ADHD Myth #8: ADHD is being overdiagnosed b/c of social media.
The Truth: Research suggests that people with ADHD are STILL being undertreated and possibly misdiagnosed, especially Asian, Black and Hispanic people who are more likely to be labeled as "problem students/employees" instead of being evaluated and diagnosed. ADHD is more likely to be diagnosed today than in prior decades b/c we know more about it and research standards now include underrepresented communities. Inclusion matters.
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ADHD Myth #7: Screen time causes ADHD. The truth: ADHD was recognized by medicine LONG before screens even existed. However, studies have shown that too much screen time *can* worsen symptoms. (sorry). Managing screen time with ADHD can be challenging, especially due to the addictive nature of algorithmic doom scrolling, so it's important to keep an eye on phone use, especially in kids who don't yet have the capacity to create their own support systems.
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ADHD Myth #6: Sugar causes ADHD.
The Truth: There is no evidence to support that sugar directly causes ADHD. However, it IS true that people with ADHD can have complex relationships with sugar and food due to executive functioning making it difficult to plan meals (or remember to eat) and dopamine-seeking, which results in higher rates of issues like binging/purging, overeating to emotionally regulate and obesity in ADHDers than 'typical' brains.
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ADHD Myth # 5: ADHD is caused by bad parenting.
This myth flips cause and effect - when people see a kid struggling with focus or impulse control, they assume it's because parents aren't "strict enough." But ADHD is neurodevelopmental with clear brain differences, not a discipline problem. However, structure and consistent boundaries DO help kids with ADHD manage their symptoms better. A chaotic environment or complete lack of limits can make existing ADHD symptoms worse, but that doesn't mean the parents "caused" the condition - it means ADHD brains need more support, not blame.
Also, important caveat: When we talk about environmental factors affecting ADHD symptoms, we can't ignore that access to structure, consistency, and support often depends on privilege. Single parents working multiple jobs may struggle to provide routine schedules. Families without resources can't afford therapy, tutoring, or calm home environments. Parents with untreated ADHD (often undiagnosed due to barriers to healthcare) face their own executive function challenges that impact parenting. What looks like "permissive parenting" might actually be survival mode, poverty, or lack of access to support systems that make consistent boundaries possible.
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Along with ADHD awareness, October is also Dental Hygiene month and OH BOY: people with ADHD have higher rates of decayed teeth and plaque buildup, AND dental trauma because of it. Adults with ADHD are more than 40% more likely to rate their oral health as fair/poor and nearly twice as likely to be embarrassed by their teeth or mouth. ADHD can make maintaining daily care routines and consistent habits difficult, but you're not gross, you're not weird and you're DEFINITELY not alone on this one.
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ADHD MYTH#3: We're giving kids meth.
Truth: Regulatory agencies *around the world* have determined that several medications are safe and effective for reducing ADHD symptoms. Stimulant medications like methylphenidate and amphetamines are highly effective. Appropriately prescribed ADHD medication has been shown to REDUCE the risk of addiction, not increase it. ADHD medication saves lives, and treating it like illicit drugs further stigmatizes the ADHD community.
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ADHD MYTH # 2: "Amish people/French people/Cuban People/ a specific group of people don't have ADHD."
TRUTH: ADHD is a human experience. They've studied it, and there are NO differences in prevalence between North America and Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and Oceania. ADHD affects 5.9% of youth and 2.8% of adults worldwide, occurring throughout the developed and developing world. The difference in visibility is *diagnosis* and how ADHD symptoms are treated culturally.
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ADHD MYTH #1: "It's a new fad!"
Truth: ADHD has been described in medical literature since 1775, even earlier if you count ancient Greece.The neurodevelopmental disorder we call ADHD has been recognized clinically for over two centuries. It isn't "bad behavior" or "just needing to try harder". Over 10,000 clinical and scientific publications have been published on ADHD, and ALL of these studies show specific, numerous differences between those with and without ADHD.
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October is ADHD Awareness Month, and this one feels particularly poignant. At a time when the president has gone on record spreading misinformation about Autism and denying the existence of ADHD, I'll be spending this month highlighting myths & misinformation about ADHD and what the science *actually* says. Today we'll start with the most basic: Does ADHD even exist? Quantifiably, reliably, scientifically, the answer is YES. it does. Anybody else who tells you differently is patently wrong.
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Welcome back to more ✨Kink Just Makes Sense✨ Join me as I yap on infographics about the relationship between kink and neurodivergence. Kink is ABSOLUTELY something that could be a special interest. How's your Friday going?
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Welcome to Catieosaurus! I'm Cate Osborn—ADHD educator, certified sex educator, speaker, and author of The ADHD Field Guide for Adults (Simon & Schuster, 2026). This channel dives deep into ADHD, autism, intimacy, kink, and the messy realities of neurodivergent life. Expect content on relationships, communication, sex ed, mental health, executive dysfunction, and more—plus interviews, behind-the-scenes from my book tour, and a little unhinged joy. If you’re looking for honest, inclusive, neurodivergent-centered conversation, you’re in the right place. Subscribe for new videos weekly, and come join Fruitsnack Nation. 💜
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🐶 Dog cameos included
3 August 2020