Do these statements sound familiar? It’s not unusual for misinformed individuals to hold these perceptions of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, more commonly referred to as ADHD. Ever since the American Psychiatric Association named the condition in 1987, and both parents and doctors have become increasingly aware of its symptoms, diagnoses of ADHD have steadily risen.
Despite this, many people still don’t fully comprehend ADHD. Some even dismiss it as behavioral problems masked with the name of a made-up (or over-diagnosed) condition.
This is one of the reasons that health experts dedicate ADHD Awareness Month—observed every October across the United States—to helping the general public understand what the condition entails and how they can appropriately interact with a child, or even an adult, who has it.
Here are a few common questions you might have about ADHD, along with the information you should know to clear up any misconceptions you’ve previously heard:
Is ADHD even a real medical condition?
Yes, according to experts with the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of Education, and the American Psychiatric Association; all agree that ADHD is a real neurobiological disorder. In fact, ADHD is protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act, meaning it is against the law to discriminate against a person with ADHD.
And yes, experts also agree that it is as prevalent as diagnoses would indicate it is. The challenging part is that ADHD, like autism, is diagnosed based on symptoms rather than an evaluation like a brain scan or blood work; furthermore, the condition exists on a spectrum, so some children will have more severe cases than others.
Understood, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing resources and support for people who think and learn differently, estimates that ADHD is one of the most common childhood conditions and it affects millions of American children and adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 9 percent of children have ADHD.
Does ADHD mean a kid will always be hyperactive?
No, hyperactivity is a common symptom, but it isn’t one that every child exhibits. There are three types of ADHD experienced:
Hyperactive: This is the type most people think of when they hear ADHD. It’s marked by restlessness and difficulty controlling impulses or activity level.
Inattentive: With this type of ADHD, children are more likely to daydream, get distracted, or easily become bored. They struggle to pay attention and stay focused, especially when they are not interested in the task at hand. To complicate matters, people with ADHD might have hyperfocus on specific interests that appeal to them, so a child might struggle to focus on their homework, but they will be hyperfocused on a video game.
Combined: This type of ADHD is marked by a combination of hyperactivity and inattentiveness.
It’s important for parents and educators to remember that although ADHD can cause problems for children who are trying to learn, it isn’t a learning disability; however, certain learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, can still coincide with ADHD.
Are parents to blame for not disciplining their kid?
No. ADHD is not a result of anything that parents have done. A person with ADHD actually has a brain that functions and is structured differently. Researchers have not been able to identify an exact cause, but they have determined it to be a genetic condition marked by chemical imbalance in the brain.
Where parenting does come into play is how well a child copes and progresses with ADHD. Structure, for example, can be very important, but punishment for restlessness and hyperactivity can be detrimental. Parents can seek behavior therapy for their children to help them develop social and planning skills that are hindered by ADHD, and they can work with their child’s teacher to stay in the loop about their child’s performance in school.
Can girls have ADHD, or is it just boys?
Both boys and girls can have ADHD. In fact, ADHD doesn’t discriminate—anyone regardless of their age, gender, race, religion, IQ, education level, and socioeconomic background can have ADHD. Statistically speaking, boys are twice as likely as girls to be diagnosed. ADHD in boys might be more noticeable to the untrained observer because boys tend to have more trouble with hyperactivity and girls are more inclined to daydream or have trouble focusing.
Can you cure ADHD with medication or grow out of it when you become an adult?
About 75 percent of children with ADHD grow up to be adults with ADHD. The condition can even worsen as they mature, and adults with ADHD could be affected by anxiety, mood disorders, substance abuse, and addictions. The struggles caused by ADHD mean that they could have trouble in social or romantic relationships as well as their professional endeavors, and it can even get them into financial or legal trouble.
Although medication is available for ADHD, it isn’t a cure-all for every aspect of the condition. Medication can help a child focus and control their activity or impulsiveness, but it won’t automatically teach them social skills or organizational skills—these are abilities that children must conquer on their own or with therapeutic help.
