A Simple Explanation

An individual is diagnosed as having ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, (also referred to as ADD) when they exhibit behaviours that are characterized by inappropriate levels of inattention, distractibility, impulsivity and restlessness or hyperactivity. All of these symptoms may not always be obvious or present since they can be modified either by family situations, coping mechanisms developed during childhood, personality, intelligence and so on. 

Very simply put, the characteristics must have been present since early childhood, have negatively impacted various life areas (school, work, relationships, etc.) and must not be accounted for by other situations.

ADHD characteristics are neuro-biologically based and they often change as the individual gets older. You do not out-grow ADHD even though the behaviours or symptoms may not be exhibited in the same manner or with the same intensity. 

Although the term ADHD is a label, it is an important label. For the ADHD characteristics define who you are and how you see the world. Therefore, it's important to understand that a diagnosis of ADHD is just the first step in a process of discovering who you are! 

Undiagnosed individuals or those who choose to avoid working on themselves often experience the following:

low self-esteem
academic failure 
alcohol and substance abuse   
depression 
anxiety
obsessive-compulsive behaviours 
job, relationship and marital failures 
inappropriate and high risk behaviours  
         including
                gambling and sexual addictions

Myth #1
      All individuals with ADHD are hyperactive

Fact
    Three subtypes of Attention Deficit         Hyperactivity Disorder are now recognized. 

Primarily Hyperactive-Impulsive
Primarily Inattentive
Combined Type

However, while hyperactivity is "external" and easily observable, many individuals with ADHD have "internal" hyperactivity which is generally experienced as restlessness or anxiety.

Myth #2
     Someone with ADHD just needs to be medicated

Fact
Although medication is important, it's only part of the treatment plan. Medication alone is usually inadequate.

Myth #3
      You can outgrow ADHD. ADHD is a disorder          exclusively of childhood and adolescence. 

Fact
When someone is ADHD, they're always ADHD! It was thought that ADHD was outgrown since few adults exhibited the same symptoms as children. However, we now know that the symptoms often appear different as we mature or are "hidden" by stressful coping mechanisms. 

Myth # 4
The treatment of ADHD with medication inevitably leads to drug dependence and/or individuals who have abused drugs should not be put on medication.

Fact
Numerous studies demonstrate and our own experience supports the fact that most individuals with ADHD do not develop tolerance to, nor become dependent on stimulant drugs. If it seems there is a "dependence" on the medication it is the same as someone's "dependence" on a pair of glasses. 

The more important question to ask is what happens when medication is not available to someone with ADHD. The answer is that there is a significantly greater chance of using drugs through self-medication.

Working with the appropriate professionals, someone who has abused drugs should have no problem taking medication for ADHD.

BACK TO INDEX