ADHD Myths vs Facts

ADHD affects people of all genders and all ages, not just young boys. Boys are diagnosed more often in childhood, but that's largely because their symptoms (hyperactivity, disruptive behaviour) are more visible and match outdated stereotypes.

Girls and women often present differently. They tend to be more inattentive and less disruptive, and are frequently missed or diagnosed much later in life, including in adulthood.

According to the NHS, ADHD is a developmental condition that typically starts in childhood and, for most people, continues into adult life.

What changes with age is how it shows up: hyperactivity tends to become less obvious (often turning into inner restlessness), while inattentiveness, disorganisation and difficulty concentrating often persist or become more noticeable as adult responsibilities increase. Some people's symptoms do become milder, but the underlying condition rarely disappears entirely.

ADHD isn't an inability to focus; it's difficulty regulating attention. Many people with ADHD can “hyperfocus” (concentrate very intensely) on tasks they find stimulating or interesting, sometimes for hours, while struggling enormously to concentrate on tasks that feel boring, repetitive or effortful.

The core issue is inconsistent attention control, not a lack of concentration altogether.

This is well documented. Diagnosis rates for boys are far higher than for girls in childhood, but the gap narrows significantly by adulthood, a pattern researchers say reflects underdiagnosis in girls rather than ADHD developing later in women.

Girls are more likely to internalise symptoms (keep struggles inward), mask difficulties to fit in socially, and be misdiagnosed with anxiety or mood disorders instead, which delays proper identification and support, sometimes for decades.

When ADHD medication is prescribed and dosed correctly, it's designed to ease core symptoms like inattention and impulsivity, not to change who someone is.

If a person feels “flat,” emotionally blunted or “not like themselves,” that's usually a sign the dose or medication type isn't right for them. It's worth discussing with the prescribing doctor rather than assuming personality change is a normal or expected effect.