Have you come across some information on ADHD that feels surprisingly familiar? Maybe you’ve started to realize that it’s not common to forget things all the time or to be as easily distracted as you are. Maybe you’ve started to think that being late all the time is a more serious problem than you thought it was.

As common as ADHD is, there are still plenty of myths and misconceptions surrounding the disorder. These myths can create a stigma around ADHD and even other mental health conditions that can inhibit diagnoses and treatment. Let’s take a closer look at some of those misconceptions and debunk some of the common myths about ADHD.

It’s estimated that about 75% of adults with ADHD don’t actually know they have it. While we often consider ADHD to be a children’s disorder, the symptoms can carry over into adulthood if you’ve never gone through any kind of treatment. Unfortunately, you can’t undergo the right management techniques when you aren’t diagnosed.

Psychological tests can be objective or projective, and there are more benefits than you might realize. Let’s take a look at some of those benefits, so you can decide if it’s the right step for you — and to ease any concerns you might have about undergoing an evaluation. 

Rejection-sensitive dysphoria (RSD) and ADHD are often linked, and most experts contribute it to the differences in brain structure of those who deal with ADHD. While not everyone with ADHD will end up having RSD, it’s a common problem and RSD can actually make the symptoms of ADHD worse. 

ADHD impacts both men and women. It’s not a disorder that discriminates. However, it can manifest itself differently between the two sexes. For example, women tend to experience ADHD a bit differently than men. That includes showing different symptoms, or even trying to explain away their symptoms due to a misdiagnosis. 

Many people assume they have a basic understanding of what ADHD is, what it looks like, and how it can impact a person’s life. But, we often look at ADHD as a children’s disorder. While it’s often diagnosed in childhood, that doesn’t mean it goes away as a person grows.