ADHD Awareness Month: Living With Symptoms And Ending The Stigma

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a developmental disorder characterized by an ongoing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity. According to the official website, the mission of ADHD Awareness Month—which takes place each October—is to educate people about ADHD by disseminating reliable information based on peer-reviewed research. As with many mental health conditions, there is still some level of stigma surrounding ADHD, so cultivating a more accurate, empathetic understanding of this disorder among the public is a key goal.

What is ADHD? 

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder with an overall prevalence of 11% in children and 4.4% in adults. Symptoms can manifest in two main forms—as inattentiveness and difficulty concentrating or as hyperactivity and impulsive behavior—or as a combination of both.

Symptoms related to inattentiveness and difficulty concentrating may include:

• Making seemingly careless mistakes 

• Frequently misplacing items

• Being easily distracted

• Forgetfulness

• Difficulty focusing on a single task

• Difficulty keeping organized

Symptoms related to hyperactivity and impulsive behavior may include:

• Restlessness or fidgeting

• Speaking out of turn

• Excessive talking

• Irritability

• Impulsive/risky behavior

These symptoms can affect an individual’s daily functioning, relationships, and work or school performance. However, treatment is available. It usually consists of medication and/or some form of psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or interpersonal social rhythm therapy. 

Why ADHD Awareness Month is celebrated

The Attention Deficit Disorder Association is a founding member of the ADHD Awareness Month Coalition. Their mission is to educate the public about the disorder and increase awareness for families and young adults about potential symptoms. As people become aware of the signs and symptoms, they can recognize when they may be occurring in themselves or their child so they can seek appropriate treatment. People around the world can unite under a common global goal to combat the stigma that is often still associated with ADHD.

Common but incorrect judgments and misconceptions around ADHD include the belief that people with this disorder are “lazy” or “childish”, that they caused the disorder themselves through unhealthy habits, or even that ADHD doesn't actually exist. While these are all false beliefs, they’re still held by some in the world today and may be harmful to people who do have this mental health condition.

Additionally, there is another somewhat common misconception that ADHD only affects children. This is likely due to the fact that the hyperactivity aspect of the disorder may be more apparent in children than it is in adults. For example, while a child may show signs of hyperactivity by running around the classroom and having trouble following instructions, adult hyperactivity tends to present in ways like general fidgeting, leg bouncing, finger tapping, or rocking instead. Through public education and awareness campaigns, the organizations behind ADHD Awareness Month aim to correct these and other false judgments.

How can you observe ADHD Awareness Month 

Various organizations host events of different kinds to recognize ADHD Awareness Month, which you can learn about on the events page of the Children and Adults With ADHD (CHADD) website. For example, there’s an annual conference where individuals and parents of those with ADHD gather to learn about strategies for managing the disorder day to day. People with ADHD and their supporters can also sign up to do a virtual walk to boost awareness or raise funds for related causes. Year-round, there are also educational materials like videos, podcasts, and online courses anyone can reach through the website linked above to learn more about the disorder.

Seeking support for ADHD symptoms

Again, the way ADHD manifests can vary widely from person to person, but symptoms for some may be disruptive and frustrating. If you suspect you may have ADHD or another mental health condition that’s impacting your daily life, healthcare providers in the ADHD community recommend meeting with a mental health professional for an evaluation.

Many people find therapy to be a useful tool in managing ADHD and other disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy, in particular, is commonly recommended because it’s based on helping an individual learn to recognize and shift flawed or distorted thought patterns. These patterns can occur especially when a person faces challenges in school, work, or relationships due to ADHD, and CBT can help them correct these in order to maintain a balanced perspective, a healthy level of self-esteem, and a toolkit of positive coping mechanisms.

When it comes to therapy, both in-person and online options are available. Recent research suggests that both can offer similar benefits in most cases for people experiencing mild to moderate symptoms of mental health conditions. That means you can typically pick the one you prefer if you’re looking for this kind of support. If you’re interested in the convenience of connecting with a therapist from the comfort of home, you might consider online therapy. With a virtual therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can get matched with a licensed therapist who you can meet with via phone, video call, and/or in-app messaging to address the challenges you may be facing—all from home or anywhere else you have an internet connection.

Support groups and other resources

In addition, you can join an ADHD community online or in person. You might find that connecting with others who are experiencing the same struggles can provide support, comfort, and a sense of belonging, as everyone is moving forward with ADHD together. Discussing personal experiences through short videos, discussions, or activities can also help individuals and families come together with a common goal. Support groups can help individuals disseminate information, expand their knowledge, and better manage treatments. They can also be helpful for young boys and girls who may experience ADHD differently in their lives.

The National Resource Center on ADHD (NRC) and related resources can often promote ADHD awareness among adults and children alike. Various resources provide knowledge to patients and families affected, encouraging them to manage the condition with greater confidence and support. Online and in-person platforms not only offer a supportive community but also reinforce an expanded acceptance of ADHD.