Why ADHD is so misunderstood?

‘Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder’ is very commonly misunderstood. The name was applied in the 1980s and arguably reflected the collective knowledge around the condition at that time condensed into just four words.

 There are two problems. The first is that the words ‘attention deficit hyperactivity disorder’ appear to be descriptive. It is no surprise that so much misunderstanding and prejudice surrounds ADHD. It is easy to see that the name itself is capable of generating prejudice and bias on its own whilst at the same time its descriptive nature implies meaning. To try to derive understanding from the name is to be badly misled.

The second problem are the words themselves. The word deficit implies ‘less than’ and the word disorder implies ‘malfunction’. This is an unacceptable double negative bias in a cultural period where the world is thankfully moving towards greater appreciation and understanding of diversity and inclusion. If we listen from a deficit viewpoint we are starting from the idea of ‘problems’ and this is a major reason for the ignorance and prejudice associated with ADHD. The ADHD brain isn’t broken, it is wired a little differently and it’s unique.

At the end of the 1980’s the internet arrived and that has facilitated rapid advances in ADHD understanding, research and collaboration in many different fields. A huge body of knowledge has been generated in the last 40 years around what we currently call ADHD. Probably more than in the 200 years preceding 1980. We now know, for example, that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is not a deficit of attention. Nor is it a deficit of; effort, willpower, character, intelligence, structure, self-control, motivation, empathy, brain activity or parenting skills.

But the internet has also brought with it a problem. Much of the information is out of date and is recycled and republished by organisations that often should know better. Do a quick search for a simple definition of ADHD and you’ll quickly see what I mean. Here’s an example from the National Institute of Mental Health; “Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a disorder marked by an ongoing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development.” So, the ongoing pattern interferes with functioning and development? Isn’t that confusing cause and effect?

In a nutshell, ADHD is a neuro-developmental condition of the brain’s executive functions. This can cause an individual to have a variety of impairments related to impulse control, focusing, organisation, planning, time management, sustaining attention, distractibility, response inhibition, working memory, stress tolerance, task initiation, flexibility, emotional regulation and others. ADHD is different and individual.  To read more about this scoot over to Additude magazine at the link below;

https://www.additudemag.com/what-is-adhd-symptoms-causes-treatments/

Alternatively, watch Jess McCabe explain ADHD in this 3 minute video from her Youtube channel ‘How to ADHD’.

We don’t know what we don’t know. We can only find out when we know that we don’t know and we realise that we need to know. If we don’t know, how do we know when we need to know?

Which explains why beyond the name and its implications many people who might benefit from some up-to-date knowledge around the subject of ADHD don’t get to find out. Because they don’t know what they don’t know! My own view is that anyone in a position where they are providing support to someone with ADHD (as a parent, partner, friend, lover, teacher, social worker etc..) needs to know at least the basics. It doesn’t need to be much, but it needs to be enough and it needs to be right!

The problem here is in separating sound knowledge that reflects recent research from outdated knowledge that can be misleading, often has a negative bias and as a result; often reinforces misunderstanding, prejudice and stigma.