National ADHD Awareness Month Archives

October is ADHD Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness, challenging stigma, and celebrating the unique strengths that often come with a neurodivergent brain.

Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental health disorder that includes a combination of persistent problems, such as difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior. Adult ADHD can lead to unstable relationships, poor work or school performance, low self-esteem, and other problems.

Some people with ADHD have fewer symptoms as they age, but some adults continue to have major symptoms that interfere with daily functioning. Adult ADHD symptoms include:

Impulsiveness
Disorganization and problems prioritizing
Poor time management skills
Problems focusing on a task
Trouble multitasking
Excessive activity or restlessness
Poor planning
Low frustration tolerance
Frequent mood swings
Problems following through and completing tasks
Hot temper
Trouble coping with stress

Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Many adults with ADHD aren’t aware they have it.

The exact cause of ADHD is not clear, but research efforts continue. Factors that may be involved in the development of ADHD include:

Genetics
Environment
Problems during development

Factors that may increase the risk of ADHD may include:

You have blood relatives, such as a parent or sibling, with ADHD or another mental health disorder
Your mother smoked, drank alcohol, or used drugs during pregnancy
As a child, you were exposed to environmental toxins such as lead, found mainly in paint and pipes in older buildings
You were born prematurely

Signs and symptoms of ADHD in adults can be difficult to spot. However, the core symptoms of ADHD start early in life, before the age of 12, continuing into adulthood, creating major problems.

There is no single test that can confirm an ADHD diagnosis. A diagnosis will likely include:

A physical exam
Questions about your current medical issues, personal and family medical history, and the history of your symptoms
ADHD rating scales or psychological tests

Standard treatments for ADHD in adults typically involve medication, education, skills training, and psychological counseling. A combination of these is often the most effective treatment as they can help manage many symptoms of ADHD, but they won’t cure it.

If you need the assistance and support of a mental health professional at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-5575 to schedule an appointment.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in the United States among children, affecting nearly 10% of all children between the ages of 3 and 17. It can also occur in adults, affecting up to about 5% of all adults in the United States.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), doctors must determine if a patient’s symptoms demonstrate a clear pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity to diagnose ADHD. For children, six or more of these symptoms must remain consistent for at least six months; for adults, only five symptoms need to present in this manner to provide a diagnosis.

Some common symptoms of inattention that doctors may take into consideration when diagnosing ADHD include:

Failure to pay close attention to tasks during school, work, or other activities
Difficulty holding attention on tasks or play activities
Failure to listen when spoken to directly
Failure to follow through on instructions for schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace
Frequent trouble organizing tasks and activities
Avoidance, dislike, or reluctance to do tasks that require mental effort over a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework)
Frequently losing things necessary for tasks and activities
Often easily distracted
Often forgetful in daily activities

Symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity, on the other hand, often display persistent, excessively high energy levels in a variety of settings and activities. Some of these symptoms include:

Frequent fidgeting with or tapping hands or feet, or squirming in seat
Frequently leaving seat in situations when remaining seated is expected
Often running about or climbing in situations where it is not appropriate (adolescents or adults may just feel restless)
Inability to play or take part in leisure activities quietly
Excessive talking
Blurting out an answer before a question has been completed
Impatience
Often interrupting or intruding on others

Several symptoms from either of these categories need to have been present before the age of 12 and in two or more settings (such as at work, school, or home). There also needs to be clear evidence that these symptoms are disrupting the individual’s normal functions in school, work, or social settings, and that the symptoms are not better explained by another mental disorder.

Whether you’re an adult with symptoms of ADHD or the parent of a child presenting these symptoms, it’s essential to begin working with a doctor to get the medical care needed to manage these symptoms and reduce their disruptions to daily life as much as possible. You can schedule an appointment for diagnosis and treatment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 206-7001.