In this post, you will discover interesting ADHD facts you may not know. I hope that after reading about interesting ADHD facts, you will be better informed about what ADHD is and isn’t and how it affects 10% of the general population.
INTERESTING ADHD FACTS
Tooth grinding is linked to ADHD
Linked to ADHD through research, teeth grinding (Bruxism), is more likely to develop anxiety, stress, and hyperactivity in children.
ADHD is not a one-size-fits-all Diagnosis
There are three types of ADHD. Inattentiveness: Easily distracted, not listening when spoken to, trouble paying attention, and inability to focus when needed. Hyperactivity: Trouble remaining quiet or engaging in excessive/inappropriate activities and running/climbing. Impulsivity: Interrupting, inappropriate behavior, and trouble waiting
ADHD Is Often mistaken for other conditions, especially in girls/women
ADHD can be mistaken for other disorders. While the following list is certainly not complete, it will nonetheless indicate the degree of difficulty in providing a correct diagnosis by someone not specifically trained to recognize ADHD. While the following disorders are separate, they can be part of the comorbid array of symptomology present with ADHD: Anxiety Disorders, Depression or Bipolar Disorders, Mood Disorders, Personality Disorders, Learning Disabilities, OCD, and Dyslexia.
Folks with ADHD have a deficit of working memory
Remembering assignments, Completing tasks, Retaining lists in memory, such as a shopping list, list of names, or orders, difficulty following along in class, test anxiety, especially for multi-part or multiple-choice answers, inconsistent performance, lack of focus, attention Deficit Disorders.
Sugar and TV don’t cause ADHD
While it is true that sugar and too much TV aggravate ADHD symptoms, they are not the cause of ADHD. The brain needs sugar as energy, but too much sugar can be harmful for anyone with ADHD, especially children.
ADHD runs along family lines
More than 50 genes have been attributed to ADHD. ADHD can run concurrently or can skip one or more generations.
People with ADHD are not broken!
Folks with ADHD aren’t damaged goods. ADHD adults don’t think like neurotypicals due to different pathways within in the ADHD brain as opposed to the neurotypical brain
Medication can’t fix ADHD
There is no fix for ADHD because there is nothing to fix! People with ADHD think differently because of variances in brain pathways between neurotypical folks and folks with ADHD. The only reason ADHD is classified as a mental health issue is because society will never consider ADHD symptomatology as normal when neurotypical folks are 90% of the population. Just as you can’t grow out of large feet or short arms, you can’t grow out of ADHD either. While medications can help with normalizing ADHD symptoms, medication can’t cure ADHD.
Society says that folks with ADHD can’t pay attention, which is wrong!
Folks with ADHD have no problems with attention when engaged in an activity they like or are interested in. Only ADHD folks have the capacity to Hyper-Focus, which is the ability to focus so intently on something that nothing else exists in their mind at that time and place. So mentally engaged are they, when hyper-focused, that not even a fire alarm will interrupt their ability to focus down to the most minute level. If they are trying to focus on something they are not interested in or they have not placed a high priority on, no amount of trying will increase their ability to focus on that subject.
ADHD is not a lack of intelligence
Folks with ADHD tend to be near the top of their community when it comes to IQ. ADHD adults in college normally place in the top 15% of their class. 75-94% of CEOs have ADHD. Most scientists, inventors, artists, military leaders, and doctors have ADHD.
Folks with ADHD can go through stages of ADHD at different points in their lives
Hyperactivity can lessen as an ADHD person approaches adulthood. The ability to hyper-focus can increase with age. Interests can shift as we approach middle age, which means our ability to focus also shifts.
Folks with ADHD are good at certain things
ADHD folks are highly creative and thrive in jobs requiring high degrees of creativity. Folks with ADHD are resilient, if nothing else! Regularly described as bull-dogged determination, once an ADHD person gets their teeth into something they like, they stick with it till they get it or fix it! ADHD adults thrive in environments that demand spontaneity due to their impulsive nature. ADHD folks are great in any position that requires a degree of empathy.
