ADHD Weekly 2017-10-05

Stigma regarding ADHD hurts people who have the diagnosis, their families, and the community.

• Several myths and misunderstandings regarding ADHD (for example that it isn’t a real disorder, it’s over-diagnosed, it’s caused by poor parenting, it reflects character flaws, etc.) create and continue stigma around the diagnosis and individuals who have it.
• Teens with ADHD who experience stigma are more likely to avoid treatment (including medication and/or therapy); this is also the case for children and adults.
• People’s bias regarding personality traits observed in people who have ADHD affects their willingness to associate with those people in social, academic, and work environments.
• Analysis of data from the National Stigma Study-Children found that childhood ADHD symptoms were seen by adults as less likely to be serious, to be a mental health condition, or to require treatment.
• Teachers’ attitudes toward ADHD can influence their expectations of children who have it, which in turn affects those children’s self-efficacy and/or academic performance.
• And you can always call our Health Information Specialists, Monday through Friday, 1-5 p.m.  ET, at 866-200-8098.

Stigma regarding ADHD hurts people who have the diagnosis, their families, and the community