ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), is one of the most misunderstood conditions in today’s world. Despite growing awareness, several myths continue to circulate, often downplaying or misrepresenting the realities of living with ADHD.
So in this blog, I wanted to talk about some of the most common misconceptions and separate the facts from the fiction.
🧠 1: “Everyone Has ADHD These Days”
This one always comes up: “It feels like everyone has ADHD now.” It’s understandable that there are more diagnoses these days, so it might seem like ADHD is a “trend”, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. ADHD is a well-documented neurodevelopmental disorder..
What’s changed is our understanding of it. Today, we’re better at recognising ADHD, particularly in adults and women, who were often overlooked in the past. Personally, I was diagnosed as an adult, and it’s helped explain so much about how my brain works. It’s not that ADHD suddenly appeared out of nowhere—it’s just that we’re finally seeing the full picture.
🧬 2: “ADHD Is Just an Excuse”
Some people think ADHD is just an excuse for laziness, bad behaviour, hyperactivity, forgetfulness, impulsivity or lack of motivation or organisation or for poor conversational skills (like talking over people or going off at tangents). But reality is so much more complicated. ADHD isn’t about willpower, choosing not to focus or bad manners—it’s about how the brain processes information.
For many, ADHD affects the ability to manage time, stay organised, and keep track of what they are doing. It’s not a choice, and it’s definitely not an excuse. There are neurological differences at play, and those of us with ADHD often work harder just to stay afloat in areas that others find simple. It can be exhausting, but with the right support and tools, it can be managed.
For more information on how ADHD can present, see this post here.
3: “Only Children Have ADHD”
Another common misconception is that ADHD is something you grow out of. People often assume it’s a childhood condition that magically disappears when you become an adult. If only it were that simple.
ADHD is a lifelong condition, although the way it shows up can change over time. For example, hyperactivity might be more obvious in children, but as you get older, it can evolve into restlessness or mental fatigue or being a chatterbox. And ADHD puts you more at risk of burnout, something I have myself experienced in the past.
Personally, I wasn’t officially diagnosed until adulthood, but looking back, I can clearly see the signs from my childhood—like always being late for school, losing things constantly, and getting so absorbed in something that I’d tune out everything around me.
If anything, ADHD becomes more apparent as you take on the responsibilities of adulthood. Work, relationships, managing a household—all of these things require the exact skills that ADHD makes difficult. It’s why many adults, like myself, only get diagnosed later in life.
If you want to learn more information about my experiences with having ADHD and how I successfully manage it, see here.
📱 4: “ADHD Is Caused by Bad Parenting or Too Much Screentime”
There’s this belief that ADHD is a result of poor paren
ting or letting kids spend too much time in front of screens. But ADHD is a neurobiological condition—meaning it’s related to how the brain is structured and functions. It’s not caused by external factors like screen time or how someone is raised.
Research also suggests that genetics play a big role in the development of ADHD and while certain environments might influence how symptoms show up, they don’t cause ADHD. It’s not something you can discipline or train out of someone. Instead, it’s about understanding how the ADHD brain works and finding strategies to help manage the symptoms.
There is also positives to be had though, see this blog here for the positive side of it, and if you have ADHD, feel free to book an introductory call here.
Wishing you good health!
Kirsten
Comments