Common Myths About ADHD

October is Attention Deficit Hyperactively Disorder (ADHD) awareness month. So lets shine a light on some of the common and harmful myths about ADHD.

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1. ADHD isn't real/is over diagnosed

One of the most common myths it that the pharmaceutical industry is behind ADHD because it has a financial incentive to sell ADHD drugs. Therefore ADHD is either fake or over diagnosed, with children being prescribed medication that is unneeded or even harmful. A well known proponent of this idea is investigative journalist Alan Schwarz who wrote his book ADHD Nation on. This myth is especially harmful because it can discourage people from seeking treatment for themselves or their children. However the mainstream medical consensus is clear and backed up by decades of research with an increasing amount of data showing that people with ADHD have recognisable genetic traits, chemical differences, and structural variations in their brains.Organisations such World Health Organisation, The American Centre for Disease Control, The Australian National Health and Medical Research Council, The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists and the American Psychiatric Association agree that that ADHD exists, and it is able to be defined and recognised by its symptoms. As a diagnosis ADHD has existed for over a century in different forms, first being described in 1902 by Sir George Still as "Mental Restlessness". It was included in the first edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in 1952 as "Minimal Brain Dysfunction". It was first officially known as ADHD in 1987 in the third edition of the DSM. The diagnosis was further refined in subsequent DSM versions as understanding grew and the current fifth DSM edition defines three subtypes of ADHD.

This knowledge will help us understand how ADHD works, how it affects people with ADHD, design better treatments in the long term, and ultimately it will help people who have ADHD understand themselves better.


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2. Diet causes ADHD

There has been an enormous amount of research performed on the possibility of a link between dietary factors that may be causing ADHD. When the United States Food Advisory Committee for the Food and Drug Administration held hearings on the potential effect of synthetic food dyes on behaviour in 2011, they found there is a small link between synthetic food dyes and outcomes on behaviour. However the impact isn't limited to children with ADHD and cannot be considered a cause of ADHD. Similarly, analyses of 23 studies that looked for food-related reasons for ADHD found an elimination diet focusing on food sensitivities did not improve symptoms any more than a placebo diet.A healthy diet and ensuring that you don’t have any food sensitivities is important for people with ADHD, but only for the same reasons as everyone else.

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3. Only Kids have ADHD or You can "outgrow" ADHD.

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, meaning it is a brain-based, biological disorder. Research published by the Journal of Behavioural and Brain Functions shows the brains of people with ADHD have structural and chemical differences which affect how our brains work. MRI research performed on children and adults with ADHD published by Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica show these structural differences do not go away as we become adults. If you are diagnosed with ADHD as a child, you are likely to be affected to some degree throughout your whole life.

However, research published by the Official Journal of the World Psychiatric Association found that only 11% of Adults with ADHD overwhelmingly adults with ADHD are diagnosed and receiving treatment. The effects of untreated ADHD can be devastating for adults and children alike. Studies in the journal of ADHD Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders and the Journal of attention disorders show ADHD can interfere with school, work, relationships and even lead to trouble with the law especially when undiagnosed or untreated.


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4. Environmental toxins cause ADHD. There are indications to suggest that environmental factors do play a part in developing ADHD.The Journal of Environmental Health Perspectives points to Environmental factors such as brain injury or high exposure lead as environmental factors that potentially contribute to developing ADHD in certain cases. However they are not the only factor leading to ADHD.As mentioned previously, research shows ADHD is a complex disorder and there a substantial genetic component to ADHD. For example, according to The National Human Genome Research Institute if you have ADHD a majority of identical twins share ADHD as a trait.

5. Everyone is a "little bit ADHD"

At some point in their life, most people will encounter the symptoms of ADHD such as have issues focusing on a task. However, this is in no way the same thing as having ADHD. Unfortunately, it is common to hear “I am feeling SOOOOOO ADHD today” when someone is feeling scatterbrained. While some of the symptoms of ADHD such as Hyperactively, forgetfulness or struggling to pay attention are universal human experiences, but it isn’t the same as having ADHD. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder. It is much more complicated than just being hyperactive, or forgetful. For those of us who struggle with ADHD every day, it is frustrating as well as hurtful at times to have people use your diagnosis as a way of saying “I am feeling forgetful today”.

\October is Attention Deficit Hyperactively Disorder (ADHD) awareness month. So lets shine a light on some of the common and harmful myths about.