ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) patients have issues with attention, self-control, and the ability to be still. Various common myths create confusion in a person’s mind and make it hard to get support for the same. People may say ‘it is all in your head, just focus,’ but the person dealing with the disorder will only get discouraged and feel neglected.
If you or someone you love is suffering from ADHD, consult Miami Thriving Center Of Psychology to get the right help.
A few common myths about ADHD include:
Myth 1: Not an actual medical condition.
In the field of medicine, ADHD is considered the most common condition of childhood. Half of the population is facing this condition. According to research, ADHD is considered hereditary. 10 out of 9 people with ADHD have a parent with the same condition. Medical imaging shows brain development differences between an average person and a person with this condition.
Myth 2: People need to try harder.
It isn’t a condition of motivation. People facing this are trying hard to pay attention. The reason they struggle for attention has nothing to do with their attitude. It is because of their brain functions and structure.
Myth 3: patients cannot focus.
The patients facing this condition indeed have trouble with focus. But they can focus intensely on something they are interested in. The state is hyperfocus.
Some children get easily distracted in class but can entirely focus on the game they are playing. The same is the condition with adults; they put themselves in occupations or hobbies where they can stay focused.
Myth 4: Kids with conditions are hyperactive.
Not all kids with this condition have hyperactivity. For those who do, hyperactivity gets reduced with age. The type of ADHD which has no impact on activity level is called ADD, which impacts attention.
Myth 5: Only boys have ADHD.
Boys are diagnosed with this condition more than girls, but that does not mean only boys face this condition. The girls are likely to be overlooked and remain unchecked.
This is because ADHD looks different in boys than in girls. Boys have more trouble with hyperactivity and impulse control than girls. The condition is called “daydreaming.”
Myth 6: ADHD is a learning disability.
It is not, but the symptoms can get in the way, and they cause no difficulty in skills like reading, mathematics, and writing. The kids get support from the school with learning disabilities.
Myth 7: Children With ADHD will Outgrow.
Total outgrowth is not possible; although symptoms can disappear with age, they disappear when they find a way to manage themselves. Most people continue to have symptoms as they get older.
Myth 8: Result of lousy parenting.
It is caused by brain differences, not by bad parenting. People say their kids have impulse behavior and lack discipline. They don’t realize that these are the symptoms of a medical condition.
These are the most common myths people face during their childhood or even when they get older. They must consult a counselor or psychologist for their condition.