ADHD, which is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is something that can affect anyone at any age. It doesn’t matter how smart someone is, what their racial background is, or what religion they practice. This disorder affects the brain and it seems to affect men more than it does women. Even so, with effective treatment, ADHD is a very manageable disorder.
1. It’s Common, Not Prevalent
In looking at the percentage of children who have ever been diagnosed with this disorder, the figure stands at just below 10%. It happens in boys twice as often as it happens in girls and it can persist into adulthood too. The CDC estimates that over 4% of the adult population of the United States has some form of ADHD that causes symptoms and possibly some form of a disability.
2. There’s High Energy
The hyperactivity portion of ADHD often makes it seem like it is a different disorder from other attention deficit disorders, but it is not. It is simply a way to describe the fact that some people have hyperactivity that is associated with their disorder. Not everyone becomes hyperactive when their disorder kicks in.
3. Complex Is an Understatement
There are a lot of beliefs and philosophies that surround how ADHD can be diagnosed, but it isn’t a simple disorder. A child can sit through a favorite television show and still have ADHD. Someone who is constantly buzzing around doesn’t necessarily have this disorder. If someone has significant problems with daily life for a minimum of 6 months, then this disorder may be diagnosed if it continues to be pervasive.
4. There’s More To It
People who have ADHD often have other disorders as well. About a third of children and adults actually have a co-existing anxiety disorder that can operate simultaneously with their attention deficits. This is why a proper diagnosis can be so challenging. Multiple symptoms may be on display all at the same time.
5. Sleeping Is Tough
Those who are diagnosed with ADHD often have sleeping problems. Insomnia disorders affect people up to three times more often when ADHD is present than when it is not. Depression is also a common issue. 70% of those who are diagnosed with an attention deficit disorder will also be treated for depression at least once in their lives.
6. It’s Not Cheap
Because ADHD can cause people to become impulsive and make poor choices, it is believed that billions of dollars are spent every year because of people who had this disorder, but remain undiagnosed and untreated. This may make it one of the most expensive medical conditions in the world today.
7. No One Is At Fault
Having bad parents, a poor diet, or lousy teachers aren’t behind the development of ADHD. It is believed to be highly genetic in nature and have specific brain-based disorder features that are linked to specific areas of the mind. Some believe extra sugar or even food allergies to blame. The research about this disorder, however, says otherwise.