7 Facts Everyone Should Know About ADHD
October is ADHD Awareness Month, and this week we want to call out 7 facts that we should all know about attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
ADHD touches nearly every person. Whether you, a family member, a friend, or coworker has been diagnosed with it, there’s no doubt that it’s one of the most common disorders, with the number of people who are diagnosed with it rising each year.
And while there are lots of myths and misunderstandings about this condition, here are 7 facts that can help you understand ADHD better.
1. Anyone Who Has ADHD Can Benefit From Treatment
A significant number of medical, psychological and educational organizations across the United States all agree that children and adults who are diagnosed with ADHD can and do benefit from treatment.
Just to name a few, they include the National Institute of Mental Health, the CDC, the U.S. Department of Research, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.
2. ADHD is a Widespread, Non-Discriminatory Disorder
What we mean when we say ADHD is a non-discriminatory disorder is that it affects people from any and all walks of life.
Someone can be diagnosed with ADHD regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, IQ, religious or socio-economic background.
3. Boys Are More Likely to be Diagnosed with ADHD
Research shows that boys are two to three times more likely to be diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder than girls. This doesn’t mean that boys are more susceptible to the disorder.
Typically, boys with ADHD have symptoms that manifest externally, whereas girls with ADHD have symptoms that show internally. Either way, it’s important to speak with a healthcare provider if you are wondering if your child might have ADHD.
4. Diagnosing Someone with ADHD is Not a Simple Process
In order for a person to be diagnosed with ADHD, they must exhibit a significant number of symptoms and problems in their daily lives over a long period of time. They also have to make sure that they are not being diagnosed for a similar condition.
To learn more about the various symptoms that can determine if someone has ADHD, click here.
5. it’s Common for Other Mental Health Conditions to Occur Alongside ADHD
In addition to ADHD, up to 30% of children and 25-40% of adults are also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Experts also claim that up to 70% of people with ADHD will be treated for depression at some point during their lives.
Sleep disorders are also two to three times more likely to affect individuals with ADHD.
6. There are Consequences if ADHD Goes Untreated
ADHD is not a benign condition. If it goes undiagnosed and untreated, individuals can have problems with school, work, relations, driving, overeating and obesity.
For children especially, if their condition isn’t diagnosed when they’re young, it’s very likely that their symptoms will grow and manifest in new forms all the way through adulthood.
7. ADHD Treatment Takes Many Forms
There is no one method for treating ADHD. In fact, it’s usually a combination of treatment options, depending on what works best for the patient.
ADHD treatments include medication, different types of psychotherapy, behavioral interventions, education, training, and holistic forms of care like chiropractic.
First Steps for Diagnosing ADHD
Figuring out if your or your child has ADHD is a lengthy process, and the first step towards a diagnosis is to contact a healthcare provider to determine if the symptoms match up with the disorder.
The diagnosis can be made by a mental health professional (i.e. a psychologist or psychiatrist) or by a primary care provider, such as a pediatrician.
For other recommendations on how to pursue an ADHD diagnosis in your child, click here.