10 ADHD Myths Debunked: What People Still Get Wrong

Why ADHD Myths Matter

Misinformation about ADHD does real harm. It stops people from seeking help, fuels self-blame, and creates barriers in relationships, education, and the workplace. As an ADHD mentor, I hear these myths constantly — from clients, their families, and even some professionals.

Let me set the record straight on ten of the most persistent ADHD myths.

Myth 1: "ADHD Isn't Real"

ADHD is one of the most extensively studied neurodevelopmental conditions in medicine. It has been recognised in medical literature since the 18th century and is acknowledged by the NHS, the American Psychiatric Association, the World Health Organisation, and every major medical body worldwide.

Brain imaging studies consistently show structural and functional differences in ADHD brains, particularly in areas responsible for attention, impulse control, and executive function.

The fact: ADHD is a well-documented neurological condition with a strong genetic basis. It is as real as diabetes or asthma.

Myth 2: "ADHD Only Affects Children"

ADHD does not disappear at age eighteen. While some people's symptoms shift as they mature — hyperactivity might become internal restlessness, for example — ADHD persists into adulthood for the majority of people diagnosed as children. Many adults are only diagnosed later in life, sometimes in their thirties, forties, or beyond.

In the UK, an estimated 3-4% of adults have ADHD, yet only 1.8% report having a professional diagnosis. That gap tells you everything about how under-recognised adult ADHD remains.

The fact: ADHD is a lifelong condition. Adults with ADHD deserve support just as much as children.

Myth 3: "Only Boys Get ADHD"

This myth has caused incalculable harm, particularly to women. The diagnostic criteria for ADHD were historically developed based on studies of young boys showing hyperactive, disruptive behaviour. Girls and women tend to present differently — more inattentive, more internalised, more likely to mask.

The childhood diagnosis ratio is roughly 3:1 boys to girls, but by adulthood it approaches 1:1. That shift suggests girls are not less likely to have ADHD — they are less likely to be noticed.

The fact: ADHD affects all genders. Women and girls are systematically underdiagnosed due to outdated stereotypes.

Myth 4: "Bad Parenting Causes ADHD"

ADHD has a heritability rate of approximately 74%, making it one of the most heritable psychiatric conditions. It is caused by differences in brain development and neurotransmitter function — not by screen time, sugar, or parenting style.

Parents of children with ADHD already carry enormous guilt. This myth makes it worse by blaming families for a condition they did not cause and cannot prevent.

The fact: ADHD is neurological, not behavioural. No amount of strict parenting can cause or cure it.

Myth 5: "People With ADHD Can't Focus"

This is perhaps the most ironic myth. People with ADHD do not have a deficit of attention — they have difficulty regulating where their attention goes. The same person who cannot focus on a spreadsheet might spend six hours hyperfocused on a creative project without eating or drinking.

Hyperfocus is a hallmark ADHD experience. It is not a contradiction — it is evidence that ADHD is about regulation, not capacity.

The fact: ADHD affects attention regulation, not attention itself. Hyperfocus is a common ADHD trait.

Myth 6: "People With ADHD Are Just Lazy"

Laziness implies a choice. ADHD executive dysfunction is not a choice. When someone with ADHD cannot start a task — even one they genuinely want to do — it is because the brain's task-initiation system is not firing properly. This creates a painful gap between intention and action.

People with ADHD often work harder than their neurotypical peers just to achieve the same results. Calling that laziness is not just wrong — it is cruel.

The fact: Executive dysfunction is a neurological barrier, not a motivation problem.

Myth 7: "ADHD Is Overdiagnosed"

In the UK, over 500,000 people were on waiting lists for ADHD assessment as of late 2025, with many waiting two years or more. If anything, ADHD is dramatically underdiagnosed — particularly in women, adults, and people from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Rising diagnosis rates reflect improved awareness and assessment, not an epidemic of false diagnoses. The diagnostic process is rigorous, requiring evidence of symptoms since childhood, functional impairment across multiple life areas, and assessment lasting six months or more.

The fact: ADHD remains significantly underdiagnosed, especially in adults, women, and minority communities.

Myth 8: "Medication Is the Only Treatment"

Medication can be transformative for many people with ADHD, but it is not the only approach and it is not right for everyone. Effective ADHD management often involves a combination of strategies: practical skills coaching, environmental modifications, exercise, therapy, and yes — sometimes medication.

ADHD mentoring focuses on the practical side: building systems, developing routines, and finding strategies that work with your brain. Many of my clients use mentoring alongside medication; others manage without it entirely.

The fact: ADHD support is multifaceted. Medication is one tool among many.

Myth 9: "Everyone Is a Little Bit ADHD"

Everyone loses their keys occasionally. Everyone gets distracted sometimes. But ADHD is not about occasional forgetfulness — it is a persistent pattern of executive dysfunction that significantly impairs daily functioning across multiple areas of life.

Saying "everyone is a bit ADHD" minimises the genuine struggles of people living with the condition. It is the equivalent of telling someone with clinical depression to "just cheer up."

The fact: ADHD is a clinical diagnosis with strict criteria. Occasional distraction is not the same thing.

Myth 10: "You Can't Succeed With ADHD"

This one I take personally, because I see my clients succeed every single day. ADHD comes with genuine challenges, but it also comes with strengths: creativity, passion, the ability to hyperfocus, out-of-the-box thinking, and resilience built from years of navigating a world not designed for your brain.

The key is understanding how your brain works and building strategies around it — not forcing yourself into neurotypical moulds that were never designed for you.

The fact: People with ADHD can absolutely thrive. The right support makes all the difference.

Moving Beyond the Myths

If any of these myths have held you back from seeking support, know that you are not alone. Understanding what ADHD actually is — and what it is not — is the first step toward building a life that works with your brain.

If you would like practical, neurodiversity-affirming support, book a free consultation and let's talk about how ADHD mentoring can help you.