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October is ADHD Awareness Month

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting both children and adults. It is described as a “persistent” or ongoing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that gets in the way of daily life or typical development. Individuals with ADHD may also have difficulties with maintaining attention, executive function (or the brain’s ability to begin an activity, organize itself and manage tasks) and working memory.

October is ADHD Awareness Month and this year's theme is "Awareness is Key!" Here are 7 facts about ADHD:

  1. ADHD is Real - a real brain-based medical disorder.
  2. ADHD is a common, non-discriminatory disorder - affecting people of every age, gender, IQ, religious and socio-economic background.
  3. Diagnosing ADHD is a complex process - a person must exhibit a large number of symptoms that demonstrate significant problems with daily life in several major life areas (work, school, friends), and have had symptoms for a minimum of six months.
  4. Other mental health conditions often occur along with ADHD
    • Up to 30% of children and 25-40% of adults with ADHD have a co-existing anxiety disorder.
    • Experts claim that up to 70% of those with ADHD will be treated for depression at some point in their lives.
    • Sleep disorders affect people with ADHD two to three times as often as those without it.
  5. ADHD is not benign - particularly when the ADHD is undiagnosed and unsupported, ADHD contributes to:
    • Problems succeeding in school and successfully graduating.
    • Problems at work, lost productivity, and reduced earning power.
    • Problems with relationships.
    • More driving citations and accidents.
    • Problems with overeating and obesity.
    • Problems with the law.
  6. ADHD is nobody's fault - is not caused by moral failure, poor parenting, family problems, poor teachers or schools, too much TV, food allergies, or excess sugar.
  7. ADHD Treatment is Multi-Faceted - available treatments focus on reducing symptoms of ADHD and improving functioning.

For more strategies and information on ADHD visit: www.adhdawarenessmonth.org