The research evidence is that medicating for ADHD actually reduces substance abuse. They are not addictive, whereas those with untreated ADHD are highly vulnerable, as they become adults, to succumbing to addiction – often by using illegal drugs to self-medicate. In fact, the medication has positive effects for over 80% of those with ADHD who try them. It is important to note that they do not give the sort of “rush” that those who use stimulants recreationally desire. This common (mis)understanding of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder often leads to treatment of the condition with stimulants which are chemically similar to some recreational drugs – and which can have adverse effects on those without the condition. Young girls (and older ones), can also have ADHD but are less likely to be diagnosed, both because they show less hyperactivity and because the present statistics show that ADHD is more prevalent among boys by a factor or about 2 or 3 to 1 – (though this may be partly due to these historic prejudices.) The familiar perception is of the most visible sign of ADHD which is at its most florid in young boys. That common perception of ADHD of badly behaved little boys being disruptive in class, is a huge element of the stereotypical prejudice in how many parents and teachers react to a diagnosis or even a suggestion that a diagnosis should be considered for their child.
In most cases, this is probably the best description of most people with ADHD as they really have a spectrum of types of behaviour, any of which, on their own, could be regarded as quite “normal”, but which when part of a larger picture, lead to a diagnosis of ADHD.Ĭommon Perceptions and Misunderstandings about ADHD Combined – As the name suggests, where there is a combination of inattention and hyperactivity. In children this is often missed as the resulting behaviour – daydreaming, inattentiveness, underachievement, can be dismissed as laziness or even praised as imaginative but unfulfilled potential.Ģ. Where sufferers mainly experience difficulties staying focused and attending to daily, mundane tasks without being distracted, perhaps moving from one activity to another or becoming bored quickly. Inattentive – Which is now more commonly known as ADD.
In the last 20 years we have understood that this is not really true.Ģ. This is perhaps why there used to be a belief that ADHD was only found in children. The hyperactive behaviour tends to become more easily controlled as a child goes through adolescence – and to become a more generalised restlessness and or irritability. Hyperactive – Normally associated with impulsive behaviour and that commonly perceived lack of control in children that has allowed some to dismiss the diagnosis as just bad behaviour and the result of poor parenting.
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