ADHD Awareness Month: Myths vs. Facts
October is ADHD Awareness Month, a month designated to raising awareness and sharing information and/or resources around this disorder. ADHD, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, is one of the most common neurodevelopment disorders and is defined as a “long-term chronic brain condition that interferes with a person’s ability to manage their own emotions, thoughts and actions.”
Some symptoms/signs of ADHD can include:
Difficulty following instructions
Forgets things often
Being fidgety/has issues sitting still
Has trouble completing tasks
Becoming easily distracted
These symptoms are usually found in children with ADHD, although showing these signs does not automatically confirm a diagnosis. For adults, additional symptoms can include chronic boredom, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, mood swings, substance abuse and possible relationship problems.
While awareness around ADHD is growing, there are still myths surrounding this disorder, especially when it comes to ADHD in adults. The first myth is that ADHD is one that occurs only within children and/or goes away when you become an adult. However, both of these statements are false. While it may be true that, for most people, ADHD is diagnosed in childhood, these symptoms can continue to occur when you are an adult. The disorder itself doesn’t just go away, but for some it can become easier to manage the ADHD symptoms.
The second myth is that ADHD is over diagnosed, when in reality is that it is often being untreated and underdiagnosed. This is in response to the recent rates of ADHD diagnoses which is actually reported to be due to an increase in awareness and recognition of symptoms that may have been missed prior. A study conducted in 2021 found this to be especially true when it came to Asian, Black and Hispanic children born in the United States who are less likely to receive ADHD diagnoses and therefore, receive proper treatment and medication, if needed.
The third myth is that ADHD isn’t a real disorder, applying to both children and adults. However, ADHD has been recognized as a legitimate diagnosis by major medical, psychological and educational organizations and is biologically based. This means that it is a result of an imbalance of chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) within the brain. So, while experts still don’t understand the exact underlying causes of this disorder, ADHD is still a very real and reliable diagnosis.
If you find yourself having multiple of these symptoms yourself, it may be a good idea to talk to a mental health professional to get an official diagnosis, especially if these symptoms are causing severe disruption in your work and life, in general. Once receiving a diagnosis, if applicable, your provider will offer varying treatment options, such as medication and/or psychotherapy (or mental health therapy). You may also be able to request accommodations at your place of work, such as noise cancelling headphones to help minimize distractions or working from home, if possible.
While ADHD symptoms can have an impact on daily tasks, there are also ways to help manage them and knowing the facts vs. myths of ADHD can help with the de-stigmatization of the disorder and raising awareness around it.
Staff Blogger: Mollie Clupper
Mollie Clupper works for MHA as a Communications and Support Specialist. Using her own experiences, she wants to help bring awareness and end the stigma surrounding mental health. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, drinking coffee, and spending time with loved ones.