Data from 2016-2019 stated that about 9.8% of children ages 3-17 in the United States had been diagnosed with ADHD. That's about 6 million children and adolescents.
But what exactly is ADHD?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a disorder characterized by having patterns of inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity. These behaviors influence and interfere with function and daily life.
It is worth mentioning that people may experience these behaviors from time-to-time, but that does not qualify for a diagnosis of ADHD. In people with ADHD, these behaviors are much more severe and happen much more often than they do in an average person.
Some examples of inattentiveness related to ADHD could be having trouble with attention span (ex: having trouble maintaining a longer attention span while reading a book or listening to someone talk), losing or forgetting things easily, finding it difficult to finish certain tasks or work, or becoming distracted easily.
Some examples of hyperactivity related to ADHD may be constant fidgeting, having trouble sitting still or restlessness, excessive interrupting, or talking.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, boys are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls. The chance of a boy getting diagnosed with ADHD is 13%, whereas for girls, it is only 6%-- a drastic difference.
About 6 in 10 people diagnosed with ADHD also have other mental illnesses. Some of the most common are autism spectrum disorder, Tourette syndrome, anxiety, depression, or other behavioral disorders.
What causes ADHD?
Researchers are not quite sure what exactly causes ADHD, however there are some possibilities. Many believe that genetics do play a big role, and scientists are currently researching whether genetics could be a cause for developing ADHD. Different studies have tried to locate where exactly the disorder shows up in the human genome, however these studies' findings often contradicted each other.
Treatments:
A survey in 2016 determined that 77% of people with ADHD were seeking out some form of treatment, whether that was behavior treatment or medication.
Some treatments of ADHD include:
Medication - Stimulants are the most common type of medication used to treat ADHD. They increase neurotransmitters in the brain such as dopamine and norepinephrine to increase attention span. However, these medications often come with side effects. Non-stimulant medications like antidepressants can be used also to prevent side effects, however these medications take longer to work and come with their own side effects.
Therapies - cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be helpful in order for a person to become more aware of their thoughts and actions to increase focus. Behavioral therapy can help with managing behaviors and help a person change their manners, making them more aware and able to look after their own behavior.
More people are talking about ADHD and are becoming more aware of its severity. Still, more research needs to be done to figure out what the cause of ADHD really is, and how, if at all, genetics plays a role.
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