The Truth About ADHD

A 5th grader from Middle Valley Elementary School says “Having ADHD at school makes it hard to focus and get work done. Sometimes I don’t pay attention well and it makes it hard to learn.” Children, mainly elementary school kids have a hard time juggling school, events, and tasks while having ADHD. Older kids with ADHD can struggle to focus and do their work as well. Teens with ADHD struggle with relationships and tend to engage in risky behaviors. Adults with ADHD also have struggles but sometimes can manage it better. They may be irritable, have low stress tolerance, and struggle with impulsivity, along with a bunch of other symptoms. ADHD is most common in males. Females with ADHD are more likely to show inattention as the primary symptom as well as other conditions, like learning disabilities, anxiety disorder, conduct disorder, depression, or substance use disorder. Researchers do not know for sure but some environmental factors that might raise the risk of developing ADHD include brain injuries, nutrition, and social environments.

ADHD is one of the most common mental disorders in children and is estimated to affect 5-9% of school-age children. It also affects an estimated 4% of adults. ADHD stands for Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, this means a person with ADHD has ongoing symptoms of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. This kind of disorder can make everyday life very hard and make tasks that seem small to others very hard for a person with ADHD.

There is no cure for ADHD but there are some things people can do to keep it treated. Medication is the most common but people also do psychotherapy and behavioral interventions, therapy, support groups, school-based programs, and training. To stay more organized, children and teens like to maintain a good schedule and routine, be organized, and be clear and consistent. Adults follow the same rules while also getting regular exercise and using a calendar.

Although ADHD can be difficult and have its struggles, people with ADHD have a unique mindset, and values, and are extremely creative. Here are some benefits of ADHD that are helpful despite the struggles: Hyperfocus, which can improve people’s performance and help people work faster and more efficiently. More resilience than most other students. Conversational skills; some studies have shown that people with ADHD have more social skills and empathy. The best way to make the most of the benefits is to manage the environment they are in to allow the benefits to grow and be useful.