Myths and Misunderstandings
Some people do not understand that AD/HD is a real disorder, with
real symptoms, and responds to real treatments. Others believe myths
that are sometimes spread through movies, TV, news stories, or other
mass media.
This is a common refrain expressed by individuals who assert that the
psychiatric community, in concert with pharmaceutical companies, created
AD/HD to drum up business for private practices and to increase profits
for drug companies. According to the National Institutes of Health, the
Surgeon General of the United States, and an international community of
clinical researchers, psychiatrists and physicians, there is general
consensus that AD/HD is a valid disorder with severe, lifelong
consequences (NIH, 2000; U.S. Surgeon General's Report, 2001). Studies
over the past hundred years demonstrate that AD/HD is a chronic disorder
that has a negative impact on virtually every aspect of daily social,
emotional, academic and work functioning (Barkley, 1998). Studies show
that children with AD/HD have higher rates of other psychiatric
disorders, higher frequency of hospitalizations, emergency room visits
and total medical costs compared to individuals without AD/HD (Liebson
et al., 2001).
See the complete list of Myths and
Misunderstandings about AD/HD
For in-depth information on this and many
other topics,
see the complete list of What We Know info
sheets on AD/HD.
Ask a
Question about AD/HD
| 
