Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a complicated and often misunderstood disease even among those accepting of mental illnesses. Misconceptions surrounding the condition are propagated by pop culture and false information to the extent that it is difficult to separate fact from fiction.
You can only develop ADHD when you are young
This misconception is two-fold. While more than one in 10 children in the United States has been diagnosed with ADHD, it is a disorder that not only affects adults but can be developed in adulthood. Many children don’t outgrow ADHD. Recent studies show that ADHD persists to adolescence in 50-80% of cases.
Eating too much sugar can cause ADHD
This is a conflation of the ADHD stereotype of hyperactivity with a sugar rush. It should be easy to tell the difference as a sugar rush is often followed by an intense fall off of energy — a crash. A professional can easily discern between a neurological condition and an overconsumption of sugar.
It’s impossible to live a fulfilling life with ADHD
ADHD is both extremely treatable and well understood. Therapists and Psychiatrists are well-versed in behavioral strategies and medical treatments that can help curb the symptoms and drawbacks of the condition. It’s a time-consuming process but some of the most successful people in their field have displayed symptoms of ADHD. Michael Phelps, Richard Branson, and even Leonardo da Vinci are all believed to have ADHD.
Finding out if you ADHD
While pop culture and social media have done their part in disseminating misinformation, the proliferation of “mental illness influencers” has cast a spotlight on the condition. Through TikTok, Instagram, etc., more people are brushing against ADHD and what it can look like. Influencers share anecdotes that help to normalize ADHD while showcasing real-life examples that spur people to seek their diagnoses.
General coping strategies
ADHD varies from person to person but some commonalities tend to exist. According to Dr. Russell A. Barkley, an internationally recognized authority on ADHD in children and adults, said, “ADHD is the diabetes of mental health: it needs adjustments and accommodations made ‘in the wild’ to mitigate its symptoms.”
- To-Do Lists: Short-term memory retention can be an issue for people suffering from ADHD so getting information down on paper or an app can do wonders in freeing up the brain to process other tasks.
- Utilizing Timers: Using periods — for example the Pomodoro technique — to break tasks into digestible chunks can be useful. An alarming timer can also remind you to refocus.
- Calendars: Calendar blocking can be a useful practice in structuring days and eliminating decision paralysis.
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