8. ADHD
ADHD can last into adulthood. | iStock.com/KatarzynaBialasiewicz
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is often perceived as a person’s intentional negative behavior to avoid responsibilities. “The belief is often that negative behaviors associated with ADHD can be controlled by the individual if he or she chooses to do so, but this is not always the case,” explained Mendez.
Symptoms include wandering off task, lacking persistence, difficulty sustaining focus, disorganized behaviors, excessive fidgeting, excessive talking, and impulsive reactivity. Extensive research consistently shows that ADHD impairs major life activities, including work. “The research supports that ADHD is a condition that results in cortical thinning in the frontal regions of the brain and reaches across the lifespan from childhood into adulthood,” Mendez added.