ADHD Awareness Month 2020

Held every October, This month it’s ADHD Awareness Month.  This year’s campaign is to focus on Common Questions, Reliable Answers during 2020 – The primary goal is to raise awareness of ADHD and remove the stigma. 

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting both children and adults around the globe – It is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. 

ADHD in Children

Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors (may act without thinking about what the result will be), or be overly active.

It is normal for children to have trouble focusing and behaving at one time or another. However, children with ADHD do not just grow out of these behaviours. 

At present, The cause(s) and risk factors for ADHD are unknown, but current research shows that genetics plays an important role. 

As there is no single test to diagnose a child with ADHD, an official diagnosis takes quite a long time due to the number of steps to be followed. Many other problems such as anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and certain types of learning disabilities can have similar symptoms. One step of the process involves having a medical exam, including hearing and vision tests, to rule out other problems with symptoms like ADHD. 

More often than not, ADHD is best treated with a combination of behavior therapy and medication. For preschool-aged children (4-5 years of age) with ADHD, behavior therapy, particularly training for parents, is recommended as the first line of treatment before medication is tried. 

Having a healthy lifestyle can make it easier for your child to deal with ADHD symptoms.

ADHD in Adults

ADHD can last into adulthood – Some adults have ADHD but have never been diagnosed. The symptoms can cause difficulty at work, at home, or with relationships and symptoms may become more severe when the demands of adulthood increase.

If you have any concerns that yourself or your child may be displaying signs of ADHD, please do not be afraid to talk to your GP so that the right diagnosis and treatment can be received. You can find out more about ADHD Awareness Month here: https://adhdawarenessmonth.org/