Psychologist from Yaroslavl Dispels Common ADHD Myths

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder has become a «popular» diagnosis. The younger generation is raising the issue on social media, searching for signs of the disorder in themselves. Why is ADHD only being talked about now and what does it entail? We addressed these questions with Alexandra Porshneva, a psychologist from the «Doctor» medical prevention center in Yaroslavl.

According to the expert, the «popularity» of the disorder may be linked to the fact that the issue is becoming more studied and, as a result, it is more frequently detected and diagnosed. But around ADHD, many myths continue to exist. The specialist highlighted three main ones:

1. «ADHD is a fiction, an excuse for laziness.» ADHD symptoms affect most areas of life, not just «laziness» at work. People also struggle with ordinary daily tasks: daily routines, cleaning, frequent lateness, forgetting tasks or appointments.

2. «It»s a childhood disease.« ADHD does not go away with age, but a person can adapt.

3. »Nowadays, everyone has it because of gadgets and the fast pace of life.« People are born with this syndrome, and it can be inherited.

The psychologist added that there are three types of the disorder: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive, and combined. These types are distinguished by symptoms.

Symptoms of predominantly inattentive type ADHD:

• difficulty focusing on monotonous tasks;

• careless mistakes;

• high distractibility;

• problems with self-organization;

• difficulty completing tasks;

• often losing or forgetting things.

Symptoms of predominantly hyperactive type ADHD:

• excessive motor activity;

• inability to stay in one place while at rest;

• often talking too much;

• difficulty coping with waiting, for example standing in line;

• often interrupting or intruding on others« affairs;

• impulsivity — a tendency to act spontaneously without considering risk and consequences.

With combined type ADHD both sets of symptoms are equally prominent.

How to Understand if I Have ADHD

The psychologist points out that only a psychiatrist can make a diagnosis and prescribe medication. Alexandra Porshneva noted that self-diagnosis can be done beforehand. The expert advises taking a test — the «Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale» (ASRS).

It is important to note that symptoms manifest from childhood — before age 12. Moreover, as the psychologist clarifies, they manifest in various situations and conditions: at home, in studies, at work, when communicating with friends and relatives.

«If you are inattentive and forgetful only in studies, then perhaps it is not ADHD, but simply that the activity itself is not very interesting to you,» added Alexandra Porshneva.

How to Simplify Life with ADHD

Alexandra Porshneva advises that if ADHD symptoms appear, consult a psychiatrist and discuss a treatment plan. She also highlights working with a psychologist as an important direction.

«It helps develop self-regulation skills, form habits and daily routines. Also, with ADHD, a lot of anxiety and guilt can arise, which can also be addressed in work with a psychologist,» noted the specialist.

The psychologist shared tips on how to make life with ADHD a bit easier:

1. Write down all tasks and keep a calendar. This helps unload working memory, as you no longer have to keep everything in your head, and you can check notes on your phone or in a planner. And in the calendar, you can set reminders for important tasks to avoid accidentally missing them.

2. Break large tasks into smaller ones. A large task can cause a lot of anxiety before starting. If it is divided into subtasks, it is easier to begin work.

3. Come up with motivation for yourself. Think about how you can reward yourself for work or completing a specific difficult task.

4. Organize your environment. Remove things from your desk that might distract you. For example, if you need to concentrate on a task, turn off notifications on your phone during that period or simply put it out of sight.