|
There are many negative perceptions and misinformation about ADHD. Not only does it hinder people from interacting properly with people who have ADHD, it also often prevents some parents from recognizing the symptoms and realizing what having ADHD means for their children.
Here are the 5 most prevalent myths about ADHD:
- Myth #1: ADHD is not a real disorder - Many people think that ADHD is a disorder invented largely by pharmaceutical companies just to be able to sell drugs and turn a profit. This myth has long been debunked by many studies and researches worldwide. The Surgeon General's Report of 2001 and the National Institutes of Health's study in 2000, along with the consensus of physicians, scientists, psychiatrists, clinical researchers show that ADHD is a valid disorder, and one with severe repercussions when left untreated.
Numerous studies show that children with ADHD left untreated grow into adolescents that are more likely to drop out of school, develop antisocial behavior, engage in dangerous and risky behavior, as well as become addicted to substances.
- Myth #2: Children will outgrow their ADHD - Some people believe that ADHD symptoms are very much like symptoms of normal, hyperactive children. They believe that kids with ADHD are just a bit more energetic and a lot less careless than other kids. However, long-term studies involving children with ADHD symptoms show that the signs of distractability, restlessness and other common ADHD markers don't go away with age. Rather, they get even more amplified as children grow older and may even develop co-morbid psychiatric disorders. Children who have untreated ADHD are more at risk of adverse conditions resulting from the symptoms later in their life. Studies show that ADHD is a lifelong disorder and can be best handled by looking at treatment as a framework that one works with on a permanent basis.
- Myth #3: Poor parenting causes children to develop ADHD - Many parents who find out that their children have ADHD struggle with the guilty feelings that they somehow did something that caused their children to develop ADHD. While poor parenting may exacerbate the symptoms of ADHD, studies show that parenting does not play a role in whether or not a child will develop ADHD. Environmental differences, however, do play a role in how different one's ADHD symptoms may be with others. They also contribute to the development of co-morbid psychiatric disorders down the road.
- Myth #4: It's usually boys that have ADHD - According to research, girls are less likely to get treated for ADHD because the symptoms are not generally noticeable with them than they are with boys. Studies also show that girls with ADHD have lower rate of hyperactivity, but a higher rate of intellectual impairment compared with boys. The fact is that girls usually have more internalizing disorder than boys, which means that they get noticed less and unfortunately, don't get the treatment that they need.
- Myth #5: Medication like Ritalin can "cure" ADHD - Medication for ADHD can be used as only part of the strategy of helping people cope with the symptoms of the disorder. It must be part of a larger treatment plan that includes dietary adjustments, a structured home life, a more individualized academic plan, and more.
|
