Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) that goes undiagnosed and untreated can ruin your life and the lives of your loved ones. Every year in October, we commemorate ADHD Awareness Month as a time to reflect on the accomplishments made in ADHD education and advocacy, to highlight the work that remains to be done, and to raise awareness about the need for early diagnosis and treatment. Many children and adults continue to struggle due to a lack of ADHD awareness.
Why Is It So Important to Be Aware of ADHD?
Based on prevalence studies and census data from 2010, it is estimated that over 10 million persons in the United States have ADHD.
1 ADHD is also one of the most frequent pediatric conditions.
2 Despite this, there is a great deal of inaccurate and misleading information regarding the illness on the internet and in the media. There are also people with ADHD who have never been diagnosed yet have problems that are directly related to the symptoms.
Misconceptions About Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
The most common misunderstanding is that ADHD isn’t genuine. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a well-known neurological illness in which a person’s brain grows and works abnormally. 3 There is a substantial body of research on ADHD, and every major medical and health organisation in the United States recognises its validity. Individuals do not choose to experience these symptoms, but it is their obligation to learn how to cope with them.
ADHD is a problem that affects people of all ages and is not caused by inadequate parenting, as is a popular misconception. You can be a great parent or a terrible parent and still have an ADHD child. Good parenting will assist your child in learning to better manage the symptoms, but it will not prevent the onset of ADHD. There is a significant hereditary relationship, and most families can identify other members of their family who have experienced similar symptoms.
How Can You Raise ADHD Awareness?
According to science, the most efficient approach to deal with any sort of stigma is to know someone who has the stigmatised condition. When you have no experience with ADHD, it’s easy to suggest that it’s not real or that it’s caused by poor parenting.
However, if family members learn to state to others, “I have ADHD,” or “A member of my family has ADHD,” it frequently stops people in their tracks and allows for actual conversation. The stigma and misunderstanding will genuinely vanish only when we stop hiding.
