ADHD Myths: What’s in a Name?
There are a lot of myths about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), but let’s begin with the first lie: the name.
Yes, the name itself is misleading. And confusing. And, frankly, a little rude.
People see “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder” and assume it means anyone with ADHD must be bouncing off the walls like a caffeinated squirrel, or that they can’t ever sit still, focus, or get anything done. But that couldn’t be further from the full picture.
Let’s Start with the “Attention Deficit” Part
“If you can focus on your darn book for hours, why can’t you pay attention in class?” Sound familiar?
People with ADHD often hear that kind of thing. And to be fair, it does sound like a good question, until you realize that the issue isn’t a lack of attention. It’s a lack of attention regulation.
People with ADHD can sometimes focus intensely on things that interest them, so much so they hyperfocus to the point of forgetting to eat, sleep, or notice the passage of time. But that same brain that can laser in on a fantasy novel for four hours straight might completely blank out ten minutes into a meeting about quarterly budgets.
This isn’t about laziness or selective effort. It’s a neurological issue with regulating what gets attention and when. Unfortunately, “Attention Regulation Disorder” didn’t make the cut, probably because it adds a fifth letter to an already clunky acronym and those of us with ADHD are liable to forget halfway through:
“I have A.D.R.H…wait, where was I?”
Hyperactivity Isn’t Always Obvious
Now let’s tackle the “Hyperactivity” part.
Yes, some people with ADHD are constantly in motion. But others? Not so much. Hyperactivity can be internal a racing mind, restlessness, a need to fidget quietly under a desk or click a pen nonstop during Zoom calls.
It’s not always bouncing legs and climbing the walls. Some folks learn to mask they find socially acceptable ways to release the pressure (chewing gum, doodling, online window shopping). Just because someone’s not visibly hyper doesn’t mean they aren’t feeling the itch.
Impulsivity Isn’t Just “Class Clown” Behavior
And impulsivity? It isn’t just throwing paper balls in class or blurting out answers. For adults, it might look like interrupting in meetings, oversharing in conversations, impulse buying that vintage lava lamp at 2am, or doomscrolling past their bedtime (again).
Like hyperactivity, impulsivity manifests differently depending on the person and the coping strategies they’ve built.
Not One Size Fits All
ADHD isn’t a monolith. There are three types recognized by the DSM-5:
Predominantly Inattentive Type – trouble focusing, following directions, or staying organized.
Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type – more visible restlessness and impulsivity.
Combined Type – a blend of both.
So no, not everyone with ADHD presents the same way. And the same person might look very different at age 8 than they do at age 38.
Just Because They’re Coping Doesn’t Mean It’s Easy
Some people with ADHD develop rock-solid coping mechanisms. They use timers, calendars, fidget tools, medications, therapy, or sheer willpower. But masking isn’t the same as thriving and just because someone is managing doesn’t mean it’s easy.
ADHD is a neurological condition that affects attention, impulse control, memory, emotional regulation, and time perception. The name doesn’t even come close to capturing all of that.
But hey, “Chrono-Spatial Executive Function Dysregulation Disorder” doesn’t roll off the tongue.
So, while the name ADHD might be a bit of a misnomer, the struggles behind it are very real and so are the strengths, resilience, and creativity of the people who live with it every day.