Staying Informed During ADHD Awareness Month

October is ADHD Awareness Month. Similar to OCD (which also takes the stage in October), while many are familiar with the acronym, misconceptions surrounding the disorder are quite common. Here are five things to know about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

1️⃣ ADHD is a developmental disorder marked by persistent symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It’s not a character flaw–it’s biological.

🔗 Source: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-what-you-need-to-know

2️⃣ Approximately 6% of adults have ADHD, which equals roughly 15.5 million people. Around half received the diagnosis in adulthood.

🔗 Source: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7340a1.htm

3️⃣ An estimated 7 million (11.4%) U.S. children aged 3–17 years have been diagnosed with ADHD. According to a 2022 study, nearly 78% of children with ADHD had at least one other co-occurring condition.

🔗 Source: https://www.cdc.gov/adhd/data/index.html

4️⃣ ADHD diagnoses are on the rise. It’s still unclear whether this is due to increased awareness of the condition, improved access to healthcare, changes in how ADHD is defined, or other factors.

🔗 Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/adhd/facts-statistics-infographic#demographics

5️⃣ People with ADHD possess unique strengths. A small 2023 study found four common themes amongst respondents: resilience & growth, creative thinking, pursuit of novelty, and the ability to channel energy towards productivity.

🔗 Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/adhd/benefits-of-adhd#research

But this is just the tip of the iceberg! If you want to learn more about ADHD, click on the button below⬇️🧠