The Facts of ADHD

ADHD Symptoms
Written By Nikki

ADHD is REAL!

Whether you are newly diagnosed with ADHD or not, it’s important to remember the facts around ADHD. Especially, when you find yourself in a situation where you doubt what’s true and what’s not.

In the podcast, Talking To Family About Your New Diagnosis, we talk about ways to educate your family on your new diagnosis and a couple of strategies on how to get through this transition.  


The most important strategy is taking care of yourself!

What is ADHD?

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. (In a podcast, with Dr. Hallowell, we both agreed the name should change because it automatically makes a person feel like something is wrong with them.)

ADHD is a neurodevelopment disorder, research has shown it is highly genetic. Individuals with ADHD have challenges in inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity.

There are 3 Types of ADHD

Inattentive - less issues with impulsiveness and hyperactivity.

  • Does not pay attention to details

  • Difficulty with organization

  • Easily distracted / Day dreamer

  • Forgetful

Hyperactive - Has the impulsive and hyperactivity challenges.

  • Fidgets / Hard time sitting still

  • Talks excessively

  • Difficulty waiting

  • Interrupts others

Combination of both - individual meets both criteria.

Here are a few interesting facts about ADHD

  • The average age of diagnosis 7 years old

  • ADHD is not just a child disorder, approximately 4% of the adult population have ADHD

  • Males are almost 3X more likely to be diagnosed than females

  • 13% of men will be diagnosed with ADHD. Just 4.2% of women

  • There has been a 42% increase in diagnoses over the last several years

  • Up to 30% of children and 25-40% of adults with ADHD have a coexisting anxiety disorder.

  • Experts claim that up to 70% of those with ADHD will be treated for depression at some point in their lives.

Treatment for ADHD

Continued conversations with your doctor

  • Education of ADHD

  • Understanding and accepting your ADHD

  • Medications: Both Stimulant Meds and Non-Stimulant Meds

  • Therapy

  • Coaching

  • Skills training

  • Self care practices

  • Support system

  • ADHD Systems and structures to manage daily life

There are many challenges that come with ADHD but it doesn’t define you, this is not your fault and you are not broken.

One of the best ways to navigate your ADHD is focusing on your strengths. If you’re not sure how to do this or what your strengths are, I invite you to go through my 7 day Strength Finder.

When you learn more about your ADHD, you can then better understand how to work with it instead of against it.

Thank you for your time and attention,

Nikki


Resources

Healthline - https://www.healthline.com/health/adhd/facts-statistics-infographic

ADDA - https://www.adhdawarenessmonth.org/adhd-facts/

CHADD - https://chadd.org/about-adhd/overview/

Nikki
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