Yes, You Can Get Good Grades and Still Have ADHD–Why ADHD Myths Are Harmful
When people hear ADHD (especially those were around in the 80s and 90s during the Ritalin hubbub), they may immediately think of a few things: being too antsy to sit still, difficulties paying attention, and struggling in school.
While those aspects may be true for some people with ADHD, it's not the case for everyone. In fact, these symptoms are often seen in young boys with ADHD. Girls with ADHD may appear less hyperactive, and more "spacey".
Gender aside, the fact remains that assuming those with ADHD probably don't get the best grades is a harmful assumption. Let's look at why.
It Can Prevent Diagnosis
One key way the assumption that bad grades are a sign of ADHD is harmful is that it can prevent an accurate diagnosis.
As mentioned above, some people don't display as many outward symptoms of ADHD. Their hyperactivity may present as racing thoughts, which can distract them from paying attention in school, but not always. In fact, many people with ADHD can make connections much more quickly than their neurotypical counterparts.
This makes them great at critical thinking in writing essays or using data to come to a conclusion. And many people with ADHD are good at math, thanks to the structure and procedure of it.
As a result, they may actually do very well in school. And if they are doing well, then the rest of their ADHD symptoms may fly under the radar, especially with the other myth that people with ADHD are lazy (e.g. when it comes to cleaning their room).
Over time, many undiagnosed people with ADHD report their symptoms getting "worse" as they enter adulthood, resulting in a late diagnosis. For many, being undiagnosed for so long leads to depression because they can't understand why they struggle to fit in or feel so different from their neurotypical counterparts.
In recent months, discourse on the topic has revealed many people above the age of 25 getting diagnosed for the first time. These people report everything "suddenly making sense" and getting new clarity on their experience and how they interact with the world around them.
A Note on Masking
One thing neurodivergent people learn to do is something called masking. This refers to the act of hiding certain behaviors in order to appear more "normal". For people with ADHD, this may include masking fidgeting and masking when their attention has broken. This can make it difficult to see that someone has ADHD at first glance.
Additionally, many people with ADHD subconsciously create their own processes and structures that allow them to succeed in a schooling system that is one-size-fits-all.
It Limits What It's Actually Like to Live with ADHD
Another way myths like these are harmful is that, in a way, it's extremely dismissive of what it's actually like to live with ADHD.
The term Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder is potentially deceiving. It can lead people to think that ADHD is mostly hyperactivity and inattention. While those are aspects, it's far more nuanced than that. ADHD is characterized by issues in executive functioning and low dopamine. This means people with ADHD struggle with skills related to working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control. They also rely heavily on reward-based actions to get that extra flood of dopamine.
Other symptoms include:
Low frustration tolerance
Sensitivity to rejection
Difficulty making eye contact
Interrupting others
Poor time management skills
Difficulty making decisions
And much more...
Living with ADHD is a much more difficult experience than many are led to believe. There's even been a call to rename it something like "Executive Functioning Disorder" or "Dopamine Deficiency Disorder" to better encompass what the disorder truly is. The hope is that it helps eliminate harmful myths, including the idea that if you get good grades, you can't possibly have ADHD.
If you, your child or teen get good grades but are still struggling with other symptoms that point towards ADHD, reach out today for treatment. Together we can examine what you're experiencing and create an adhd treatment plan that works for you.