Basics
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
What does ADHD stand for?
Internal/emotional symptoms
trouble managing attention, trouble focusing on a task or maintaining focus, trouble multitasking, mood swings or easily frustrated
you have ADHD if you haven't been able to focus on something once
Myth; duh
How common is ADHD?
Very common; The US sees over 3 million diagnosed cases of ADHD every year in both adults and adolescents. A study from the National Survey of Children’s Health found that approximately 9.4% or 6.1 million children in the US have received an ADHD diagnosis, while results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication screen of 3,199 adults aged 18–44 found that approximately 11 million (or 4.4%) adults have been diagnosed with ADHD in the US.
Poor time management skills, poor planning, impulsiveness, disorganization and problems prioritizing
What are symptoms that impact planning or the future?
ADHD is caused by laziness and bad parenting
Myth; Many people assume that ADHD in children must be a result of poor parenting and ADHD in adults must be a result of laziness. Neither of these judgements are true. While scientists are unsure of the exact cause of ADHD, research has shown that the area of the brain associated with attention is less active in people with ADHD.
Common ADHD medications include...
adderall, dexedrine
physical/observable symptoms
Excessive activity or restlessness, trouble sitting still, fidgeting, in constant motion, talk "too much"*
*most are symptoms commonly seen in children
ADHD can only be diagnosed in children
Myth; Though ADHD is often diagnosed in childhood, ADHD symptoms can continue into or even develop in adulthood. While symptoms of ADHD hinder learning during childhood, symptoms can equally impair an adult’s ability to function in everyday life if left untreated.
What # of US citizens are diagnosed with ADHD
6 million (9.8%)
Mental health/social impact
low self-esteem, troubled or unstable relationships, poor performance in school/at work, trouble coping with stress
ADHD and ADD are the same disorder
Attention deficit disorder, or ADD, is ADHD without “hyperactivity,” and some people use it to describe the inattentive presentation of ADHD. But in fact, the term ADD is an older term that has been replaced with ADHD.
What is the percentage of the gender gap in ADHD diagnoses?
8.5%
ADHD symptoms _______ with age
Some people with ADHD have fewer symptoms as they age, but some adults continue to have major symptoms that interfere with daily functioning, so they can increase or stay about the same.
ADHD medication will change people's personality
Myth; Stimulant medications for ADHD are sometimes said to make people moody or sedated, but this isn't the case for most. If it does happen, it means they're getting the wrong dose or the wrong medication for their needs.