Introduction to ADHD

Figure 1.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a chronic neurodevelopmental which affects 4-6% of adults and 5-7% of children in Canada (About ADHD, 2023). It affects approximately 1.8 million Canadians or 1 of every 21 people in Canada (About ADHD, 2023). While the exact cause of ADHD is not clear, research can pinpoint that ADHD is highly hereditary with a height of 75% (About ADHD, 2023). Without treatment, ADHD can impact various aspects of people’s lives such as their social life, financial goals, romantic relationships, and their success in school and work (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), 2021).

I was officially diagnosed with ADHD when I was 15, but I always knew prior to my diagnosis that something was different about me. I had the classic tell-tale signs that I had ADHD since childhood such as my report cards always mentioning that I was easily distracted and had a hard time staying focused. But despite these signs and many more, my ADHD went unrecognized. The reason why my ADHD went undiagnosed is due to a concept called the "ADHD Iceberg" (as seen in Figure 2). Clinicians commonly describe ADHD as an iceberg because most of the symptoms lay under the surface, out of sight but still very present (ADDitude Editors, 2019).

Figure 2.

When I was finally diagnosed, everything made more sense. The symptoms that I dealt with on a daily basis were almost non-existent with medication. In fact, I remember the first time that I took my medication I was ecstatic with the fact that I could finally think in my head rather than blurting out every thought I had and I had no brain fog. It was only when I started explaining these great effects that medication had on me to people that I truly realized how much I was struggling before. With my diagnosis, I not only got the medication I desperately needed but I was able to get access to behavioral therapy and support from school (e.g. distraction-reduced room to write my exams).

However, despite the therapy, medication, and school support, I still struggle with several other aspects of my life, such as...

Figure 3.

• Budgeting

• Maintaining healthy relationships

• Sustaining an active lifestyle

• Eating healthy

• Managing emotions

• Keeping up with school and deadlines

• And more!

While everyone struggles with these aspects of their life, people with ADHD struggle with them to a greater degree. For me, I had to do countless hours of research to find strategies that helped me with these problems; for some of them, I am still looking for strategies/solutions that work for me! Therefore, I chose to make this blog as a way to help other fellow ADHDers to share the tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way as well as to share any new and interesting research about ADHD.

References:

About ADHD. (2023). CADDAC. Retrieved September 14, 2023 from https://caddac.ca/about-adhd/#:~:text=Attention%20Deficit%20Hyperactivity%20Disorder%20(ADHD,or%20approximately%201.8%20million%20Canadians.

ADDitude Editors. (2019). What is ADHD? Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adults. ADDitude. Retrieved September 14, 2023 from https://www.additudemag.com/what-is-adhd-symptoms-causes-treatments/

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) (2021). HealthLink BC. Retrieved from September 14, 2023 from https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd

Figure 1. ourlifelooklikeballoon. (n.d.). Book [Clip Art]. Canva. Accessed September 20, 2023, https://www.canva.com/

Figure 2. Mandriota, M. (2022, March 11). The ADHD Iceberg: What It Looks Like. Psych Central. Accessed September 20, 2023, https://psychcentral.com/adhd/the-adhd-iceberg#definition

Figure 3. Зображення користувача Flash. (n.d.). Relationship Problems and Difficulties [Clip Art]. Canva. Accessed September 20, 2023, https://www.canva.com/