ADHD, a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting 6 million children and 10 million adults, continues to be misunderstood and misconstrued. The organization ADHD Awareness Month lists 7 facts to help raise awareness on this disorder.

1. 7 ADHD FACTS
TO HELP RAISE AWARENESS
WHAT IS ADHD?
The organization ADHD Awareness Month lists 7facts to help raise awareness on this disorder
ADHD, a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting 6 million children and 10 million adults, continues to be
misunderstood and misconstrued. Marked by an ongoing pattern of chronic inattention and/or
hyperactivity-impulsivity which interferes with daily life functions and development, symptoms become
apparent in early development (9.6% of children between 6-11 years old), up until adulthood. The
persistence of ADHD as adults affect social relationships, academic work and professional performance.
ADHD is REAL
It is a real, brain-based medical disorder affecting both
children and adults worldwide
AHDH is a common, non-discriminatory disorder
Every age bracket, gender, religious or socio-economic background,
and IQ, have been diagnosed with ADHD. ADHD, AD/HD, and ADD
all refer to the same disorder. The only difference is that
some people have hyperactivity
and some people don’t.
ADHD Diagnosis entails a complex process
Diagnosing ADHD is not an easy process, since a person must exhibit a
large number of symptoms, and demonstrate difficulties in daily living in
school, at home or at work. A number of conditions resemble ADHD and
many symptoms seem to be normal behaviors brought by extreme
circumstances. A number of tools and considerations are used by doctors,
together with the behavior and environment; hence, the complex diagnosis.
Alongside ADHD may be other mental health conditions:
Up to 30% of children and 25-40% of adults with ADHD
have a co-existing anxiety disorder.
Experts claim that up to 70% of those with ADHD
will be treated for depression at some point in their lives.
Sleep disorders affect people with ADHD
two to three times as often as those without it.
ADHD is not benign
When left untreated and undiagnosed, ADHD contributes to problems at
school, at work, with relationships, safety, health, and the law. An article
in Medical News Today mentioned that around US$77 billion in lost
income is attributed to ADHD.
No one is to blame for ADHD
Although it is a brain-based disorder, and attributed to genetics, factors
that contribute to having the disorder point to gender, family history,
environmental toxins, prenatal risks, and physical differences in the brain.
ADHD has many treatment options
Most treatments focus on reducing the symptoms and improving
functioning, including medications, therapies, training, and educational
support. For the past years, the use of electroencephalogram (EEG)
using digital therapeutics as brain training solution for attention
disorder has also been carefully studied and used. Neeuro’s Cogoland
is a patented, scientifically validated digital attention training program
that is easily administered and is a fun and interactive game to help
improve children’s attention issues.
TO KNOW MORE
Read more about digital therapeutics as part of a
combined treatment program for attention issues here.