What is ADHD ?

I took medication when I was a kid everyone said I would outgrow it so I stopped taking the medication, In college everything is so hard now I hate math it's so boring. I know I'm bad at it even though my teacher says I'm not I'm a failure. I can't remember to do homework and lose things I kick it. I hate feeling like I'm different but I really am. Work seems like it's easy for everyone else.This was the voice inside my head and everyone with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD.

Countless American children, teenagers, and adults grapple with a disorder that hinders their concentration, attention span, organization, and focus, making their lives more complex. I can attest to this, as I am one of them, having been diagnosed with ADHD at the age of nine. Most children with ADHD start to experience symptoms even earlier. I first recognized my symptoms at school when we started doing projects that required planning, which led to my frequent frustration.

In middle school, I joined the basketball team, but was consistently late for practice. Eventually, my academic performance declined, despite understanding the material, because I would not submit assignments in a timely manner. This prompted my teacher to reach out to my parents. My parents, coach, and teacher subsequently compared notes on my behavior, which led my parents to consult my pediatrician.

ADHD can manifest in three distinct types: inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, and combined. My symptoms were predominantly of the inattentive type. I frequently lost or forgot things, struggled to complete homework on time, and had difficulty organizing my work for projects and future assignments. Initially, my parents suspected I might have a hearing problem, as I often appeared unresponsive when they spoke to me.

Other children also exhibit similar struggles, such as difficulty focusing in class, appearing highly distracted at home and school, and lacking attention to detail in areas they find uninteresting. Children with more hyperactive or impulsive symptoms struggle with patience, often leaving their seats during class, running around at inappropriate times, talking incessantly, interrupting others, and blurting out answers. These behaviors may lead others to perceive them as uncaring or disrespectful, but in reality, they do care. Their inattentive or impulsive behavior is a result of their attention issues.

While some people may exhibit inattentive symptoms and others hyperactive-impulsive symptoms, there are also those who display symptoms of both types, known as the combined type. If an individual displays six symptoms from either of the first two types, or a combination adding up to six, they fit the diagnosis of ADHD.

Although ADHD is most commonly diagnosed in children, nearly all of them continue to experience symptoms into their teenage years, and a significant portion still struggle with symptoms as adults. Only a small group outgrows it. The key takeaway is that ADHD treatment is effective. For younger children, behavior therapy that involves their parents is beneficial, enabling the entire family to participate in the solution. For school-aged children and older individuals, the best course of treatment often involves medication or a combination of medication and therapy.

In my case, I underwent behavior therapy where I acquired skills such as time management and organization techniques, which were beneficial at school and in sports. I also took a stimulant medication to help me focus. Some people find non-stimulant medications particularly helpful, especially younger children. For most people, ADHD medications are effective in enhancing their focus and reducing distractions.

ADHD poses a significant challenge for children, teenagers, and adults who struggle to maintain attention and focus in various aspects of their lives. However, there is hope. Treatment is effective, and with therapy and medication, I learned what I needed to do to succeed at school. Despite the challenges of ADHD, individuals can excel in school and in their careers. I am a testament to this.