ADHD Facts that you should know

Key Facts About ADHD That Can Change Your Perspective

ADHD is characterized by symptoms like inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Contrary to common misconceptions, ADHD affects both children and adults and can persist throughout a person's life. Recognizing the signs and obtaining a proper diagnosis is crucial for effective management.

Published on
20/12/2022
Updated on
11/06/2023

Written by

Tayler Hackett

Mental Health Writer and ADHD Expert
In this Article
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ADHD Can Affect Driving

ADHD can affect driving behavior

ADHD behavior seems to contribute to a higher rate of crashes among adults. A 2019 study found that through ADHD diagnosis, adolescents with ADHD have a 64% increased risk of a crash after driving for a few weeks. The researchers concluded people with ADHD have better driving habits since treatment than those with untreated ADHD. Methylphenidate is a stimulant that aids in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It's also a powerful neurotransmitter and mild stimulant that has been shown to help with attention.

Methylphenidate is a common drug for ADHD treatment in the US and other countries to help people focus on tasks or activities without impulsivity or hyperactivity, but it can also have negative effects such as abuse potential. This medication treatment has been shown to reduce driving errors by 33% when used correctly based on driving performance tests. However, ADHD prevalence estimates that it can also affect drivers in negative ways by causing them to be easily distracted and experience increased impulsivity.

ADHD can present very differently in girls & women

The female problems are deemed to be getting less attention and more 'outward' than hyperactivated. Symptoms related to emotional distress or anger, preventing them from being seen. "Some girls are underrepresented in admissions for the disease's ADHD treatment center in North Carolina", said a spokesman from the American Psychiatric Association. There is a theory is that female presenters often have more insensitivity. The majority of ADHD diagnoses in kids are boys but research 'confirms' that girls do indeed get ADHD and simply present a different way of displaying these symptoms.

ADHD can occur in adults as well as children

ADHD is more than just a childhood disorder, it could also be present to adults but detecting symptoms differs between them. Although ADHD impacts children more than adults,  adults with ADHD experience a wide range of psychological symptoms and behavioral disorders. Mild ADHD symptoms include impulsivity disorganization, issues prioritizing tasks, frequent depression, verbal aggression, and impulsive feelings. If someone is finding it difficult to follow through with tasks, then this could signal adult ADHD. Severe ADHD or mental illness are often experienced by adults, but sometimes children may be also be affected.

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Genes are the biggest cause of ADHD

Approximately 80% of ADHD sufferers inherited the mental disorder. Scientists do not believe there is only one “ADHD gene.” Indeed, there are several potential ADHD genes and when you combine them with same circumstances, it may lead to symptoms. There's an association between ADHD and genetics with nearly half becoming inherited in the United States alone.

To know more about the relation between ADHD and Genes, check out my article: Is ADHD Hereditary?

Why are women diagnosed with ADHD later than men?

- Girls tend to exhibit attention problems that involve anxiety and depression which leads to a diagnosis for ADHD at a later age compared to boys. Gender differences in ADHD behavior are also associated with the presentation of symptoms.

What causes ADHD?

- ADHD is an inherited mental disorder that can be managed with proper treatment.  ADHD runs in families.  It is believed that ADHD results from a combination of biological factors like genes and the brain's chemistry. It is caused by an abnormality of the brain that results in a decreased ability to control behavior, pay attention or make sound judgments.

Frequently Asked Questions about ADHD:

What are some unknown facts about ADHD?

People who live with ADHD experience emotional extremes, depression, learning disabilities conduct disorders and anxiety impairment. This is because they feel like failures due to their inability to pay attention or follow through on tasks that seem easy for others; you can ease this by helping them rather than blaming them. Through diagnosing ADHD, it is important to know what treatment is needed to take like cognitive behavioral therapy and mental health counseling.

Are people with ADHD smarter?

People with ADHD are often misdiagnosed as having a learning disability or mental illness because ADHD looks like other disorders that have similar symptoms.- Data of parent-reported ADHD diagnosis shows that young adults and children with ADHD may be categorized as "learning disabled" if they do not progress academically at the expected rate; particularly in math and reading comprehension skills. ADHD can range in severity from mild to severe and is often not diagnosed until adulthood when the individual faces academic or occupational challenges.

Who is most affected by ADHD?

Symptoms of ADHD may be seen in individuals from all walks of life, but ADHD symptoms are more common in people who live below the poverty level. Although ADHD affects both genders, it is more common in boys than girls. In the United States alone, ADHD occurs about three times as often in boys than girls and men are four to nine times more likely to have ADHD compared with women.

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