What Is ADHD and Is It Contagious?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and What You Need to Know About It

By: Amy Skalicky

Narrated by: Claton Butcher

In spite of conclusive research and evidence, such as what has been shared so far, produced by the medical, psychological and educational communities, there are skeptics who still cling to the claim that ADHD is not "real". In spite of overwhelming evidence to the contrary, there are those who persist in voicing their opinions that ADHD is just an excuse for people who are lazy or sloppy, or to cover up for ineffective parenting.

There are also those who deny the existence of ADHD as an avoidance tactic to escape accepting their own diagnosis or the diagnosis of a loved one, usually their own child. This "sticking the head in the sand" approach is often characterized by statements such as "There’s nothing wrong with that boy. He just needs more discipline." Or even "Oh, she’s fine. She’s just whining…she can do her homework just fine if she would only put her mind to it."

One other popular myth is the belief that children outgrow ADHD. In reality, more than 70% of the children diagnosed with ADHD will continue to have it throughout adolescence, and 75% of those continue to need manage ADHD symptoms throughout adulthood. The current estimate is that 6% of the adult population has, most of whom are undiagnosed. Of those who do have formal diagnosis, only one in 10 actively seeks treatment and management strategies.

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