Shattering ADHD Myths
MYTH: ADHD is just an excuse for laziness.
FACT: The fact is that ADHD often looks like a lack of willpower, an excuse for laziness, when it’s not! ADHD stems from chemical dynamics in the brain beyond voluntary control. Its symptoms arise due to neural messages not effectively transmitting, except when the task at hand is genuinely intriguing. Neural messages related to captivating tasks exhibit strength, leading to heightened motivation. On the other hand, messages for less interesting tasks tend to be weaker. Inadequate messaging might mistakenly label someone as unmotivated or lazy.
MYTH: ADHD affects only children.
FACT: Anyone can have ADHD! It affects adults, both women and men, often going undiagnosed. The conceptualization of the disorder has certainly broadened now to give equal or more weight to the problems with attention and inhibition than to those of hyperactivity. Our understanding of ADHD grows annually, encompassing all age groups and genders. Despite the misconception that individuals outgrow it, 50-86% of cases diagnosed in childhood persist into adulthood, albeit sometimes with altered manifestations. Proper treatment reshapes the perception of ADHD, showing it need not define one's life.
MYTH: If you have ADHD, you can’t focus.
FACT: People with ADHD possess the capacity for intense hyperfocus! That's why I prefer the term "Turbo Thinker©" — it reflects their abundant focus skills. When engaged in captivating activities, they might even lose track of time or biological needs. It is when the brain is bored that it begins to wander in all sorts of directions and speeds. Hyperfocus is just one of many strengths that Turbo Thinkers© wield. View our Why We Love Turbo Thinkers© download.
MYTH: Medication alone can rectify ADHD.
FACT: First of all, there is nothing to “fix.” Effective management starts with education and professional support. This is a story of pills and skills. While you may or may not take pills, you will always need skills. For example, you may need glasses to read, but you still need someone to teach you how to read. Ideally you have someone who can help you discover how you best read and retain information in an enjoyable way. This is how an ADHD coach can understand, encourage and support you.
MYTH: People with ADHD are losers.
FACT: While people with ADHD may struggle in school or flounder as adults, they can also excel. With appropriate guidance, those with ADHD can ascend to the zenith of their chosen domains. Nobel Prize laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, accomplished entrepreneurs, and top-tier CEOs include ADHD-afflicted individuals. ADHD should never be an insurmountable barrier.
Let's use ADHD Awareness Month to foster understanding and replace myths with knowledge. By debunking these misconceptions, we pave the way for empathy, support, and improved lives for those impacted by ADHD.
Learn more at adhdawarenessmonth.org
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