Busting 3 Persistent ADHD Myths: What Science Really Says About Intelligence, Medication, and Gender

When Misconceptions Masquerade as Facts

For decades, myths about ADHD have shaped how society—and even clinicians—understand it. These myths have delayed diagnosis, discouraged treatment, and left countless people questioning their own experiences. Below are three of the most stubborn misconceptions, dismantled through science and lived experience.

Myth 1: “You can’t have ADHD if you’re smart or successful.”

ADHD and intelligence are not opposites. The condition exists across all IQ levels, and many high-IQ or high-achieving adults live with undiagnosed ADHD. Research shows that even those with above-average intelligence experience the same executive function challenges as others with ADHD (Millioni et al., 2017). High intellect can help mask symptoms—but it doesn’t erase them.

Why this myth persists:

• Compensation and resilience. High-achieving ADHDers often develop creative workarounds that hide the struggle beneath the surface.

• Overlapping traits. Curiosity, restlessness, and risk-taking—common among gifted individuals—also mirror ADHD traits.

• Hyperfocus and creativity. Many professionals with ADHD channel their interest-based nervous system into bursts of innovation and productivity.

Intelligence doesn’t inoculate anyone from ADHD—it simply changes how it shows up. A person can build a thriving business, complete a PhD, or raise a family while still battling chronic disorganization, task initiation paralysis, or emotional exhaustion. Recognizing this duality allows for both self-compassion and more accurate diagnosis.

Myth 2: “ADHD medication leads to substance abuse.”

This long-standing fear is not supported by evidence. In fact, the opposite is true.

Large-scale studies show that taking prescribed ADHD medication does not increase the risk of later substance abuse and may actually reduce it (Quinn et al., 2017; Boland et al., 2020). When ADHD goes untreated, impulsivity and poor self-regulation raise vulnerability to self-medication and addiction (Zulauf et al., 2014).

What research reveals:

• Early, consistent treatment protects the brain. Individuals who begin treatment earlier show lower rates of substance misuse in adulthood (McCabe et al., 2024; Chang et al., 2014).

• Untreated ADHD is the real risk factor. Managing symptoms through medication and behavioral support decreases the likelihood of turning to substances for relief (Groenman et al., 2017).

• Brain development benefits. Neuroimaging research suggests stimulants may normalize certain brain structures linked to attention and reward (Nakao et al., 2011; Wu et al., 2024).

Medication isn’t a cure-all, but when used responsibly—alongside ADHD coaching, lifestyle interventions, and therapy—it’s an evidence-based tool for stabilizing executive function and improving long-term outcomes.

Myth 3: “ADHD is a boy’s disorder.”

The stereotype of the hyperactive schoolboy has caused generations of girls and women to be overlooked. While boys are still diagnosed more frequently in childhood, the ratio evens out to nearly 1:1 in adulthood (da Silva et al., 2020). The discrepancy isn’t about prevalence—it’s about recognition.

Here’s what we now know:

• Diagnostic bias. Early diagnostic criteria were developed almost entirely from studies of boys, missing the inattentive, internalized presentations more common in girls (Attoe & Climie, 2023).

• Subtle symptom profiles. Women are more likely to experience daydreaming/inattention, and mental hyperactivity rather than overt impulsivity (Mowlem et al., 2019; Nussbaum, 2012).

• Masking and misdiagnosis. Many women hide their difficulties to meet social expectations, often being diagnosed instead with anxiety or depression (Quinn & Madhoo, 2014).

These gendered blind spots delay care and compound shame. Reframing ADHD as a condition that spans all genders—and presents in diverse ways—is essential to equitable treatment.

Why These Myths Matter

Each of these misconceptions reinforces stigma and keeps people from seeking help. When we assume ADHD only belongs to “distracted kids,” we miss the high-functioning adults quietly burning out. When we distrust medication, we leave symptoms unmanaged. And when we gender ADHD, we silence the experiences of millions of women who’ve spent their lives masking exhaustion as competence.

The science is clear: ADHD is not a moral failing, a reflection of intelligence, or a childhood phase—it’s a neurodevelopmental difference that benefits from understanding, structured support, and research-informed care.

Working With Your Brain

Whether you’re a professional noticing ADHD patterns in yourself or a practitioner supporting neurodivergent clients, accurate information is the first step toward meaningful change. If you’re ready to learn how to work with your brain’s wiring rather than fight against it, consider connecting with a certified ADHD coach who understands executive function, motivation, and emotional regulation.

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References

Attoe, D. E., & Climie, E. A. (2023). Miss Diagnosis: A systematic review of ADHD in adult women. Journal of Attention Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1177/10870547231161533Boland, H., et al. (2020). The effects of ADHD medications on functional outcomes. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 123,21–30.

Chang, Z., et al. (2014). Stimulant ADHD medication and risk for substance abuse. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 55(8), 878–885.

da Silva, A. G., et al. (2020). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Women. In Women’s Mental Health (Springer).

Groenman, A. P., Janssen, T. W. P., & Oosterlaan, J. (2017). Childhood psychiatric disorders as risk factors for subsequent substance abuse. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 56(7), 556–569.

McCabe, S. E., et al. (2024). Age of onset and stimulant therapy for ADHD and substance misuse. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 65(1), 100–111.

Millioni, A. L. V., et al. (2017). High IQ may “mask” ADHD diagnosis by compensating for executive deficits. Journal of Attention Disorders, 21(6), 455–464.

Mowlem, F. D., et al. (2019). Sex differences in predicting ADHD diagnosis and treatment. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 28(4), 481–489.

Nakao, T., et al. (2011). Gray matter volume abnormalities in ADHD: Meta-analysis exploring medication effects.American Journal of Psychiatry, 168(11), 1154–1163.

Nussbaum, N. L. (2012). ADHD and female-specific concerns. Journal of Attention Disorders, 16(2), 87–100.

Quinn, P. D., et al. (2017). ADHD medication and substance-related problems. American Journal of Psychiatry, 174(9),877–885.

Quinn, P. O., & Madhoo, M. (2014). Uncovering hidden ADHD in women and girls. Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders, 16(3).

Wu, F., et al. (2024). Stimulant medications normalize brain regions associated with attention and reward.Neuropsychopharmacology.Zulauf, C. A., et al. (2014). The complicated relationship between ADHD and substance use disorders. Current Psychiatry Reports, 16(3), 436.