ADHD or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder currently affects nearly 11% of children in the country, but what is truly surprising is that the surge of the condition among adults. Typically, ADHD is a childhood disorder, but it is now being widely accepted that it affects individuals after adolescence too. As with any health condition, there are various myths and facts associated with it that you need to know about so as to deal with it adequately.
1. ADHD myth: ADHD is not a real condition
It is just the child acting out and strict discipline should help take care of the same.
Fact: A child with ADHD is not throwing a tantrum or acting out and it most certainly is not a question of the child’s will either. A child diagnosed with ADHD does not misbehave by choice.
2. ADHD myth: ADHD is caused by bad parenting
Some people tend to think that firm discipline alone would be enough to cure the condition.
Fact: ADHD is not caused by bad parenting but instead it is an actual health disorder. A parent can modify their parenting techniques which can help alleviate some of the symptoms instead of making it worse
3. ADHD myth: ADHD is more or less a life-long disorder.
Fact: ADHD is a condition that could well last into adulthood, and with the right training, patients can manage their condition. Patients who have been diagnosed with ADHD tend to be quite creative and at times may even outperform normal people, given the right conditions for their growth and development.
4. ADHD myth: A person who has been diagnosed with ADHD must be dumb.
Fact: ADHD patients are not dumb and happen to be quiet intelligent. Some very intelligent people in history have had to deal with ADHD as well.
5. ADHD myth: ADHD and its medications
It is commonly believed that a child has ADHD if his symptoms respond to certain types of medications (psychostimulants).
Fact: Children who do not have ADHD respond to these psychostimulants, which is why using this as a diagnostic test is a faulty decision.
6. ADHD myth: ADHD medications cause grogginess
The medication that the physician may prescribe for one’s current condition may make them seem drugged.
Fact: The doctor will first assess one’s current condition and evaluate the same. After this, he/she will prescribe a course of medication and adjust the dosage accordingly. This might enable one to sharpen their focus and to concentrate better.
7. ADHD myth: ADHD is overdiagnosed
Given the spiraling statistics concerning ADHD, it is widely believed that the condition is being over-diagnosed.
Fact: Currently ADHD affects about 2-10% of children in the US, there is no material evidence to support the claim that this condition is being over-diagnosed deliberately.
8. ADHD myth: Children outgrow ADHD
Fact: Nothing could be further from the truth; while for some children their condition was more of a transitory phase, it is not the case with others. Some children outgrow their ADHD phase, while for others; it lasts well into their teen years and a large percentage of this particular grouping continues to experience symptoms well into adulthood as well.