Breaking the Stigma of ADHD: Myths vs. Facts

If you are an adult who has ADHD (whether diagnosed in childhood or recently), you may find yourself up against stereotypes and stigmas that don’t serve you. Breaking the stigma of ADHD starts with understanding the facts—and letting go of outdated, inaccurate beliefs. As an ADHD counselor in Woodland Hills, I know that ADHD is one of the most misunderstood mental health conditions. Despite growing awareness, many people still associate ADHD with laziness, poor parenting, or childhood misbehavior. The reality? ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects people of all ages, and it’s far more complex than the stereotypes suggest.

What Is ADHD—and What Isn’t It?

Stereotypes surrounding ADHD come into play when it is viewed through narrow representation, such as equating it with disruptive behavior in young boys. It is not widely understood as an attention regulation disorder, with accompanying emotional regulation disruption. What are some of the most common misconceptions about ADHD? Let’s start by clearing up what this condition really is.

Common Myths vs. Facts About ADHD:

Myth: “ADHD is just an excuse for being lazy.”
Fact: ADHD affects motivation, attention regulation, and executive functioning—not effort or character.
Myth: “ADHD only happens in kids—people grow out of it.”
Fact: Many people continue to experience symptoms into adulthood. Adult ADHD often looks different, but is just as real.
Myth: “ADHD only affects hyperactive boys.”
Fact: Girls and women often go undiagnosed because their symptoms may be more internal (e.g., daydreaming, anxiety, emotional sensitivity).
Myth: “Everyone has trouble focusing sometimes—ADHD is overdiagnosed.”
Fact: While occasional distraction is normal, ADHD involves chronic, impairing symptoms that affect daily life and functioning.

2 Tools to Educate Yourself and Others

1 – Learn the Science

It is one thing to consider anecdotal experience, and in fact, it can be beneficial to do so. But there is always a place for understanding the science of a mental health disorder, and ADHD is no exception to that rule. When you are able to understand how ADHD works, how it can show up, and what the latest information can teach you, you are better prepared to advocate for yourself and to obtain the help and support you need.

ADHD is linked to brain differences in areas that control attention, emotional regulation, and impulse control. ADHD is not just about being distracted easily, or being unable to focus; these brain differences can impact mood, sleep regulation, work/life balance, and more. There have been links drawn between ADHD and dopamine production and regulation. If you find that you struggle to get motivated, if you don’t feel rewarded after you accomplish a task, if your memory suffers or you have trouble regulating your mood, there may be a connection to your dopamine levels. You may benefit from regular exercise, meditation, creating lists and checking off items (no matter how small), and consuming media that gives you a boost, as increasing dopamine levels may help you to manage your symptoms. This also may not work for you; the trick with educating yourself about ADHD is to learn and observe with an open mind.
Be discerning about where you get your information. Use trusted sources like CHADD, ADDitude Magazine, or CDC.gov to educate yourself on symptoms, treatments, and how ADHD shows up across the lifespan. It is great how many content creators are online sharing information about mental health these days, but their information alone isn’t necessarily the support you need. Many people find that social media shares information that plants seeds; utilizing a trusted source to explore and verify what you are thinking can ensure that you aren’t being led in directions that don’t serve you. Many of the trusted sources you can find online have information about obtaining a diagnosis, where to go for help, and other resources that enable you to understand what you might be experiencing and where to go from here. If you find that your research is causing you distress, or you aren’t able to disengage from exploring online information, pause and consider taking a break. Reach out to a qualified mental health professional for guidance about how to balance learning with giving yourself room to process.

2 – Speak Up and Share Your Story

It can be very intimidating to share something vulnerable with other people. You may worry about their preconceived ideas about ADHD, that they won’t believe you, that you’ll misspeak or misrepresent yourself and others who have ADHD. What is important to remember is that if you never share your story, you contribute to feelings of shame and the need to hide that part of yourself away in order to be accepted. You can help yourself and help others by being open and honest about your experience(s).

Do it for yourself, or for others if that helps motivate you. You may struggle to speak up about your experiences when you think of it as something you are doing for yourself. If you need to, frame it as helping others who have ADHD and contributing to a better world for everyone who is navigating ADHD. If you have ADHD, talking about your experience (when you feel ready) helps normalize it and challenge stigma. The hardest part of speaking up can be the beginning, when it feels new and you can’t imagine how it might go. You may want to try different ways of connecting, whether you’re one-on-one with someone you know and trust, or writing on a group message board. We talk to people who connect with others in online or in-person groups, who set aside time to communicate with loved ones, and who benefit from sharing during their Woodland Hills ADHD therapy sessions. What matters most is that you find a way that works for you. You may want to “plan” your sharing by writing bullet points, or even formatting your information like an essay. You may choose to read off a paper, or spend time going over what you’ve written until you feel comfortable and familiar with it. You might find that you choose to share different information at different times, depending on the medium and your audience. You might worry that you can’t adjust your stance or information once you’ve shared, but that isn’t true. Understanding and communication are always evolving; don’t wait till you “have it all worked out” to speak up about your experiences.
Encourage those around you to speak up, too. The people in your life can do their part to break stigmas. They are bound to have experiences with ADHD from the outside that others can learn from, or feel understood and supported by. Whether they’re a parent, partner, or professional, advocating for accurate understanding helps build a more supportive environment. If you want to share your experience with someone, set yourself up for success. Choose a time when you are both feeling good; nobody is hungry or sick, there is no pressing situation to deal with, you’re not in the middle of a disagreement of some sort. Tell the other person that you have ADHD and you’d like to share your experience with them. Ask the other person if that sounds alright with them, and what they already know about ADHD. Remember that honest communication improves intimacy and can stave off feelings of isolation. Give them space to ask questions, and offer to answer more if they think of something else, later. When you are able to collaborate with people in your life to develop and nurture mutual understanding, you will find that you feel less alone. Even if you’re the only person in a group with ADHD (that you know of), having buddies with you who understand you and can speak on the issue without lending credence to harmful stereotypes or negative impressions can be a big help.

Key Takeaways

ADHD is not a moral failure, a lack of discipline, or a phase—it’s a neurological condition.
Myths about ADHD harm those who live with it by increasing shame and discouraging help-seeking.
Education and open conversations are key to breaking the stigma.
You do not have to contend with ADHD on your own. You may choose to attend in-person or online ADHD therapy in order to learn more about ADHD, have a safe space to share your struggles and explore solutions, and receive guidance.
The people around you who love you can be a big support as you navigate life with ADHD, even if they can’t relate exactly to your experience.

How Therapy Can Help

Therapy can help individuals with ADHD better understand how their brain works, build coping tools, and develop self-compassion. It can also help loved ones learn how to support someone with ADHD in a way that’s informed and respectful. By challenging shame and embracing strengths, therapy opens the door to healing and empowerment. Those who see us for ADHD Therapy in Woodland Hills discover new approaches to managing their ADHD, and strengthen their self-confidence and connection with those around them.

ADHD Treatment at Embracing You Therapy

When left unmanaged, ADHD symptoms can be deeply disruptive in adulthood—impacting everything from work performance to personal relationships. It can influence how you focus, communicate, and connect with others. At our Woodland Hills office, ADHD treatment is tailored to help you understand the unique ways your brain functions and develop practical strategies that can be smoothly integrated into your daily life.

Latest Blogs