ADHD adults have a strong sense of fairness and commit to helping everyone
Equality doesn’t equate to fairness. Treating everyone the same is not the same as treating people according to what they need.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed reading about some interesting ADHD facts. As you can see, ADHD is not the boogeyman the media would like for you to believe. Most of our Presidents, senior military leaders, CEO’s, inventors, scientists, doctors, etc., have ADHD. Without them, we would still be in the Dark Ages! If you liked reading Interesting ADHD facts, and would like to see more, or you have more fun ADHD facts, comment below or send me an email at DrTerry@youandmeandadhd.com
Dr. Terry Southern
Adventures With ADHD LLC
References
Dallas, M. E. (2013, September 26). Tooth Grinding, Poor Memory, and More: 5 Surprising Facts About ADHD. Retrieved August 19, 2023, from https://www.everydayhealth.com/adhd/tooth-grinding-poor-memory-and-more-surprising-facts-about-adhd.aspx
Gemm Learning (n.d.). Symptoms of Working Memory Issues Working Memory Dysfunction Signs By Age And Type. Retrieved August 19, 2023, from https://www.gemmlearning.com/can-help/working-memory/symptoms/#:~:text=Difficulty%20following%20multi%2Dstep%20directions,for%20more%20time%20and%20repetition
Gemm Learning (n.d.). Symptoms of Working Memory Issues Working Memory Dysfunction Signs By Age And Type. Retrieved August 19, 2023, from https://www.gemmlearning.com/can-help/working-memory/symptoms/#:~:text=Difficulty%20following%20multi%2Dstep%20directions,for%20more%20time%20and%20repetition
Your article on ADHD facts is a commendable effort to dispel misconceptions and offer a more comprehensive view of the condition. Your exploration of the link between ADHD and tooth grinding, the nuanced types of ADHD, and its often mistaken identity for other disorders is truly enlightening. Moreover, your emphasis on the positive attributes of individuals with ADHD challenges stereotypes and encourages a more empathetic understanding. By highlighting the achievements of those with ADHD and their unique strengths, you’ve provided a refreshing perspective that contributes positively to the conversation. Thank you for your informative and insightful contribution to this important topic.
Hi Ashley, My goal is to create a wealth of knowledge for newly diagnosed adults with ADHD. It is a place where anyone can come for more general information on ADHD and where folks with ADHD can learn more before beginning their journey of self-discovery! While ADHD can be a real pain in the Ass for anyone growing up with ADHD, it is possible to not only succeed with ADHD but to excel!
Warmly
Dr. Terry L Southern
YouAndMeAndADHD.com
drterry@youandmeandadhd.com
Adventures With ADHD, LLC
Wow, this article was enlightening. This is actually the first time I realized that I could possibly have ADHD in a milder form. As I child I wasn’t hyperactive but I battled to concentrate. I would stare out the window at school and day dream. Even now I tend to focus on one thing and get overwhelmed quickly if I have too many different things thrown at me. I am happiest when I am in the dance studio building bodies and creating dances. I have bad short term memory and don’t always concentrate on what people are saying. So it’s either that or dimensia I guess. I was surprised to read that most ADHD people are the ones who become doctors and scientists. This is definitely not what I would choose to do.
My immediate suggestion is that you take at least two personality tests. While you can choose whichever you prefer, I recommend The 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Completing personality tests/assessments goes for everyone, especially those who have ADHD or suspect they have ADHD!
Why high schools don’t require Seniors to take personality tests before leaving is a mystery to me! After all, how can you choose a college major without knowing what you’re good at and what you’re not?
According to the Small Business Blog, only 27.3% of college graduates work in their field of study, and I believe it is because folks entering college have no idea what they are good at and what they should leave to someone else!
We all have our strengths and weaknesses, and I don’t care how much you study; you’re never going to fair better than average at something you’re not that hot at, while you might lead the pack in something you are very good at!
As for not choosing to become a doctor, I had decided at an early age that being a doctor was not for me, yet here I am. Of course, had I known that I would eventually become interested in how organizations learn as an entity and how organizational culture is in the driver’s seat, I probably would have opted to return to college at a much younger age! Five years after attaining my doctorate, I’m still fascinated with organizational psychology!
If you have or suspect you have ADHD, don’t count anything out till you know what you’re good at!
Warmly
Dr. Terry L Southern
YouAndMeAndADHD.com
Adventures With ADHD, LLC
References
Campbell, S. (2023, August 13). How Many People Use Their Degrees In 2023? (Statistic). The Small Business Blog. Retrieved August 24, 2023, from https://thesmallbusinessblog.net/how-many-people-use-their-degrees/#:~:text=Only 27.3% of college graduates,would have studied something different.
These ADHD facts shed light on the realities of living with this condition. Have you encountered misunderstandings or misdiagnoses due to ADHD’s overlaps with other conditions? How do you view the assertion that people with ADHD aren’t broken, but simply think differently? What unique strengths do you feel ADHD individuals bring to certain roles?
Working memory challenges are quite common; what strategies have you developed to cope with them? How do you handle the misconception that sugar and TV cause ADHD? As someone with ADHD, I do feel that our intelligence is often underestimated.
Lastly, I was wondering are medications still helpful in managing ADHD symptoms, even though they can’t cure the condition?
Hi Kathy, Unfortunately, to answer all your questions thoroughly would require dozens of pages so I will gloss over a bit. Misunderstandings concerning ADHD by the public are largely due to an irresponsible press corps that sensationalizes everything they write, so we read or watch it!
