A lot has been said regarding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). However, not everything corresponds to the truth and to the actual characteristics of children with this disorder.
Therefore, it's important to clarify some of the myths and facts surrounding ADHD:
FACT: ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder and not an invention. If ADHD was a recent invention or a justification for disruptive childhood behaviors, it wouldn't have been described for so many years and always with the same patterns.
FACT: It's true that there's no clinical exam or other objective test that "proves" the existence of ADHD. The diagnosis of ADHD is clinical, meaning it results from integrating information from different sources, collecting data about developmental history, current difficulties, and interpreting the results of various assessment tests that measure executive functions and frame behaviors according to what's expected for the age range.
FACT: Obviously, the way parents interact with their children and set limits has implications on their behavior. In the case of ADHD, because these children are more inattentive, impulsive and/or restless, they pose much more difficult challenges to parents from an early age (they rarely listen at first, don't stay still, do everything at once, get distracted by everything around them, etc.). Parents of children with ADHD are faced with a greater demand on how they organize family life and communicate with their kids, which can become quite difficult and draining.
FACT: ADHD is a condition that accompanies the child throughout life. Vulnerabilities will always exist. What happens is that the manifestation and impact of the characteristics change throughout life depending on human development, contextual demands, and the skills and strategies developed.
FACT: Sugar doesn't cause Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. However, both sugar and processed foods and sodas are harmful to one’s health. Still, there's a belief that sugar interferes with hyperactive behavior and that a specific diet should be followed as treatment.
FACT: Hyperactivity has a genetic basis, but it's also influenced by other environmental and developmental factors. Studies have suggested a tendency for hyperactivity may manifest in families, suggesting a genetic component. However, the complete picture is complex and still not fully understood.
FACT: Methylphenidate isn't addictive. Its function is to alleviate symptoms, so when its action time ends, the symptoms reappear as before. The dosage recommended by the doctor considers the child's weight and the impact of symptoms, and, as a precaution, doctors tend to start with the lowest dose, gradually increasing it until evidence of its effect is obtained. Therefore, it's common to find adjustments to the dosage to occur over time, not due to habituation but rather to changes in these factors.
FACT: Like all medications, there are side effects to taking methylphenidate. However, there's no confirmation of a causal relationship between taking the medication and a slowdown in growth.
Despite this possibility, the decision to use medication is always the result of a careful reflection, by the doctor and the parents, on the benefits and impact on the child's emotional well-being and their family, social, and academic life.
FACT: Each case is unique, depending on the age, intensity, and impact of symptoms in the different contexts of the child's life. There will be situations where the introduction of pharmacological intervention isn't justified, others where only medication may be chosen, and others, mostly, where a multimodal approach will be recommended, including pharmacological and psychological interventions aimed at the child, family, and school context.
FACT: Recent studies have shown the opposite. When there's a course with medication and other interventions, the child has more chances of finding a successful path, often preventing the manifestation of behaviors that put them at risk. Also, because medication alleviates ADHD symptoms, adolescents or adults end up having more control over their impulsivity and avoid risky behaviors.
As we can see, there are many myths surrounding ADHD. Before starting any treatment or intervention, inform yourself with professional specialists, by whom the child's/young person's characteristics will be taken into account, and where treatment will be individualized and tailored to their needs.
