Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of many significantly misunderstood diagnoses in the world. In fact, even psychologists have misconceptions about ADHD, so you’re not the only one in the dark.
Hopefully, as someone with ADHD, I can shed some light on what this diagnosis actually means for the people who have it.
“ADHD is Overdiagnosed”
This myth is a loaded one. Why? Because it’s just plain wrong, but it’s also wrong in so many ways.
ADHDers of all ages are wildly underdiagnosed throughout their lives — especially if you’re a woman (or femme presenting), a person of color, an adult, or someone without access to healthcare.
Lack of affordable healthcare directly correlates with undiagnosed disorders — both physical and mental. This phenomena is fairly self-explanatory, but what about young girls and other minority groups? Why are they being dismissed?
Underdiagnosis in Young Girls
First of all, traits often (but not always) present themselves differently in young girls than they do in young boys. For example, girls often exhibit forgetfulness, disorganization, and issues focusing more frequently than boys. Similarly, boys present more “disruptive” symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsiveness.
Both children experience all of these traits, but unfortunately, the hyperactive behavior is more obvious in most boys. Additionally, the inattentive behavior seen in girls is often dealt with internally instead of externally.
These variations in presentation could have an array of explanations including differences in socialization and even differences in hormones and puberty. For example, women’s hormones often exacerbate the anxiety or depression experienced alongside ADHD. Because of this, medical providers will treat the anxiety diagnosis without considering comorbid disorders — leading to a delayed diagnosis.
Underdiagnosis in Children of Color
Hispanic children are 56% less likely to receive an ADHD diagnosis than their white peers. As for African American children, they are 36% less likely to receive a diagnosis, and the remaining minority groups are 48% less likely to receive one.
The explanation behind these discrepancies is very complicated. In many cases, the barriers include healthcare provider bias, teacher bias, and lack of “culturally competent” healthcare providers as well. These obstacles are systemic and harder to overcome.
Essentially, the same symptoms seen in caucasion children are perceived as defiant and aggressive in children of color as a result of systemic racial bias. Therefore, instead of receiving intervention, they recieve discipline, and this can cause comorbid disorders and mental illness as well as the worsening of their symptoms.
ADHD in Adulthood
Sorry, folks! There will be no visits from the neurotypical fairy on your 18th birthday. While it’s true that symptom intensity can decrease over time, ADHD does not disappear when you become an adult. In fact, adults experience many of the same symptoms as children do, but they experience them in a different environment.
Here are a list of symptoms experienced by both children and adults with ADHD:
- Inattention: difficulty starting and completing tasks, difficulty regulating attention, forgetfulness, poor time management, disorganization
- Impulsivity: fidgeting/restlessness, interrupting, excessive talking
- Other: emotional dysregulation and low tolerance for frustration
So, why is it that ADHD isn’t recognized later in life? If they go undiagnosed as children, why does nobody notice it later on? Can’t they see it in themselves?
In summation, ADHD in adults isn’t taken seriously at all, and this can lead to a detrimental impact on adult ADHDers lives and mental health.
The Impact of Adult ADHD
ADHD impacts more than school and work. It can impact relationships, finances, substance abuse, and more. If left untreated (or ineffectively treated), it has a significant negative effect on the individual’s mental health, physical health, and quality of life.
Because of this, adults with ADHD commonly have comorbid conditions. In fact, 60%-70% of adult ADHDers have a co-occuring disorder. For example:
- 40% were also diagnosed with a mood disorder
- 50% also had an anxiety disorder
- 30% had social anxiety, specifically.
- 12% were also diagnosed with PTSD
- and finally, approximately 15% had a substance use disorder
It’s not possible to overstate the importance of treatment for the benefit of the individual. If you want to read more about adult ADHD, please click here.
So, Where do you Learn More?
Even though ADHD Awareness is only one month, the people who have it struggle with it year-round. Do your best to educate yourself, provide accommodations, and advocate actively every other month of the year.
If you want to learn more about common ADHD misconceptions, there is an excellent article you can read right here.
Written by: Emily Hyser
October 5, 2021
