8 Things We Need to Know About ADHD
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD or ADD) is a commonly diagnosed medical disorder affecting the nervous system. A diagnosis is typically determined during childhood. The disorder is associated with difficulty staying focused (i.e. inattentiveness), controlling one’s behavior (impulsivity), and hyperactivity (increased activity outside of typical norms). According to the CDC, there are 3 types of attention-deficit disorders: predominantly inattentive type, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type, and combined presentation.
Despite science providing guidelines and a context for an ADHD diagnosis, misconceptions about the disorder are abundant. Some reduce ADHD to “kids misbehavin’ “or do not consider ADHD as a legitimate condition. Let’s clear things up about ADHD with facts, statistics, and debunking misconceptions. Links to the sources are included below the article.
1. ADHD is often genetic.
ADHD can be passed from parent to child. According to a medically reviewed article in
ADDitude magazine, “at least one-third of all fathers who had ADHD in their youth have children with the condition.” What’s more, the majority of identical twins share the ADHD trait. In a current study, scientists are improving diagnoses and treatments of ADHD by linking individual adolescents with ADHD to relatives who have the disorder.
2. ADHD especially affects boys.
True! Boys are diagnosed two to three times as often as girls. Studies focused on gender
differences show the highly noticeable symptom of hyperactivity is more prevalent in boys over girls. In fact, the percentage of ADHD affecting boys is almost doubled compared to girls, according to 2019 statistics.
3. ADHD only affects children.
No! Kids do not grow out of ADHD. The condition lasts into adulthood. About 70 out of 100 children with ADHD continue to have symptoms during their teen years and about 50 out of 100 have symptoms into adulthood. Adult symptoms include fidgeting, consistent difficulty managing time, and tendency to extremes. It is worth noting that an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood is often not determined at all. This is because by adulthood, an individual has most likely have learned to manage their symptoms and
function as required by work, family, and societal expectations.
4. ADHD means you are lazy or dumb.
ADHD does not discriminate. It affects a variety of individuals, regardless of their IQ.
Don’t be fooled: ADHD cuts across all intellectual levels of individuals. Both children and adults with ADHD can be high achievers. Having ADHD does not mean the person is lazy or dumb. It does mean that the individual may need to work to manage symptoms while also fulfilling school, work, familial, and societal expectations.
5. ADHD is treatable, best with behavioral therapy.
Behavioral therapy to manage behavioral impulses for children with ADHD is highly recommended, especially for younger children and teens. Therapies that focus on parental training, classroom instruction and interventions are key to symptom management in the home and school setting. Cognitive behavior therapy, or CBT has been found to be beneficial for children and adults alike, across a wide variety of issues and concerns. Medication can be prescribed for instances in which the individual has extreme difficulties managing behavioral symptoms.
6. Having excess sugar does not necessarily cause ADHD.
Here’s the great sugar causation debate: Does eating a lot of sugary foods cause ADHD, particularly for kids? Despite arguments from many parents of children with ADHD and others, as of now, science has not found a clear correlation between sugar intake and development of ADHD and hyperactivity. Due to limited and conflicting studies, more research is needed to settle the debate.
On the other hand, I typically advise parents to “do more of what works.” If a family has found positive results through cutting out sugar or focusing on certain, healthy foods, then I am with you wholeheartedly.
7. ADHD is not caused by bad parenting.
Not at all! To emphasize, ADHD is a scientifically based disorder, linked to genetics and reinforced by environment. Bad parenting is not the cause. Often, parents of a child with ADHD try the best they can to help their children thrive- not the opposite. Parents can learn how to manage behavioral symptoms through systems such as positive parenting and behavioral parent training.
8. People with ADHD are more likely to have problems with sleep.
True! It is harder for those coping with ADHD to maintain healthy sleep routines than others who are “neurotypical” (not with ADHD). Sleep disturbances include difficulty falling asleep, feeling restless, and difficulty waking up.
Get your additional questions answered at marinabarbosapsychhealth@gmail.com. I will support you in any way I can.
Take Care & Be Well, Marina