ADHD: What We Know and its Prevalence in Society

With the steady increase in the number of people diagnosed with ADHD each year, many may be asking why this is the case, and what it means for the future of our understanding of ADHD.

The increase can likely be attributed to factors such as increased awareness and public recognition of ADHD, as well as more empirical research being conducted, which in-turn, has spurred governmental policies to address challenges individuals with ADHD face on a daily basis, particularly amongst children in school environments, and to facilitate awareness and recognition of the disorder.

Life with ADHD:

Before going further, it is important to gain some insight into what the life of a person with ADHD is typically like. One may experience a more chaotic and disorganised than that of someone without it.

People with ADHD have often faced a stigma around it, as it may look from the outside as if the person is uninterested or all over the place and constantly distracted. There has also been a history of not believing those suffering with ADHD, and brushing it aside and simply blaming the person, rather than acknowledging the disorder.

However, on the inside, that person is experiencing some very hard to deal with symptoms which impair their functioning in their day-to-day lives. Furthermore, people with ADHD commonly express feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, stressed, restless and insecure.

What to look out for:

It is important to note, that ADHD, a neurodevelopmental disorder, can be broken up into two subsections, namely, attention deficit, and hyperactivity and impulsivity.

Common symptoms with attention deficit include struggling to listen and pay attention, struggling to follow clear instructions, trouble focusing on tasks, disorganised, struggle to manage time, Hyperactivity and impulsivity includes fidgeting and struggling to sit still, as well as feeling restless includes blurting out answers before a question is completed, struggling with waiting for their turn, interrupts or intrudes on others' conversations or games, acts without thinking, which can lead to accidents or injuries, and has difficulty controlling emotional reactions.

Treatment:

With the increased number of diagnoses taking place as well as more recognition, treatment and management is easier than ever before. One may receive stimulant or non-stimulant medications, potentially in combination with behavioral therapies, and parent training.

Increased focus has also been put on classroom interventions, and psychological counseling to educate, and help to alleviate some of the symptoms which one with ADHD experiences. With the prevalence and successes being achieved with treatments, paired with increased recognition and understanding of ADHD, the future looks positive, and those potentially with ADHD are encouraged to seek out professional testing.

Treatment and management of the disorder is also encouraged to those in need, and together, the stigma can be challenged, and increased awareness can continue.