Myth #1: “Everyone” has it because it’s a fad.

The claim that “everyone has ADHD” is a significant oversimplification and not supported by research.   ADHD affects about 5 to 10 percent of children, with varying rates among adults as more providers and adult are recognizing undiagnosed populations.  To be diagnosed with ADHD, specific criteria need to be met in some or all of these areas:

1. Inattention
2. Hyperactivity
3. Impulsivity
4. Daily impairment of function in multiple settings

Many behaviors in ADHD are common human experiences, such as distractibility.  However, having these traits or experiences do not mean one has ADHD which must meet certain clinical criteria. Generalizing ADHD doesn’t help children or families cope with the disorder.  For example, a child with ADHD may be hyperactive and unable to focus on non-preferred tasks (think boring homework), but may be calm and hyper focused when doing a preferred task (think video games). 

Myth #2: Medication is the only treatment for ADHD

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends behavioral therapy as a first-line treatment for preschool-aged children with ADHD, while for older children and adolescents, a combination of medication and behavioral interventions is often most effective.  Behavioral therapies and family support have been shown to be critical in the long-term management and positive outcomes for those with  ADHD.  Supports should be present at both home and school to help a child with ADHD have the most success. Creating structured environments, implementing individualized education plans (IEPs), and training teachers in ADHD management strategies can lead to significant improvements in a child’s functioning without relying solely on medication.

Myth #3: Only boys have ADHD

While boys are twice as likely to be diagnosed with ADHD, girls with ADHD are beginning to get more attention as the difference in the way symptoms are exhibited get more recognition.  Boys are more likely to exhibit hyperactive and impulsive behaviors, which are more noticeable and often lead to earlier diagnoses. In contrast, girls may present with inattentive symptoms, which can be less disruptive and therefore more easily overlooked.  This difference in symptom presentation can contribute to underdiagnosis in girls. Since girls are more likely to present as the inattentive type, they are often described as “shy” when in reality they are quiet due to inattention. Girls tend to have more comorbidities with ADHD, displaying signs of low self esteem, anxiety and depression as they try to mask their symptoms, most likely due to societal pressures of how girls show behave both socially and academically.

Myth #4: Children outgrow ADHD 

Studies indicate that ADHD often persists into adolescence and adulthood, with 50 to 70 percent of children diagnosed with it continue to experience symptoms.  While some children show improvement in symptoms with time, because it is a neurological disorder, symptoms may change as adults depending on the academic or occupational setting. Children with ADHD are also at higher risk of developing other mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression, which can complicate or mask ADHD symptoms. Early intervention, behavioral therapies, and educational support can significantly help manage ADHD symptoms, but this does not mean the disorder is outgrown.  Another harmful aspect of this myth is that children, adolescents and adults with ADHD are often called lazy.  In reality, ADHD prevents them from remembering the day to day functions that are typical in our society.  Misconstruing what is actually a condition and assigning is a behavior can lead to anxiety, depression and low self esteem.