ADD/ADHD affects a good number of children. The disorder includes the following symptoms: inattention, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity of a child, often to the point that it becomes destructive to his or her developmental growth.
Like most disorders, there have been some beliefs associated with the condition. Unfortunately, not all of these well-circulated information are true. Here are some of the myths you might have heard about ADD/ADHD:
Myth 1: Children are the only ones affected by ADD/ADHD
Not true. There have been adults diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, although the number is not as many compared to children. The symptoms of ADD/ADHD usually shows up before the age of 7 and this is when the disorder is usually diagnosed. However, considering the likelihood of ADD/ADHD occurring in a child with a relative suffering from the same problem, then it might be possible that parents or adult members of the family also has this condition. Oftentimes, the condition is overlapped by maturity, but adults will still be able to remember suffering from the same symptoms during their younger years.
Myth 2: ADHD/ADD can be cured
Not true. As mentioned above, ADD/ADHD symptoms may only be overlapped by maturity in adults, but it is still there. ADD/ADHD is a condition that affects the brain and, therefore, cannot be cured, only treated or managed. Hence, medications are not really there to “fix” the problem entirely. Their main purpose is to send signals to the brain so that the symptoms like impulsiveness and inattention will be minimized.
Myth 3: Poor parenting causes ADHD/ADD
Not true. This myth may have been the result of children with ADD/ADHD displaying more bad behavior than ordinary children. Parents who have children displaying ADD/ADHD symptoms often feel guilty with the belief that their bad parenting methods caused their child to be uncontrollable. The fact is that the true cause of ADD/ADHD is yet undetermined. Studies have shown that the condition has possible genetic roots since some sufferers are related to each other.
Myth 4: You don’t have ADD/ADHD if you can keep your focus
Not true. The fact is that children with ADD/ADHD have no trouble focusing on activities that they like. It is only when they are required to take on activities that they are not interested in and requires too much mental activity do they start to lose their focus (e.g., homework, studying). This is why the name itself “attention deficit” can be very confusing for people who don’t understand the full description of the disorder. Children with ADD/ADHD often have trouble finishing tasks, but this is also a symptom that can be found in other children who experience depression or stress. This is why diagnosis of the disorder takes time and requires a full review of the child’s history and habits.
Myth 5: The drugs used for ADD/ADHD can lead to drug addiction
The fact is that the medications used to treat ADD/ADHD like methamphetamine can be a bit harsh for children. However, the effects of not taking them can be greater than taking these drugs. ADD/ADHD is not only a condition that takes its toll on parents but also on the child. Once a child feels that he or she is not living to his or her parents expectations or is performing poorly, this could lead to stress and depression. Hence, it would be better for medications to be used rather than leave it all to other treatment methods. The catch is that children react to medications differently. Talk to your doctor prior to using any type of medication for ADD/ADHD. All in all, the risk of substance abuse for ADD/DHD medication is very low.
Myth 6: If you’re not hyperactive, you don’t have ADD/ADHD
The name itself confuses people about the true symptoms of ADD/ADHD. This disorder doesn’t always show traits of hyperactivity in a child. You see, there are different types of ADD/ADHD known today. There’s the predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type, the predominantly inattentive, and the combined typed. As the name suggests, the predominantly inattentive type doesn’t usually display signs of hyperactivity.
Since the symptoms of ADD/ADHD are also symptoms for other problems like stress and depression, diagnosis usually takes time with the subject being given a battery of tests to find out his or her attention levels. However, some parents do not really recognize the signs and attribute their child’s restlessness to the fact that kids will be kids.
If you are suspecting your child of having ADD/ADHD, then consulting the doctor is the most ideal step you should take. Although the symptoms may seem simple to notice, there are actually underlying factors that only the doctor could pinpoint.
As mentioned, ADD/ADHD is not a curable disorder. However, with the right treatment and medications, children who suffer from this problem can lead normal lives as they grow up.