As for misdiagnoses, I worked for a supervisor vehemently against hiring anyone with a disability! This gentleman had PTSD from the Gulf War and was taking anxiety medications. As it turned out, he is ADHD, as are most aircraft mechanics/techs. His views concerning ADHD folks being criminal misfits came from a 20:20 news presentation 20 years earlier.
As for proof we are not broken, the following is a very short list of folks with ADHD: Albert Einstein, Sir Isaac Newton, Michael Faraday, Stephen Hawking, Thomas Edison, Nicola Tesla, Wilbur Wright, Jules Verne, Scott Kelly, Bill Gates, Ted Nelson, Steve Jobs, Alexander Graham Bell, and Louis Pasteur. Before you say anyone before the 1950s, don’t count because we didn’t know about ADHDE before then. ADHD was first described and treated in the late 1798!
My strategy for dealing with less or less efficient working memory is to carry a notebook or voice recorder everywhere, even in the shower! When you’re engaged in any activity that requires most of your conscious mind, such as not slipping in the shower, my best ideas come to me. A handy notebook saved the day more than once when I wrote something down while waiting to speak during a meeting.
Medications aren’t for everyone, but for many ADHD adults, meds are the difference between a life of success and mediocrity. Stimulant meds don’t work the same on us as on normal folks. When it’s do or die time because I have to concentrate, I’ll take half of an Adderall tablet and sleep like a baby three hours later! Most times, I don’t need the Adderall due to my ability to hyperfocus, but there are times when it is needed, like when my neighbor was getting a new roof installed, and the noise prevented me from getting into my hyperfocus. The problem is finding a medication that works for that person, which could take months of trial and error!
All the best,
Dr. Terry L Southern
YouandMeandADHD.com
drterry@youandmeandadhd.com
This engaging article unveils a collection of intriguing facts about ADHD that may surprise even the most informed readers. From dispelling common myths to providing lesser-known insights, it offers a fresh perspective on this condition. A captivating read for both those affected by ADHD and anyone curious to expand their understanding.
Hi Brian, Thank you for the comment. Based on irresponsible press corps reporting, an outsider’s perspective differs significantly from a successful ADHD adult who has learned to succeed with ADHD! While there are good things about ADHD, I would give it all up to have had a normal childhood, free from bullying and teachers’ underhanded comments. Later in life, ADHD would be challenging in relationships, marriage., and the workplace. It wouldn’t be until after I was diagnosed and began my journey of self-discovery that I would learn the truth: Despite never being accepted by society, there was nothing wrong with me!
All the best,
Dr. Terry L Southern
YouandMeandADHD.com
drterry@youandmeandadhd.com
Adventures With ADHD, LLC
These lesser-known ADHD facts are incredibly eye-opening! It’s fascinating to learn more about the nuances of ADHD and how it can manifest differently in individuals. I’m curious, could you share more about coping strategies that have proven effective for managing the challenges associated with ADHD? Looking forward to expanding my understanding of this topic.
Hi Kiersti, Unfortunately, to answer your question would require a book!. An example would be my website post for ADHD adults who are college-bound in their later years. How do I teach my mind to study when I can’t even sit still for five minutes? This was something I had to learn to do when I started my first class in my Bachelor’s program. Luckily, I was every bit the note taker then as I am today, which made reconstructing events for print easier. That post alone is almost 8,000 words!
If you have ADHD, the best thing you can do for yourself is to read Dr. Edward Hallowell’s book, “Driven To Distraction,” which I consider the authority for newly diagnosed adults with ADHD or parents of ADHD children! From there, the sky is the limit regarding the amount of time you want to spend on your definition of success.
All the best,
Dr. Terry L Southern
YouandMeandADHD.com
drterry@youandmeandadhd.com
Thanks for a great article; as you stated, There are indeed three types of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Inattentiveness (easily distracted, not listening when spoken to, trouble paying attention, and inability to focus when needed), hyperactivity (trouble remaining quiet or engaging in excessive/inappropriate activities and running/climbing), and impulsivity (interrupting, inappropriate behavior, and difficulty waiting). However, ADHD can be easily mistaken for other disorders. For example, it can present with comorbid conditions such as anxiety disorders, depression or bipolar disorder, mood disorders, personality disorders, learning disabilities OCD, and dyslexia. This presents a challenge for diagnosing the condition correctly without specialized training in recognizing ADHD symptoms. Thanks also for the positive comments about how individuals with ADHD can and do live productive and successful lives,
Hi Mollie, While adult ASDHD can be debilitating, it doesn’t have to be. By leveraging the better parts of ADHD, we can create a workplace position explicitly designed with our strengths in mind, precisely what Change Managers do.
All the best,
Dr. Terry L Southern
YouandMeandADHD.com
drterry@youandmeandadhd.com
Adventures With ADHD, LLC