What Is ADHD?
Understanding ADHD: A Lifelong Condition
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects a person’s ability to pay attention, control impulses, and sometimes manage hyperactivity. Often emerging in childhood, it persists into adulthood for many individuals. Approximately 2-3% of adults and 8% of children worldwide have ADHD. Contrary to popular belief, ADHD is not just about hyperactivity; it encompasses various presentations, including inattention and impulsivity.
What’s Happening In the Brain with ADHD?
Common Signs and Symptoms in Daily Life
ADHD affects various aspects of life, often causing significant disruptions at school, work, and in personal relationships. Children with ADHD may struggle academically, finding it hard to concentrate or follow instructions in class. This often leads to underachievement, despite potential high intelligence.
Adults, on the other hand, might find maintaining job performance, relationships, and household responsibilities particularly difficult. Forgetting appointments, losing keys, and procrastinating on important tasks are typical challenges. Many people with ADHD also experience low self-esteem, often stemming from years of criticism and failure to meet expectations.
Why ADHD may be missed
Diagnosing ADHD
To be diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms must have been present before the age of 12 and cause significant impairment in more than one setting (e.g., at school, home, or work). The diagnostic process involves ruling out other conditions that can mimic ADHD symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, or sleep disorders.
The Impact of ADHD on Everyday Functioning
Untreated ADHD can cause long-term problems in nearly every area of life. Children may be labelled as “troublemakers” or underachievers in school. As they grow older, adults with ADHD often face difficulties in maintaining jobs, managing finances, and sustaining relationships.
Individuals with ADHD are more prone to impulsive behaviours, which can lead to risky decisions such as substance misuse, poor financial management, and unhealthy relationships. Additionally, many struggle with chronic sleep problems, which only exacerbate their symptoms.
Living with ADHD: Strengths and Challenges
Although ADHD presents numerous challenges, many individuals with ADHD also possess unique strengths. People with ADHD tend to be highly creative, energetic, and excellent problem solvers. They often excel in fields that require quick thinking and adaptability, such as the arts, entrepreneurship, and emergency response roles. When diagnosed and treated appropriately, individuals with ADHD can lead highly successful and fulfilling lives.
