ADHD Facts and Myths

Although much remains unknown about the causes of ADHD, believing in myths and not the facts may be detrimental to the well being of your child.

ADHD facts about the nature of this behavioural disorder are aplenty and yet there still exists many myths about it. Granted that much is still not known about this medical condition, but believing in myths can be detrimental to kids as it delays their diagnosis and treatment.

One fact is that the disorder is for real, and yet there are people who go around claiming that it does not exist. This group of people claimed that the whole thing is a hoax perpetuated by the psychiatric community and pharmaceutical companies for financial gains. Researchers have been aware of ADHD for a couple of decades now.

Another fact is that it has been in existence for a very long time already. However, it was only in recent times that the scientific community has been able to describe it clearly. But to the ignorant, it is a childhood epidemic of the 1990s.

All children with ADHD are hyperactive is not a fact. It is a myth because some of them are merely inattentive, not hyperactive.

Another myth is that ADHD only affect boys. The ADHD facts are that girls too can have it but they are generally not as aggressive as boys.

Medication is the only cure is a myth. Successful treatment requires a multi-prong approach and medication represents only one of these approaches. The others include behavioural therapies and teaching remediation skills.

The ADHD facts concerning learning are that some children are smart and can pick up new knowledge very quickly. This is in contrast to some myths that all children inflicted with it have learning difficulties.

THERE are many myths and fallacies floating around. Here are the truth behind some most common ones.

     Myth: There is no such medical condition as ADHD.

     Fact:  ADHD disorder is a medical disorder, not a condition of the child's will. 

     Myth: It is caused by bad parenting. All the child needs is good discipline.

     Fact:  It is not caused by bad parenting, however, parenting techniques can often improve or worsen 
               some symptoms.

     Myth: ADHD is a life sentence.

     Fact:  Although the symptoms usually continue into adulthood, the person learns ways to cope with
              the symptoms. Some of them have plenty of energy, are creative, and can often accomplish more 
              than people who do not have the condition.

     Myth: Having ADHD means the person is lazy or dumb.

     Fact:  Some highly intelligent people have it, so it has nothing to do with a person's intellectual ability.

     Myth: The diagnosis is confirmed if certain medications (psychostimulants) have a positive effect on 
              what seem to be symptoms of ADHD.

     Fact:  Children without ADHD respond to psychostimulants similarly to children who have it. A trial of 
              medication is not used to diagnose the condition.

     Myth: Medication will make a person seem drugged.

     Fact:  Properly adjusted medication helps sharpen a person's focus and increases his or her ability to
              control behaviour.

     Myth: Psychostimulants are no longer useful after puberty.

     Fact:  Affected teens and adults continue to benefit from medication treatment.

     Myth: Children with ADHD are learning to use the condition as an excuse for their behaviour.

     Fact:  It is a disability, and children have to learn ways to deal with theirsymptoms (inattention, 
              impulsivity, and hyperactivity) that cause them to have difficulties in life.

     Myth: Children outgrow it.

     Fact:  About 70 per cent to 80 per cent of children with this disorder continue to have symptoms during
              their teen years,and about 50 per cent have symptoms into adulthood.

     Myth: If a child has ADHD, he or she can always be diagnosed in the health professional's office.

     ADHD Facts:  A child may not always show symptoms of ADHD, especially in an unfamiliar setting. 
     Evaluating a child from one office observation may result in failure to recognise or diagnose symptoms.

Continue reading to learn about ADHD disorder