My Good Brain

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ADHD Awareness Month

Ashley Krombach (she/her)

Did you know that October is ADHD Awareness Month? ADHD, short for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, is defined by the American Pyschological Association as a behavioral condition that makes focusing on everyday requests and routines challenging (APA, n.d.). People living with ADHD might experiene challenges with getting organized, controlling impulsive behaviors, making and sticking to plans, and staying focused. While we can all experience challenges with these things from time to time, having ADHD means these challenges are more pervasive and persistant - often interfering with one’s ability to complete activities of daily living at school, home, and work.

October is ADHD Awareness Month - a month spent focusing on debunking harmful myths that perpetuate stigma around ADHD and highlighting shared experiences to create a stronger understanding. Let’s take a look at three common myths about ADHD and see what the science really says!

MYTH: ADHD is not a medical condition.

FACT: ADHD is a medical condition and is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder.

Attention deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting 11 percent of school-age children and 4 percent of adults (CHAD, n.d.). While researchers are still exploring the root causes of ADHD, studies have linked back to genetic factors and neurobiological structuring during development (CDC, 2022). What was once understood as a childhood disorder, is now recognized as a lifespan disorder that may evolve over the course of an individual’s life.

MYTH: ADHD looks the same for everyone.

FACT: ADHD presents in three different ways and symptoms can range from mild to severe.

Stigma that surrounds ADHD paints a picture of what ADHD “looks like.” The truth is, ADHD can present in a variety of ways and symptoms often look different from person to person.

There are three presenting styles of ADHD (CDC, 2022):

  • Predominantly Inattentive Presentation: People with predominately inattentive presentation may have difficulty completing a task or organizing the steps needed to follow through. They may have difficulties following a conversation or instructions and often forget daily routines due to being easily distracted.

  • Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation: People with hyperactive-impulsive presentation may be fidgety or restless and struggle to sit still. They may also be very talkative which can lead to challenges with waiting their turn, interrupting others, and following directions.

  • Combined Presentation: People with a combined presentation often show a combination of the above symptoms in different patterns and at different levels of severity.

Even within these presenting styles, symptoms can range from mild to severe. Mild symptoms have little impact on day-to-day activities at school, home, and work, while severe symptoms can make even the smallest of activities a significant challenge. Understanding the different symptoms and how they show up is key to establishing interventions that support the individual in making behavioral or environmental modifications to be successful.

MYTH: ADHD is overdiagnosed.

FACT: ADHD diagnoses often go underrecognized or misdiagnosed.

According to the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, the national prevalence of ADHD was 3.5%. In recent years, ADHD diagnoses have become more common due in part to the increased understanding and awareness of the disorder - including the different ways it shows up. According to the CDC, boys are three times more likely to receive a diagnosis of ADHD than girls. This is because symptoms of ADHD often look different for girls than they do for boys. Research shows that girls often present with more internalized symptoms (e.g., forgetfulness, inattentiveness, etc.) whereas boys often present with externalized symptoms (e.g., impulsivity, hyperactivity, etc.). With adults, symptoms of ADHD are often misunderstood for mood disorders, anxiety, etc. which results in a later diagnosis.

Deubunking myths that surround ADHD help to reduce stigma and elevates the importance of looking at ADHD on an individual basis to ensure that treatment and support is tailored to the unique set of needs their particular symptoms and presentation call for. Want to learn how you can help to raise awareness, share your story, and build a shared understanding? Visit https://www.adhdawarenessmonth.org/ to learn, share, and connect.

For more information, resources, and support, check out the organizations listed below.