Misconceptions & ADHD

“ADHD includes a combination of persistent problems, such as difficulty sustaining attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior.”

I’m diagnosed with having Attention Deficit Disorder, so I understand first-hand how difficult it can be.

Attention Deficit isn’t only dealing with your own frustrations. It is also having to deal with the frustrations of others and how they unfairly judge you, based on your behaviour, and their assumptions that your symptoms are your fault, instead of realizing that you have an actual medical condition.

Why is it important to talk about the myths that are attached to Attention Deficit?

Due to the fact that people need to stop viewing Attention Deficit through stereotypes and see it for what it actually is: a medical condition. Instead, they treat it as if it's nothing more than a punchline in a joke.

Here are some of the common things that society gets wrong about Attention Deficit Disorder.

1. Medication Isn’t Necessary:

Medication gives an individual the clarity to deal with their symptoms in a more effective manner. It’s no different than a person taking insulin for diabetes. When you take a prescribed medication you're not taking the easy way out. You’re taking something to help enhance your quality of your life.

2. It's All in Your Head and Not a Real Condition:

Here is a quote that describes exactly how Attention Deficit feels “When I say, ‘I’m trying,’ I mean it. I’m not happy to be forgetful or impulsive or emotionally reactive. I’m doing everything in my power to control it. But I can’t always control it, so please, for the love of all that is good and holy, understand I am not doing any of it on purpose! All I want is to function well in the world, but it’s a struggle every day. It seems dismissive, but it’s so true: It’s not personal.” — The Mighty

3. ADHD Medication Gives You an Upper Hand:

Medication gives you the clarity that you need to deal with Attention Deficit in a more productive manner than you would otherwise be able to achieve. What it essentially does is level the playing field. It's not a performance enhancement drug, such as anabolic steroids.

4. Attention Deficit is Just a Phase, Eventually You'll Grow Out of It:

Tell me, do you grow out of cancer or diabetes? No, you do not.

It's just like you don’t grow out of having a mental health issue. Instead you learn to cope with that issue through various medical, therapeutic, and pharmaceutical interventions that are in place to better your health and wellness.

In conclusion: Opinions based on stigma are very painful and can cause many unnecessary problems for a person's life. In today’s society, we have way too much tolerance for these harmful opinions and not enough tolerance for the people affected by these opinions.

People need to stop saying things, such as everyone is a little ADHD, and other demeaning statements. We need to treat and see stigma exactly for what it is — discrimination and absolutely nothing more.

A few things to keep in mind about ADHD to make your life a little easier.

1. Take your medication properly.
2. Don’t let stereotypes dictate your life, you should not feel bad or guilty about your treatment.
3. Simplify things that you consider overwhelming.
4. Understand what your strengths and weaknesses are.
5. Understand the difference between mental health facts and mental health myths.
6. Don’t let things, such as negative media messages, make you feel bad about your treatment.

Harmful opinions have a harmful effect on others, which can stop them from getting the treatment they need so that it negatively impacts every aspect of that person's life.

Instead, we should support them and be patient and understanding, and try seeing it from their perspective. So before formulating your opinion, please make sure you base it on facts and not opinions, because it honestly can make a difference in someone's life.

Even though I am diagnosed with Attention Deficit and have a post-secondary education in psychology, this isn't a substitute for actual medical treatment. It is to be used as a tool in combination with actual treatment in order to strengthen your treatment and well-being. It’s not meant to replace your doctor or therapist.