This month is ADHD awareness month. Most people have heard of ADHD, in casual conversations or jokes, or maybe because you have heard that someone you know has it. However this being said, many people still don’t know the truth about ADHD. The truth being what it is, the symptoms, who it affects, and much, much more.
I found myself first immersed in the world of ADHD when I was 14. When I was fourteen years old I was given the news that I had a neurobehavioral disorder called Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD as it is commonly named. The day I was diagnosed, my life changed.
You see, ADHD is a diagnosis that has received a lot of criticism, being called “too common” or “not real” so to a lot of people, it is something that is hidden, and no one talks about. In truth, ADHD affects 3-5% of American Children, and almost always carries into adulthood, affecting so many lives. Many children as they grow, however, either learn to adapt to a world that is not set up to handle the differences in their brains, or they fall through the cracks.
ADHD awareness is important in order to encourage education about this disorder, and to help assure that no one else falls through the cracks because of a neurobehavioral disorder that can be treated. Its important because no child deserves to grow up feeling they are dumb, or not trying hard enough, only to find out they have ADHD, which is reasoning for many of their symptoms.
The symptoms of ADHD are (source):
Inattention: Must be inappropriate for developmental level:
Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, at work, or with other activities.
Often has trouble holding attention on tasks or play activities.
Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (e.g., loses focus, side-tracked).
Often has trouble organizing tasks and activities.
Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to do tasks that require mental effort over a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).
Often loses things necessary for tasks and activities (e.g. school materials, pencils, books, tools, wallets, keys, paperwork, eyeglasses, mobile telephones).
Is often easily distracted
Is often forgetful in daily activities.
Hyperactivity and Impulsivity: Must be to the extent that is disruptive and inappropriate for the person’s developmental level:
Often fidgets with or taps hands or feet, or squirms in seat.
Often leaves seat in situations when remaining seated is expected.
Often runs about or climbs in situations where it is not appropriate (adolescents or adults may be limited to feeling restless).
Often unable to play or take part in leisure activities quietly.
Is often “on the go” acting as if “driven by a motor”.
Often blurts out an answer before a question has been completed.
Often has trouble waiting his/her turn.
Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games)
In addition, the following conditions must be met:
Several inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms were present before age 12 years.
Several symptoms are present in two or more setting, (e.g., at home, school or work; with friends or relatives; in other activities).
There is clear evidence that the symptoms interfere with, or reduce the quality of, social, school, or work functioning.
The symptoms do not happen only during the course of schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder. The symptoms are not better explained by another mental disorder (e.g. Mood Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Dissociative Disorder, or a Personality Disorder).
Many individuals in the general population may have a few symptoms of ADHD, however it is considered ADHD (when diagnosed of course), when there are several symptoms present and these symptoms have a substantial impact on the individuals life, causing lots of difficulties. I myself have had symptoms of ADHD my entire life, such as inability to organize, focus, frequently losing things, and being impulsive. These struggles led to bullying by peers, teachers, and other adults. Many individuals with ADHD deal with these struggles and with others not fully understanding their difficulties, and therefore becoming frustrated with these individuals.
There are three subtypes of ADHD that individuals fall under. It’s important to learn about them in order to help understand some of the specific difficulties of that individual:
ADHD Predominantly inattentive type:
This is what was once know as ADD. This subtype of ADHD typically lacks the typical hyperactivity seen in ADHD. Its more inattentive in nature, hence the name.
ADHD Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive type:
These are when most of the hyperactive-impulsive symptoms are met but not necessarily the inattentive symptoms.
This is when both hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive symptoms are present. This is the most common type diagnosed (I have this type).
One way to think about a brain with ADHD is to think of things like this. In a neurotypical brain, it is like a criss cross pattern of channels. Ideas pass through these channels and know where to go and organize. In a brain with ADHD it’s like it you were to take all these criss cross patterns, take them into your hands and scramble them until they are a tangled mess, and all these connections are trying to frantically find their place, your mind racing. That is how it can sometimes feel like, at least to me, and may be a good way to explain it.
However, despite all the challenges of ADHD, there is a lot of hope, and various treatments and things that can help. One thing that can substantially impact positively the life of someone with ADHD is a prescribed stimulant, such as Adderall, Ritalin, and many other types. These need to be prescribed by a doctor or psychiatrists, but for individuals with ADHD it can be sometimes substantially beneficial to discuss potentially starting on a stimulant. Please do not take stimulants without a prescription, as they can be addictive as well as potentially dangerous if not prescribed and monitored by a doctor. It is also illegal to take stimulants without a prescription (with the exception of caffeine, but this shouldn’t be seen as a total treatment for ADHD). Stimulants can help individuals with ADHD focus on the task at hand and become less distracted, giving new hope to a bright future.
Besides medication, if in the education system an IEP (individualized education plan), a 504 plan, or other plan for special services can be very beneficial. The requirements for extra services vary from person to person and need to be individualized based on a person’s needs.
Another helpful thing is to have someone try and help an individual with ADHD with organization. Organization can be very difficult for someone with ADHD, so patience and understanding is required. Filling and the checking of assignments can be helpful, as someone with ADHD may think they have completed an assignment and not actually have done so (has happened to me several times).
Fidget toys can be very helpful for individuals with ADHD as it can give them a way to work out that extra energy and help with focusing more in places like class. You can find a link to them here.
Short increments for studying can be helpful, such as 15 and/or 30 minute intervals and then a short break. Unless very interested in a subject, individuals with ADHD can have a difficult time focusing for long periods of time. This can lead to frustration, easy distractibility, or difficult comprehending if not given a potentially small break to calm thoughts and change tasks
Addressing other comorbid and coexisting conditions with ADHD is needed as well. ADHD can either be comorbid or sometimes cause conditions such as: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Sensory Processing or Integration Disorder (SPD or SID), Learning disorders/disabilities, Depression, Anxiety, and much more. These conditions, if present, need to be addressed as well to lead to happy/healthy lives.
Living a happy/healthy life with ADHD is possible, and many individuals with ADHD live on to live amazing lives. You see, ADHD does not only have commonly bad and destructive traits, but there are some good traits like imagination (many individuals have wonderful, vast imaginations and are very creative), hyper focusing (on topics that are of interest, many individuals with ADHD can hyper focus on these tasks, which enables doing amazing things ), and intelligence (many individuals with ADHD are very smart, our brains just work differently!).
Thank you for reading this, and reading about ADHD. I hope you join me this month to raise awareness for ADHD, a neurobehavioral disorder that affects so many people. You can read more about ADHD on Additude, a website to learn more about ADHD, and on a site for ADHD awareness month. Two colors represent ADHD: Orange and Purple. Orange is more commonly worn. Please wear one or both colors to show your support this month for those of us with ADHD and to raise awareness for this disorder.
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