ADHD is an abbreviation of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Patients suffering from ADHD are hyperactive, they act without thinking and are unable to focus. They also find it difficult to sit still and pay attention. There is a lot of awareness among people regarding ADHD. Despite of this fact, there are several myths associated with ADHD. This article will try to clarify some of these myths and misconceptions about this disease.
1. ADHD is seen only in Kids
No doubt ADHD is seen mostly in kids, it is also seen in about 4 percent of adults. Due to this misconception, most cases of ADHD go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed in adults.
2. ADHD gets cured as kids grow
This does not happen always. ADHD symptoms are seen in about 80 percent of children in adolescence also. And 70 percent of them have to face problems like difficulty in relationship, financial trouble, and dissatisfaction in family life.
3. ADHD can be cured only by medication
It is a general misconception that ADHD can be treated only by medication. But this is a pure myth as for treating ADHD changes in lifestyle, counseling and behavior therapy also play a vital role.
4. People suffering from ADHD are lazy, lack intelligence, and are weak in willpower
ADHD is a neurobehavioral disorder, which is caused by variation in brain chemicals which alters the working of the brain. This leads to unique challenges, but this can be overcome and ADHD does not have anything to do with intelligence or will power. Successful people like Albert Einstein have overcome ADHD and did not let it hinder the path of their success.
5. ADHD does not come in the category of real disorders
According to doctors and mental-health professionals, cause of ADHD is imbalance in brain chemicals affecting the behavioral and emotional areas of the brain. So they believe that ADHD is a real biological disorder.
6. ADHD is caused by bad parenting
ADHD is absolutely not caused by bad parenting. It is caused by the combination of genetic and environmental factors. Good parenting helps children to deal with the symptoms but it has nothing to do with bad parenting.
7. Children who have ADHD are always hyper
There are three types of ADHD – predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type, the predominantly inattentive type, and the combined type (mix of inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms). Kids with hyperactive-impulsive or combined ADHD are most of the time fidgety and restless but those with inattentive ADHD are not.
8. ADHD is caused by watching TV for long hours
ADHD is not caused by watching TV. The cause of ADHD is genetic and environmental factors. But of course watching TV for long hours and playing video games for too long triggers ADHD and at times even worsens the symptoms.
9. ADHD can be cured by focusing on certain things
This concept is a bit complicated. It is often seen that people with ADHD find it difficult to focus on things that don’t interest them, but there is another aspect to it. Few people with ADHD can suffer from ‘hyperfocus’ due to which they get too absorbed in activities they enjoy. This helps the person to become productive but due to over focus the person may tend to ignore responsibilities.
10. ADHD seems to be overdiagnosed
ADHD seems to be underdiagnosed and undertreated. Kids grow up with ADHD and also have it when they grow. This causes a lot of pressure and stress as the person has to deal with the responsibilities of adulthood also.