Three MORE ADHD Myths



Is ADD still a diagnosis? Does ADHD make people lazy? Does ADHD affect intelligence?

These are some of the most common misconceptions we hear, and they can have a real impact on how children, teens, and adults with ADHD are understood and supported.

MFS therapist, Jaclyn Rink's, latest article, breaks down three more of the biggest ADHD myths and shares what the research actually tells us about executive functioning, motivation, and the ADHD brain.

Read the full post to separate fact from fiction and learn how a better understanding of ADHD can change the way we support ourselves and others.

July is BIPOC Mental Health Month, which allows us the opportunity to emphasize that feeling understood and respected is an important part of mental health care.

Our experiences, families, cultures, communities, and identities all shape how we experience stress, anxiety, trauma, and healing. Because of that, mental health doesn't always look the same for everyone. Our approach to treatment shouldn't look the same for everyone either.

Research has shown that folks who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color are more likely to have mental health concerns overlooked, misunderstood, or diagnosed differently than their White peers. Experiences such as racism, discrimination, immigration experiences, community stressors, or generational trauma can also influence how symptoms show up and how comfortable someone feels reaching out for support in the first place.

For providers, this means continuing to listen, learn, and stay curious about experiences that may be different from our own. For individuals and families, it means knowing that it is okay to ask questions, seek second opinions, and look for providers who make you feel heard and understood.

At the end of the day, good mental health care starts with seeing the whole person sitting in front of us, not just a diagnosis, a checklist of symptoms, or a test score. Everyone deserves care that sees the full picture.

It’s officially SUMMER! And for many families & couples, the summer months are primetime for family vacations. While family vacations promise connection, they can also 

bring crowded schedules, parenting demands, opinionated relatives, and very little time alone. If you've ever returned home feeling like you barely spoke to your partner (unless 

it was about sunscreen or whose turn it was to supervise the kids), you're not alone. Research suggests that relationship satisfaction isn't determined by whether couples experience stress—it's determined by how they respond to it together. Vacations with family often increase stress while decreasing opportunities for couples to reconnect, making intentional relationship care even more important.

Here are a few research-backed ways to protect your relationship while vacationing or traveling:

1. Remember: Your partner is on your team.

When tensions rise, it's easy to slip into blame ("You never help with your parents") or criticism ("You're always on your phone"). Instead, pause and assume positive intent. Family vacations create competing loyalties and expectations for everyone. Approaching disagreements with curiosity—"Can you help me understand what you were thinking?"—instead of accusation lowers defensiveness and makes productive conversations more likely.

2. Schedule couple time—don't wait for it to happen.

Quality time rarely appears on its own during family vacations. Even 10–20 minutes of uninterrupted connection can make a meaningful difference. Take a morning walk together before everyone wakes up, enjoy a coffee on the porch, volunteer to make a quick grocery run together, or stay up for a few minutes after everyone else has gone to bed. These small moments help couples reconnect emotionally and remind one another that they are more than just co-parents or family event coordinators.

3. Repair conflict quickly.

Disagreements are inevitable when people are tired, overstimulated, and sharing space. What matters most is how quickly couples repair after conflict. A sincere apology, a gentle touch, shared humor, or simply saying, "I know we're both stressed—I don't want us to be on opposite sides," can interrupt escalating arguments. Relationship research consistently shows that successful couples are not conflict-free; they're skilled at making repairs before resentment grows.

4. Try to engage in a “Vacation Mindset” shift

One of the healthiest reminders for couples is this: you don't have to spend every moment together to stay connected—but you do need to be intentional. It's okay to enjoy time with your children, siblings, or parents independently. The key is making sure you regularly find your way back to one another.

At the end of each day, take just five minutes to ask:

• What was your favorite part of today?
• What felt stressful?
• What can I do tomorrow that would help you enjoy this trip a little more?

Those brief conversations can help transform a vacation from simply surviving family dynamics into strengthening your partnership along the way.