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ADD ADHD
Myths & Misconceptions
Research on ADD ADHD is expanding rapidly, and we learn more everyday about this disorder, and its causes, symptoms and solutions. As science advances, certain previously held beliefs are found to be untrue. Yet these myths remain in the popular knowledge of our society and soon begin to represent misleading and possible harmful information. The following are six common myths associated with Attention Deficit Disorder as well as an explanantion of what science has found to be the truth for each of these myths.
1. The myth: The symptoms of Attention Deficit represent normal childhhood behavior and are indicative of immaturity, not a disability.
Current scientific findings: While it is true that many children display periods of overactivity and immaturity, it is also true that the vast majority of these same children will have no significant problems in settling down the majority of the time in a classroom or other controlled setting in order to perform age-appropriate tasks. Conversely, in the diagnosis of Attention Deficit, we see a specific determination regarding a child's chronic, long-term and setting-specific inability to settle down and apply an extended period of focus commensurate with achieving the same age-appropriate tasks that normal children can handle with ease. What this means is that ADD ADHD may mimic childhood overactivity and misbehaviors, but the symptoms are present to such a significant degree that they cause performance, learning and behavior issues for the child. The American Psychiatric Society has recognized ADD ADHD as a medical disorder as defined in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Revision 4 (1994) (DSM-IV).
2. The myth: Attention Deficit Disorder is the result of poor parenting.
Current scientific findings: This myth is related to the myth that Attention Deficit Disorder reflects the poor behavior choices of a child, and that ADD ADHD is not a real medical disorder. If this were true, then clearly these misbehaving children must be the result of bad parenting! In fact, nothing could be farther from the truth. As described above, once we accept the idea that Attention Deficit Disorder is a recognized medical disorder, we look beyond the obvious conclusions and find that most parents of ADD ADHD children are extremely conscientious and involved in trying to help their child succeed. These parents have often developed highly advanced parenting skills out of the necessity of dealing with their child's behavior and school issues. Science has identified one important relationship between parents and their children with attention deficit issues -- there seems to be a strong genetic component in families with ADD ADHD. A child diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder will often have a parent who also displayed these behaviors as a child, teen or adult.
3. The myth: Children will outgrow ADD ADHD when they reach puberty and their teen years.
Current scientific findings: Current scientific studies have conclusively proven that Attention Deficit problems do not just "go away" when a child hits puberty. In fact, Attention Deficit Disorder is believed to
continue throughout a person's lifetime. However, in many teens and adults, the symptoms of ADD ADHD may appear to change or abate as the child matures simply because the teen or adult learns better management techniques to improve his or her focus, time management and organizational skills. Although the appearance of Attention Deficit symptoms may reduce as a child grows older, studies show that these teens and adults will continue to have higher levels of difficulty succeeding in school and careers, more legal and financial problems, and greater difficulty in managing personal and social relationships. An awareness of managing the effects of ADD ADHD will help a person throughout their lifetime.
4. The myth: ADD ADHD is primarily about hyperactive behavior.
Current scientific findings: Those not directly affected by an person with Attention Deficit Disorder may have primarily heard about only the hyperactivity aspect of ADD ADHD. In fact, while the hyperactive child might drive parents and teachers to distraction, the hyperactivity does not cause the biggest impact in a child's, teen's or adult's poor school, career or social performance. Rather, it is the less visible aspects of inattentativeness and poor impulse control that harm overall performance.
When a child or adult cannot focus well enough to understand a task or to finish it thoroughly, then the overall outcome will be poor. Similarly, when a child or adult acts impulsively, without thinking through all aspects of the situation or task, the outcome will again be poor. The management of ADD ADHD will be most successful when all three primary aspects (hyperactivity, inattention, impulsivity) are addressed.
5. The myth: ADD ADHD affects only boys and not girls.
Current scientific findings: This myth is similar to the myth about hyperactivity being the sole problem with Attention Deficit Disorder as we discussed above. In general, studies have concluded that ADD ADHD is more common in boys, but that it can also affect a lesser number of girls. The more subtle finding has been in the differences in how attention deficit problems are manifested in boys vs. girls. Boys with the hyperactivity component of ADD ADHD are often very visible in their classroom environment and will quickly be identified
for interventions and assistance. However, girls far more often display the inattentive variation of Attention Deficit Disorder. Rather than bouncing off the walls in the classroom like many boys, they are sitting quietly at their desks day-dreaming, unfocused and missing out on the
teacher's curriculum. This will result in their poor school performance, but without the rapid identification of their condition and with a delay in providing such girls with needed interventions and assistance. For both boys and girls, it's important to be cognizant of the less visible but just as harmful "inattentive" variation of ADD ADHD.
6. The myth: ADD ADHD is a popular U.S. cultural phenomenon rather than a legitimate medical condition.
Current scientific findings: This myth is similar to the popular opinions that Americans like their psycho-therapy appointments and their Prozac because we're all too spoiled or bored with our existence to experience the real ups and downs of life. For children with Attention Deficit, the myth goes farther and accuses parents of drugging their kids simply to quiet them down. As for the facts, we have already discussed the legitimacy of ADD ADHD as a specific identified medical condition. Regarding Attention Deficit Disorder as an American phenomenon, there have been studies conducted worldwide, from North America to Europe to Asia and Australia, that confirm finding ADD ADHD symptoms in relatively similar percentages of the population regardless of culture, socioeconomic conditions or race.
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