These common misconceptions can make life with ADHD more difficult for people. That can lead to challenges with friendships, relationships, and social situations or the workplace.

People who live with this condition experience misconceptions surrounding ADHD, which can make it more difficult to be around classmates or colleagues and lead to distress because of how these myths make you feel.

These misunderstandings about the condition are harmful to the community. They can result in problems such as delays in diagnosis and access to treatment, not to mention leaving people feeling misunderstood.

In general, young girls aren’t as likely to be as hyperactive as young boys or display as many behavioral issues compared to boys, so people often don’t recognize ADHD in girls.

As a result, girls are less likely to be referred for an evaluation of ADHD.

The problem with this myth is that, because girls with ADHD often go untreated, their condition can progress, increasing symptoms that may include:

  • mood
  • anxiety
  • other comorbid disorders in adulthood
  • difficulty with social interactions

It’s for this reason that it’s really important to improve our ability to identify girls with ADHD and provide them with the support they need.

Some adults with ADHD will bring their parents into their appointments, and they share how guilty they feel about not doing more to help their child succeed and manage symptoms when they were younger.

This often stems from the myth that “poor parenting” causes ADHD.

This is not true.

Structure is important for someone with ADHD.

While stricter parenting may heighten hyperactivity and tension for children who are at risk for ADHD, there isn’t a direct cause-and-effect relationship between the two.

Research suggests that parenting style and family environments may play a part in ADHD symptoms and how those appear in children, but it’s not that they are causing ADHD to develop.

But punishing a child for symptoms—whether blurting out words, restlessness, hyperactivity, or impulsivity—can be more harmful in the long run.

This is why professional interventions such as psychotherapy and medications can be helpful.

Although ADHD symptoms may appear as disinterest, disorganization, and a lack of motivation unless it’s related to an activity they truly enjoy, this may be mistaken for laziness.

However, the reality is that people with ADHD truly want to succeed but may struggle to initiate and complete what others may consider “simple” tasks.

Even sorting through mail or answering an email can be daunting because it requires a lot more sustained mental energy for someone with this condition.

This myth can be especially harmful, as these judgments can leave people with a sense of failure, which can progress to poor self-esteem and a lack of confidence in pursuing life’s ventures.

While ADHD isn’t life threatening, it can affect overall quality of life, and those with ADHD are more likely to experience:

Meanwhile, people with ADHD may experience challenges in keeping employment or doing their job. Research shows that adults with ADHD may have difficulties at work, from keeping up with their responsibilities to constantly being watched by colleagues or bosses for potential slip-ups.

This means they live in continual fear of losing their jobs and being unable to keep up financially, which can take a toll on their personal life.

Folks with ADHD may require more time to complete tasks in order to thrive, and not all employers are willing to accommodate those needs.

Research has demonstrated differences between a brain with ADHD and one without it, in addition to differences in how brain chemicals such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and glutamate operate.

The parts of the brain involved in ADHD play an important part in our “executive functions,” such as:

  • planning
  • organizing
  • initiating tasks

Research has found that ADHD may have a genetic component and that in identical twins, if one twin has ADHD, the other may have it as well.

People with ADHD may feel judged and unfairly labelled because of their condition. This can affect how personal and professional relationships function in those roles.

For these reasons and more, the myths that surround ADHD need dispelling to help raise awareness about this condition and provide folks within the community to help people with ADHD get what they need to succeed in all aspects of their lives.

Ways you can find help for ADHD

If you or someone you know has ADHD, you can find more information and support to help with a new ADHD diagnosis, or for life with this condition.