Challenging myths about . . . ADHD

The neurodiverse brain is creative, driven, passionate and different. For a long time society has been fearful of different, of which it can’t explain or fully understand. Therefore, myths and inaccuracies have become embedded in a name or word or a condition such as ADHD, forgoing the truth or reality of a developmental disorder or disregarding the strength of an neurodiverse brain.

ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a common neurodevelopmental condition that affects people’s behaviour. The condition is often first recognised in children, with late adult diagnosis also occurring. While ADHD can be managed, it impacts many aspects of a person’s life including their educational and professional achievements, relationships, and elements of their daily functioning. What we personally know about ADHD may be limited, meaning myths and inconsistencies regarding the condition can create an unreliable narrative leading us to believe the wrong thing building on ill-formed stereotypes. These harmful myths assert the belief that people with ADHD need to try harder at school, are lazy, or simply not smart.

If we choose to understand more, question the myths and avoid the stereotypes, we can appreciate what it is to be a neurodivergent person with ADHD. Dr Sharon Keane, senior clinical psychologist and cognitive analytic therapy practitioner at the Evidence-Based Therapy Centre in Galway, helps to dispel some of those deeply embedded falsehoods.

Myth: Everyone with ADHD has the same symptoms

The stereotype that children with ADHD are hyperactive, race around, can’t stop moving, fidgeting, or sit still is one of the most common myths, as is the belief that everyone with ADHD ticks the boxes of a preconceived list of symptoms.

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“ADHD presents differently person to person, but there will be some similarities in the symptoms people experience,” says Dr Keane. “There are three main ways that ADHD presents: as inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive, or combined inattention and hyperactive/impulsive. Even amongst individuals with the same ADHD presentation (let’s say inattentive), they won’t all have the same symptoms. Some people might be very distractible and easily lose their concentration and focus, while others might struggle more with losing or forgetting things.”

Myth: ADHD only affects males

The truth is gender does not play a factor in whether or not someone can have ADHD. This myth has been compounded by the fact that males are generally more likely to receive a diagnosis of ADHD than women. Dr Keane tells us that ADHD tends to be underdiagnosed in women as ADHD can look different for both boys and girls and as a result diagnosis may be delayed or overlooked in girls.

“Research from 2019 highlights the higher rates of diagnosis of ADHD in males in the general population,” she says, “but when clinical populations are looked at, the male-to-female ratio is smaller. Females with, for example, inattentive symptoms are more likely to receive a diagnosis of anxiety, depression, or other mental health difficulty, rather than a diagnosis of ADHD.”

Myth: ADHD only affects children

While ADHD is commonly diagnosed in childhood and symptoms can lesson or disappear as children get older, it does not mean that adults will not recognise symptoms of ADHD leading to a diagnosis.

Dr Keane says ADHD is commonly diagnosed in childhood and up until 2013 it was categorised as a disorder of childhood. However, she says, “The way we understand ADHD has changed over the years and there is much more awareness now of the way ADHD can affect people over the lifespan. Sadly, ADHD can be missed in childhood and people can be left struggling without appropriate support. Many children with ADHD will continue to experience symptoms and difficulties associated with their ADHD into adulthood, highlighting the need for services and support beyond childhood and adolescence. With the right support, people can learn strategies to help them achieve their goals and overcome obstacles.”

Myth: ADHD is a learning disability

ADHD is not a learning disability but may cause complications or difficulties in learning. “ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition rather than a learning disability,” says Dr Keane. “ADHD doesn’t directly affect a person’s ability to learn, but it can make learning more challenging due to difficulties with concentration, focus, hyperactivity, restlessness, etc.

“It is so important for people to receive the right support as early as possible, to help them engage with their learning environments and achieve their goals. Often, adults who receive a late diagnosis will report having not achieved their potential, whether this is in education or employment settings, because of the lack of support early on.”

Myth: It can’t be ADHD if you did well at school

This myth perpetuates the reasons many adults receive a late diagnosis or self-diagnose later in life. “Plenty of people who do well at school and in life have ADHD,” says Dr Keane. “It may be that there were helpful structures in place at home or at school that helped the person to engage with their schoolwork. It could also be that the person was able to hyperfocus on some topics or subjects, and this helped them to do well at school.

“Many adults who receive a late diagnosis report feeling as though they haven’t achieved their potential at school, didn’t do as well as they could have in exams, or would be in a better position if they had been able to study. They might still have done well at school but believe they could have done better if they had received more support.”

Myth: ADHD happens because of lazy or bad parenting, or poor diet

ADHD is not caused by bad parenting, is not due to a lack of discipline and is not the result of maternal or paternal disconnection. It is caused by brain differences that may be recognised no matter how a parent or caregiver raises a child.

“Parenting practices and nutrition may well have an impact on ADHD symptoms, but they don’t cause ADHD,” says Dr Keane. “Some people try to dismiss the validity of ADHD, saying that people are lazy, or that any difficult behaviours are the result of poor parenting practices or a bad diet, when this couldn’t be further from the truth. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition, which means that there are differences in how the brain of a neurodiverse individual works when compared to a neurotypical individual. These differences can be observed using imaging studies and are very real.”

Myths Series

1. Ageing
2. ADHD
3. Grief
4. Sexual health
5. Loneliness
6. Introverts
7. Imposter syndrome
8. Mental health
9. Rage in motherhood
10. Therapy
11. PTSD
12. Food safety
13. Endometriosis
14. Pregnancy
15. Frozen shoulder
16. Thyroid gland
17. Eating disorders
18. Chronic pain
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20. OCD
21. Happiness
22. Physiotherapy