Myth #1: ADHD isn’t real

This myth gained popularity due to misinformation on the internet.

ADHD traits are described throughout history, first by Hippocrates between 460-375 BC. In 1902 it was formalised by the Royal College of Physicians.

ADHD is likely to be inherited. Although no gene(s) have been identified there are strong patterns in families.

People with ADHD have smaller prefrontal regions and anomalies in actions of dopamine and noradrenaline neurotransmitters compared to neurotypical counterparts.

Social disability theory argues that ADHD should not be considered a disorder, as the ADHD neurotype is only disabling due to the structure of western society. However, in this society symptoms are disabling and so it is defined under the Equality Act 2010 alongside other less common neurotypes.

Myth #2: ADHD is an excuse for laziness

People with ADHD can struggle with tasks that are easy for others. This means they must work much harder than a neurotypical person to keep up, and so really are the opposite of lazy.

People with ADHD can excel in life if supported and are in an environment suited to their needs.

Myth #3: ADHD only affects children

ADHD begins in childhood but can affect people of any age. Around 50% of children diagnosed have symptoms persist into adulthood.

Many are not diagnosed as children due to diagnostic bias and misunderstanding, so often adults are diagnosed with ADHD, but discuss their childhood in assessments.

ADHD cannot be ‘cured’ as it is not a disease. People can ‘grow out’ of ADHD, but this usually means their symptoms have reduced so they appear more neurotypical. This can happen due to learning coping mechanisms, having a lifestyle more suited to their neurotype, or by ‘masking’ in which a neurodiverse person consciously or unconsciously learns to hide atypical traits to appear neurotypical.

Myth #4: ADHD only affects cis boys

In the past it was thought that ADHD mainly affected people assigned male at birth, but this is proven false. ADHD effects all genders equally, but it is systemically underdiagnosed in women, transgender people and gender non-conforming people, causing imbalanced statistics.

Symptoms may look different in women, but often behavioural differences are incorrectly explained using gendered stereotypes, like being ‘ditsy’.

Diagnosis of girls is improving but is not yet equal, and many adult women are being diagnosed as awareness increases. However, many struggle without diagnosis while male counterparts would have started receiving support in childhood.

I personally was not diagnosed with ADHD until I was 21, probably because my symptoms do not tend to match the images associated with either cis boys or stereotyped girls.

Myth #5: ADHD is over-diagnosed

This is simply untrue. Rates of diagnosis are increasing, but due to better knowledge and not abuse of the medical system. ADHD can only be diagnosed by a specialist Educational Psychologist or Psychiatrist are these professionals are monitored for accuracy.

However, many people with ADHD are misdiagnosed by other professionals not familiar with ADHD, and likelihood of this increases drastically in marginalised groups. ADHD is often perceived as an issue involving a white middle class young boy, erasing awareness of the impact on less represented groups.

Women are frequently misdiagnosed with bipolar or obsessive-compulsive disorders due to emotional symptoms, and bias in perceptions of women. Debunked studies from the 80’s and 90’s suggested women required less academic capacity or focus to live (in gendered roles such as a housewife) and it was widely believed that women had a lower average IQ and therefore ADHD traits were merely part of womanhood. While we know today this is vastly wrong, bias in diagnosis persists.  

People from ethnic minorities are most likely to be un- or mis-diagnosed. A 2013 study revealed African-American children are 69% less likely to be correctly diagnosed, and Latino children 50% less. While implicit biases are present across healthcare, black children are also more likely to be misdiagnosed with Oppositional Defiance Disorder, accompanied by far more damaging and inaccurate perceptions.

Myth #6: ADHD is caused by bad parenting

This is untrue, however bad parenting can exacerbate symptoms in children with ADHD and increases chances of developing mental health conditions as well.

Children with ADHD have needs that may differ from neurotypical children, and punishing behaviours associated with ADHD can harm the development and adjustment of young people.

Myth #7: People with ADHD aren’t academic

Now debunked older studies suggested ADHD is linked to lower IQ. Children who perform well academically are not diagnosed with ADHD as quickly, as symptoms are often first identified by teachers. When students perform well, their struggles are less likely to be noticed.

I have always been a pretty academic person- I easily passed the 11+ and attended grammar school where I got straight A’s and A*’s. I noticed a perception that those with learning difficulties would never have made it to a grammar school and so I, and others like me, could not possibly struggle with these things.

Many more academic people are diagnosed as young adults when they develop ability to self-advocate and experience increasing difficulties from parts of life other than school.

 ADHD does affect ability to display intelligence within the confines of westernised education systems, such as timed exams, which is why students may access Reasonable Adjustments.

Written records indicate that Albert Einstein, Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Edison all had ADHD!

Myth #8: People with ADHD are rude

Common ADHD traits are difficulties in conversations such as talking over people, interrupting and speaking out of turn, but this is not intended to make other uncomfortable.

This may not begin in childhood but later in life, making it harder to explain to friends and co-workers, as many expect these social norms to be learnt in childhood.

Speech regulation can improve with practice, but people adapt better if treated with kindness and empathy. Being perceived as rude (and therefore disliked) can cause intense anxiety for many.

Myth #9: Hyperactivity means moving around a lot

People imagine hyperactivity as an inability to sit still; however, it can be internal and involve fast-paced ideas, thoughts and drive to do many things at once.

I have never been physically hyperactive despite having combined type ADHD, hyperactivity for me can often look like having many hobbies and interests, saying yes to everything that interests me, and always having multiple projects on the go.

Myth #10: People with ADHD can’t concentrate

While people struggle with concentration, it is not an inability but difficulty regulating attention. People with ADHD can concentrate incredibly well (hyperfocus) on tasks, but struggle to move focus to something more important.

Myth #11: ADHD medication is bad

Stimulants have become popular recreational drugs in people without the condition, causing perceptions of stimulant medication to be damaged. While stimulant misuse may lead to dependence, treatment for ADHD is not a source of addiction.

ADHD medication is an important tool in allowing people to live to their full potential and exist in a world not designed for them. It is not a cure, but a tool people may choose to use to be happy and healthy.

Myth #12: ADHD is a bad thing

While ADHD can disadvantage people in our society, it’s not all bad. People with this neurotype are also more likely to have strong problem-solving ability, creativity, resilience, passion, enthusiasm, and ability to hyperfocus on things they care about.

Individuals with ADHD often find themselves in leadership due to their passionate nature and enhanced ability to see the bigger picture, encompassing many ideas simultaneously.

They may often be called an ‘ideas person’ due to their strong ability to link concepts and consider multiple trains of thought at once.

Anthropologists studying social disability and neurodivergence have suggested ADHD traits made early humans more likely to migrate to new areas, try new sources of food and develop new tools, making them leaders of early civilisations- evolution of ADHD may have been an advantage.

I cannot imagine my life or myself without the parts of me I have now learned are because of ADHD. While I don’t think the ADHD acronym is the best description of this neurotype, and I struggle with things others find easy, without ADHD I would not be so many of the things I love about myself.