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After being diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) at the age of 22, I learned quickly how little people knew about the mental health disorder.
ADHD is one of the most common learning barriers and often when I told people about my struggles with the neurological disorder, I was met with comments about how I was just making excuses for not trying harder or I was told I couldn't possibly have ADHD since it only affected children.
The most annoying of all the comments were from individuals claiming they "totally think they have it" because they get bored quickly too or of other university students calling my bluff and insisting I lied to my doctors to "score" some medication.
It hit me that ADHD and ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) had become trends, but that not enough people were doing the research required to understand why these disorders present genuine difficulties.
An estimated 16% of the school-age population is affected by ADHD in South Africa. However, many parents and teachers don't understand the mental health condition or do not know about the disorder at all.
There are multiple problematic misconceptions that the disorder falls prey to, so here are 5 commonly believed ADHD myths to debunk.
Myth: ADHD only affects children.
The most common myth is that ADHD is a mental disorder that only affects young children and that it is something that can be grown out of.
This is true for some, but 60% to 70% of patients' symptoms continue into adulthood.
Though ADHD symptoms change over time, the disorder itself is rarely outgrown.
Also see: ADHD and Covid-19: A toxic mix
Myth: Individuals with ADHD are just naughty.
Individuals with ADHD can present as either the inattentive type, the hyperactive-impulsive type or a combination of both.
The hyperactive-impulsive type can often be talkative, disruptive and a classic "busybody".
This can be perceived by parents and teachers as attention-seeking behaviour or a consequence of bad parenting.
As a girl who displayed many typical hyperactive symptoms such as fidgeting, speaking out of turn, pacing up and down and swaying side to side – I'd often get told that I was annoying, overconfident or immature.
What is important to understand about the ADHD brain and the related impulsivity is that there is often no filter between thought and action and that this is very difficult and frustrating to overcome.
Therefore, attributing these issues to character flaws only leaves room for anxiety, low self-esteem and imposter syndrome to thrive.
Myth: ADHD individuals lack willpower.
The phrase "you can do it if you put your mind to it" doesn't always hold true.
The belief that someone with ADHD has a choice in the behaviour they display and that they could complete their tasks if they actually wanted to trivialises the true struggles that ADHD can present.
Low levels of dopamine are a trademark of ADHD, and this causes individuals with the disorder not to recognise long-term rewards resulting in a lack of motivation.
Before I was diagnosed, all of my evening study sessions had to include a large, caffeinated beverage and many sugary snacks to keep me stimulated enough to complete my tasks.
After months of all-nighters, my peers and course-mates joked that I practically lived in the 24-hour library, and yet I always managed to fall behind twice as fast as my classmates.
I later figured out that I never lacked willpower or intellectual capacity, but that I had to work 5 times as hard as my neurotypical classmates just to keep up, especially when my ADHD was untreated.
Myth: ADHD medication is a cure.
I've been taking Ritalin consistently for under a year now and it's safe to say that I'm far from cured.
I'm certainly more productive and it is less overwhelming and more motivating to start and finish tasks knowing that I'm more likely to reach my goals in the planned time. However, I still have to write down every task I'm given, I still have to set a series of alarms for waking up, some just for taking my medication, and a couple more for cleaning and exercising at the end of the day.
Though ADHD medications, such as Ritalin and Concerta, are progressive in helping with concentration and productivity, they do not help with time-management, organisational skills, prioritisation and the emotional component of the disorder.
Myth: ADHD medication is addictive.
Given that ADHD brains search for stimulation that increases dopamine more intensely, how individuals with ADHD might self-medicate is concerning.
Like many prescription medications, if ADHD medications are abused, there is always the risk of addiction.
However, untreated ADHD is closely linked to drug addiction and substance abuse issues, arguably making it more dangerous to refrain from treatment.
Must read: Anxiety at school: Helping your child survive and thrive
Advice for parents and teachers of ADHD children:
For parents who are trying to better understand how to support someone with ADHD, here are some tips to get you started:
- Remind your children not only to draw up lists of tasks to complete, but also to keep count of their completed tasks and accomplishments. This may help with relieving anxiety, boosting self-esteem and alleviating feelings of defeat.
- Tell your child of successful icons and leaders who have ADHD to remind them that they are still capable of amazing things despite their diagnosis. ADHD is not a life sentence of failure.
- ADHD can also cause rejection sensitivity, so refrain from belittling language such as referring to your child directly as lazy, too much or not enough.
- Do as much research as you can to understand your child and their behaviour.
- Do not look down on psychological help and prescribed medication. Seek as much professional attention and advice as you can as a diagnosis can provide your child with some relief and hope.
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