falloutboyzintheattic:

a polite list of things that people with ADHD would like you to know

this post is just to nicely clear up some common misunderstandings that many people have about ADHD. please reblog, so we can make ground in getting rid of these stereotypes. 🙂

–we’re not all hyperactive! when most people hear “ADHD,” they think of an immature young boy who can’t sit still and gets in trouble a lot. ADHD can manifest itself like this and often does, most noticeably in young boys, but this does not mean it’s the only way ADHD shows up.

–we can be extremely sensitive sometimes. ADHD is often accompanied by rejection sensitive dysphoria, or RSD. this “side effect” of ADHD is described as extreme pain, paranoia, or anxiety in the face of perceived rejection — whether or not it’s actually there. this makes ADHD people sometimes become detached and withdrawn from their relationships (in order to protect their feelings), or leads to them lashing out when they feel rejected or attacked. RSD leads to a whole lot of guilty feelings, and can manifest itself with physical symptoms such as chest tightness and difficulty breathing. the worst of the feelings will fade, but people who suffer from RSD often feel in the moment like the world is ending — even because of something as minor as an ignored text message or a misinterpreted look from a loved one.

–people don’t always “grow out of” ADHD. I can testify to this one personally. I’m 18 years old, and I just got diagnosed. ADHD clearly can persist into adulthood, and leads to its own set of problems. it just shows itself differently when you’re older.

–“ADD” doesn’t exist. this is a big one for me. the DSM, which is an official manual that lists the criteria for mental disorders, says in its most recent edition that all manifestations of inattentivity are classified under the term ADHD. the DSM then splits ADHD into three categories:

1. the primarily inattentive type
2. the primarily hyperactive type
3. the combination inattentive-hyperactive type

this means that ADD is now considered a type of ADHD, and no longer exists as its own disorder.

-you all probably know this one, but people with ADHD can often have something called hyperfixations. these are special interests which the person can focus intensely on for long periods of time. they also find it difficult not to talk or think about these things, which can irritate others. a lot of times people with ADHD are aware that they’re being annoying, but it’s unbelievably difficult for them to stop talking about something by which they are so utterly absorbed. trust me, we wish we would stop talking about that thing, too.

–girls with ADHD often go unnoticed because their symptoms are usually less disruptive. girls are just as likely as boys to have ADHD, but boys are 3-7 times more likely to be diagnosed. why? ADHD usually manifests itself in girls as what people describe as “ditziness,” stupidity, daydreaming, or even depression. it is all too easy to overlook ADHD symptoms in girls, who are often much more eager to please, and usually confine to rules and expectations more readily.

–not everyone with ADHD takes medication. many common medications (such as Ritalin, Adderall, Vyvanse, etc.) have adverse effects that some people just don’t want to deal with. many people with ADHD don’t take their medication every day because they don’t want to feel like they are reliant on it. this is perfectly safe and acceptable for them to do. on the other side of things, some people feel uncomfortable without their medication, because it helps them feel less anxious, more capable, etc.

–not everyone with ADHD is extroverted and hyper. enough said, I think.

–ADHD can become debilitating and severely affect a person’s quality of life if left untreated. it can lead to depression, anxiety, guilt, drug abuse, thoughts of failure, and even suicidal urges, because of how much ADHD impacts performance.

-conversely, many people with ADHD have become extremely successful due to their creative tendencies, intuition, and their ability to hyperfocus on what interests them. some famous examples are: Michael Phelps, Jim Carrey, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Simone Biles, Justin Timberlake, Albert Einstein, Adam Levine, Channing Tatum, Ty Pennington, Walt Disney, Howie Mandel, Robin Williams, Winston Churchill, and Beethoven.

hopefully this can clear up some common misunderstandings that people have about ADHD. thanks for reading!