What is ADHD?
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, often shortened to ADHD, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that causes hyperactivity, difficulty controlling impulsiveness as well as attentiveness.
What are the different types of ADHD?
There are 3 main types of ADHD, one being a combined type of the other two. The first kind is diagnosed through impulsiveness and hyperactivity, which is when someone spontaneously acts and is constantly “on the move”. This is the most rare type of ADHD, as it isn’t followed up with inattention. The following type is more common than the last and is characterized by one’s inability to stay focused. Being both inattentive and hyperactive is the most common type statistically as they go hand-in-hand, making it more likely that someone with ADHD will be both rather than just one.
What are the symptoms?
Children “may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors, or be overly active”, according to the CDC (1). ADHD also progresses in the teen and adult years of a person, making someone more likely to be disorganized, restless, easily distracted, and at a higher risk of engaging in risky behaviors, including but not limited to unsafe sexual activities and substance abuse. In adult ADHD, some other symptoms include problems with organization and prioritizing poor time management skills, and trouble with coping with stress and negative emotions (7). ADHD is fairly common among children and adults, though it is difficult to diagnose in adults and specific groups of children because of how similar the symptoms are to other conditions, such as anxiety.
Who does ADHD affect the most?
There isn’t a specific group of people more likely to get diagnosed with ADHD, however, statistics show that boys are more likely to get diagnosed than girls. Research also suggests that the number of diagnoses for ADHD in girls may be lower due to bias because of the way ADHD symptoms manifest (4). In other words, young girls are most likely to display ADHD traits as anxiety, while boys are more likely to display the typical hyperactivity people associate ADHD with. When comparing ADHD diagnoses between different races, demographics, and ethnicities, children who come from families who are below the federal poverty line or have parents with a high school education or less are more likely to get diagnosed with ADHD. In addition, black children are the most likely to get diagnosed, with white and Hispanic children following up respectively.
What can you do if you have ADHD?
While there is no cure for neurodevelopment disorders (ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Motor Disorders, Tic Disorders, and Specific Disorders), research has found that there are some things you can do to manage your symptoms. One of the biggest and most recommended ways to manage ADHD is through medication prescribed by a psychiatrist or a pediatrician, which is shown to be effective in 80% of children and adults (5). Other than medication, some more holistic strategies include exercising regularly, watching your diet, sleeping regularly, and finding support groups that help to cope and manage with ADHD. In addition, avoiding substance abuse through alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs can aid in regulating symptoms.
Sources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, August 9). What is ADHD?. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.html#:~:text=ADHD%20is%20one%20of%20the,)%2C%20or%20be%20overly%20active.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (2021). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and teens: What you need to know. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-in-children-and-teens-what-you-need-to-know#:~:text=Teens%20with%20ADHD%20also%20are,and%20less%20impairing%20over%20time.
Bhandari, S. (Ed.). (2022, September 1). ADHD/ADD in adults: Symptoms & treatments. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/ss/slideshow-adhd-in-adults
Editors, Add. (2023, June 28). ADHD statistics: New add facts and research. ADDitude. https://www.additudemag.com/statistics-of-adhd/
Kolar, D., Keller, A., Golfinopoulos, M., Cumyn, L., Syer, C., & Hechtman, L. (2008, April). Treatment of adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2518387/
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (n.d.). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adults: What you need to know. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/adhd-what-you-need-to-know
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2023, January 25). Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/adult-adhd/symptoms-causes/syc-20350878
Attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. JHM. (n.d.). https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/adhdadd
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