There’s something romantic about being part of a misunderstood segment of society, and this includes being among the special adults and children that have ADHD. Many people poo-poo the idea that adults in particular really have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but their misguided theories are actual loads of crap. It is a thing, and there are plenty of people with that special brand of mildly frenetic behavior to prove it.
Four Total ADHD Myths
One-Just forget about the myths about ADHD because none of them are true. For instance, it is not a fictional disorder, as many claim. True, it wasn’t named until 1980, but many physicians believe it had been around since much earlier times. There are identifiable symptoms of the disorder, including mood disorders, depression, anxiety, and a tendency to abuse substances—to name a few.
Two-People with ADHD are just as intelligent as everyone else, in spite of widespread beliefs that would say otherwise. Most sufferers have average intelligence, though learning disabilities and cognitive impairment are also symptoms of the condition.
Three-Individuals with ADHD are also often mistakenly believed to be lazy or lack motivation. For such people, failing to complete tasks is completely normal. In fact, this is considered the hallmark symptom of ADHD.
Four-The last misconception about people with ADHD is that they are irresponsible. It’s true that forgetting important items is a common event, but the issue is a neurological disorder, not evidence of an irresponsible person.
6 Things People with ADHD Can Identify With
The people in the exclusive ADHD group understand one another in a way that no one else can. There is validity in the disorder found in the common life experiences they share. The following may be things only adults with ADHD can identify with or maybe not:
- Getting started with many things is easy, but nothing is usually finished.
- Everything is a distraction.
- Interrupting other people when they are talking is an irresistible compulsion.
- Drugs for ADHD help, especially with focus, including Adderall and Ritalin.
- Making lists and reminder notes is a constant pastime, but things written on them still often don’t get done.
- One of the biggest fears about becoming a parent is that the condition will passed on to children.
Embracing ADHD
Like with any potential handicap in life, the best thing a person can do is accept weaknesses and celebrate strengths. Getting the right meds definitely also helps. Next time you meet a person who explains that they have ADHD, just imagine they just told you their evil mother-in-law is moving in with them (something awful you can identify with), and express your condolences.
