Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a behavioral disorder. Although it is the most commonly studied developmental disorder, it has many myths surrounding it all over the world. Mentioned ahead are some of the popular myths about ADD/ADHD.
Only hyperactive kids have ADD/ADHD
Not all children with ADD/ADHD may be excessively energetic or noisy. The fact is that kids with ADHD are essentially withdrawn and quiet. American Psychiatric Association divides ADHD into three sub-types: hyperactive-impulsive, inattentive and combined.Children with hyperactive-impulse symptoms would be noisy and extremely energetic whereas kids with inattentive ADHD would get easily distracted and sometimes appear forgetful as well. They tend to be reserved most of the times. It has been proved that children with different characteristic can have ADD/ADHD . Thus, proper diagnosis is extremely important.ADHD is over-diagnosed
It has been seen that the media , parents and even physicians believe in the claim that ADHD is over diagnosed. They are of the opinion that most of the kids diagnosed with ADHD are very energetic and immature. It is true that sometimes physicians diagnose a case as ADHD much before the complete evaluation is done. However, this does not prove that ADHD is over-diagnosed in general population. Statistics show that about 5% to 9% of the youth is suffering from ADHD worldwide.People with ADD/ADHD are not intelligent
People who are suffering from ADD/ADHD believe in two things pertaining to their disease: i) they are not intelligent and ii) they cannot succeed in life as well. Even the people around them think the same. However, they are absolutely wrong. Doctors are of the opinion that people with ADHD are far from being unintelligent. They are of the opinion that people with ADHD can be extremely bright. In fact, Nobel Prize winner Albert Einstein had ADHD.People with ADD/ADHD cannot pay attention
The belief that ADHD patients cannot pay attention is completely false as stated by some renowned doctors. They are of the opinion that if a person with ADHD finds something challenging or interesting, he or she is sure to pay attention. In fact, this person would be able to pay more attention. This is true that people who are related to such patient would say that the person has given extra effort to pay attention. However, extra effort has nothing to do with it. Anybody can pay attention to something interesting . The same is applicable for a suffering from ADD/ADHD.Kids would outgrow ADHD
The belief that children would outgrow ADHD is completely false. In the past, doctors told the parents of young patients with ADHD that the problem would disappear with age. However, this did not happen and could never happen. As per statistics 60% of kids with ADHD have grown up with the disease and thus became adult ADHD patients. The current statistics shows that about 4% of adult US citizens have ADD/ADHD.Kids taking medicines for ADHD are likely to take drugs when they grow
A minimum of 15 studies are there that can debunk this myth. It has been proved that children on proper medicines for ADHD are less likely to fall in the trap of drug abuse than children with ADHD on no medication that is required. Researchers are of the opinion that young ADHD patients taking recommended dosages of medicines are at a reduced risk of self-medication at later stage.
Teachers decide the medication for ADHD
It is true that teachers are involved during the diagnosis of a kid who might have ADHD but only the doctors would decide the medications. Moreover, a doctor would only prescribe the medication after full evaluation of the patient. He or she would take into account every behavior of the kid to diagnose ADHD.Only boys have ADD/ADHD
This is the funniest of all myths. Except for a few diseases like breast cancer, poly cystic ovarian disorder, azoospermia, etc. no other disease can be restricted to only boys or girls. In the past, it was thought that only boys have or can have ADHD. However, with the passage of time it has been seen and proved that girls have or can have ADD/ADHD.Hence, proper diagnosis and treatment of females should be done as well. This is to ensure that they do not suffer from any further problem like anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, etc.Ritalin cures ADHD
Methylphenidate (Ritalin) is a drug that is prescribed to treat this disease more often. However, this cannot cure the condition. No drug can cure ADHD completely. These drugs can control symptoms but cannot cure the disease.
