symptoms such as fidgeting and talking excessively, and therefore not always associated with the stereotypical view of ADHD. A ‘combined’ subtype of ADHD as suggested, is a combination of hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive ADHD symptoms where the individual may not noticeably experience either type of symptoms more than the other. It is important to be aware that ADHD does not have one particular “look” and symptoms can present differently and vary between individuals.

Myth 6. People who have ADHD are just ‘stupid’ or ‘lazy’

Fact: People with ADHD are often trying their hardest to function, concentrate and perform tasks efficiently. Telling them to simply “try harder” or “focus more”, invalidates their difficulties and puts the blame on them with the assumption it is almost deliberate. Due to issues with executive dysfunction and how the ADHD brain is structured, ADHD makes it difficult for individuals to sustain attention, stay organised and follow instructions. Therefore, it is not due to a person’s problem with motivation or laziness that they struggle with these issues but rather they are symptoms of a medical condition.

Helpful resources for ADHD information/support:

 

References:

Gehricke, J. G., Kruggel, F., Thampipop, T., Alejo, S. D., Tatos, E., Fallon, J., & Muftuler, L. T. (2017). The brain anatomy of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in young adults – a magnetic resonance imaging study. PloS one, 12(4), e0175433. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0175433

Quinn, P., & Wigal, S. (2004). Perceptions of girls and ADHD: results from a national survey. MedGenMed : Medscape general medicine, 6(2), 2.

Faraone, S. V., Perlis, R. H., Doyle, A. E., Smoller, J. W., Goralnick, J. J., Holmgren, M. A., & Sklar, P. (2005). Molecular genetics of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Biological psychiatry, 57(11), 1313–1323. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2004.11.024

Young, S., Adamo, N., Ásgeirsdóttir, B. B., Branney, P., Beckett, M., Colley, W., Cubbin, S., Deeley, Q., Farrag, E., Gudjonsson, G., Hill, P., Hollingdale, J., Kilic, O., Lloyd, T., Mason, P., Paliokosta, E., Perecherla, S., Sedgwick, J., Skirrow, C., Tierney, K., … Woodhouse, E. (2020). Females with ADHD: An expert consensus statement taking a lifespan approach providing guidance for the identification and treatment of attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder in girls and women. BMC psychiatry, 20(1), 404. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-02707-9

Wilens, T. E., & Spencer, T. J. (2010). Understanding attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder from childhood to adulthood. Postgraduate medicine, 122(5), 97–109. https://doi.org/10.3810/pgm.2010.09.2206

RICCIO, C., HOMACK, S., JARRATT, K., & WOLFE, M. (2006). Differences in academic and executive function domains among children with ADHD Predominantly Inattentive and Combined Types. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 21(7), 657–667. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acn.2006.05.010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subscribe to RSS

Categories