My father had ADHD and being a teen in his days must have been horrible, the medication of choice was tranquilizers. He wasn’t diagnosed until he was a teen but the minute he moved out he stopped the medication and I can see why. The issue is he didn’t go back to the doctor as medication evolved and it affected his relationships.
I also believe that doctors are too fast to diagnose ADD & ADHD. One important factor is that Medical doctors don’t have the training to diagnose and are often the ones who diagnose first. To have a proper diagnosis, you need a Psychiatrist, and do the testing for an official diagnosis. My last Psychiatrist listed me as ADHD, with no testing, and no conversation, it just showed up on my chart. I would not be ashamed if that was a proper diagnosis but it wasn’t. My proir Psychiatrist of 32 years never once mentioned it. It’s one of the reasons I no longer see my last Psychiatrist.
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Every October is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Awareness Month, an occasion to raise awareness and support for those with ADHD.
In the United States, about 8.4% of children and 2.5% of adults have ADHD, making it one of the most common mental health conditions. Symptoms of the condition include ongoing patterns of:
Hyperactivity, which is when a person may feel the need to move constantly, even when it may be inappropriate for the situation.
Impulsivity, which means the person may have difficulties managing impulsive behavior and considering the long-term consequences of those actions.
Many people may have occasional difficulties paying attention, sitting still, or managing impulsive behavior. But for someone with ADHD, these difficulties tend to occur more often, which may affect how they perform certain daily activities.
During ADHD Awareness Month, communities shed light on this condition and rally to support those who have received diagnoses.
This information from the National Institute of Health has great resources and there may be more that I didn’t read on another page.
Where can I learn more about ADHD?
Free brochures and shareable resources
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: What You Need to Know: This brochure provides information about ADHD in children, teens, and adults, including symptoms, diagnosis, causes, treatments, and resources to find help for you or your child (also available en español).
- ADHD in Adults: 4 Things to Know: This fact sheet provides information about ADHD in adults, including symptoms, diagnosis, causes, treatments, and resources to find help for yourself or someone else.
- Shareable Resources on ADHD: These digital resources, including graphics and messages, can be used to spread the word about ADHD and help promote awareness and education in your community.
Multimedia
- Mental Health Minute: ADHD: Watch this short video to learn about ADHD.
- NIMH Expert Discusses Managing ADHD: Learn the signs and symptoms of ADHD and how it is treated as well as tips for helping children and teens manage ADHD symptoms.
Federal resources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) : The CDC offers fact sheets, infographics, and other resources about the signs, symptoms, and treatment of ADHD in children.
- MedlinePlus : This resource from the National Library of Medicine provides information, research, and resources on ADHD and ways to learn more (also available en español ).
Research and statistics
- Journal Articles : References and abstracts from the National Library of Medicine’s PubMed
- Statistics—ADHD: Statistics on the prevalence and treatment of ADHD among children, teens, and adults
Last Reviewed: September 2024
There is so much information available so don’t put off learning about ADHD, it could help direct your child or yourself to the proper help.
Melinda
Reference:
https://www.healthline.com/health/adhd-awareness-month#history
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lookingforthelight.blog 
I don’t have ADHD but I know people who do! It is a tough diagnosis to have!
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Yes, it is.
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Most of my family has attention deficit. That’s probably why we all speak at the same time and are constantly on the move. Great post, as always, Melinda.
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Thank you.
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