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ADHD Awareness Month

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Why ADHD Month?

In addition to October being the month where the weather starts to get chilly and pumpkin spice lattes return, it is also ADHD Awareness Month. ADHD Awareness month started as ADHD Awareness Day back in 2004 but has since grown into a month with the aim of spreading awareness about the very common disorder.

What is ADHD?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is among one of the most common brain-based psychiatric disorders that affects children, though it also affects many adults. Some symptoms of ADHD include inattention (difficulty focusing), hyperactivity (excess movement), and impulsivity (acting hastily without thought) (APA, 2021). Some individuals have primary difficulty with inattention, some have primary difficulty with hyperactivity, and yet others experience profound challenges with both. Especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, those with ADHD have been faced with navigating the virtual world of zoom, entering virtual classrooms and work spaces which have posed even more challenges to their ability to focus. 

Statistics.

  • An estimated 8.4% of children and 2.5% of adults have ADHD (APA, 2021).
  • Boys are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls (CDC, 2021).
  • The average age of ADHD diagnosis is 7 years of age (CDC, 2021).

Psychological Impact and Treatment of ADHD.

In addition to the extra difficulties that those with ADHD face as previously described, the diagnosis is often accompanied by co-occurring, or comorbid, psychological disorders. According to a national parent survey conducted in 2016, approximately 6 in 10 children with ADHD had at least one other mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder; such comorbid disorders included a behavior or conduct disorder, an anxiety disorder, a depressive disorder, autism spectrum disorder, or tourette syndrome (CDC, 2021).

Treatment for ADHD often includes medication and behavioral therapy. For children 6 years of age and older, “the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends behavior therapy and medication, preferably both together. For children under 6 years of age behavior therapy is recommended as the first line of treatment” (CDC, 2021). Adults with ADHD also benefit from treatment involving psychotherapy, medication, or both combined. Additionally, behavior management strategies, which often involve immediate family members, aim to minimize distractions as well as increase organization and structure (APA, 2021).

Online Resources

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2021). What is ADHD? Retrieved October 22, 2021, from https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/adhd/what-is-adhd. 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Data and statistics about ADHD. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved October 22, 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html.