Spotlight: ADHD

ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a very common mental health condition that is marked by its main symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

ADHD is one of the most common childhood mental health conditions, but it is experienced by people of all ages. It is estimated that around 8.8% of children ages 4-17 have ADHD, and that about 4.4% of adults ages 18-44 live with ADHD.

Some of the symptoms of ADHD may include:

Inattention

Becoming easily distracted/bored when trying to focus on one activity
Difficulty listening to instructions
Difficulty following directions in a structured order
Misplacing things

Hyperactivity

Fidgeting or difficulty staying still/in one place for extended periods
Excessive talking or overall difficulty staying quiet when required to
Pacing, general restlessness

Impulsivity

General impatience
Difficulty waiting in turn (especially seen in children)
Acting without regard for potential implications or consequences
Interrupting others

ADHD isn’t a bad thing, and you shouldn’t feel different from those without ADHD.
Adam Levine

Treatment

Treatment for ADHD normally comes in the form of medication (frequently prescriptions such as stimulants, nonstimulants and antidepressants), behavioral therapy, and mindfulness training. ADHD is a very diverse condition so often a combination of treatment options works best. It is even believed that some people “grow out” of some of the symptoms of ADHD, which could explain the drop-off in diagnoses between children and adults.