ADHD Awareness Month

The month of October hosted various awareness events throughout the UK.

One which spreads across the whole month is for ADHD awareness. In the past, there has been a reluctance to acknowledge this indiscriminate condition.

Through campaigning and research more people are coming to terms with this condition. This is why I believe it is essential for campaigns like this to have these awareness months to highlight such disorders and improve people’s lives.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorders are often diagnosed in childhood. But that is not always the case. Without awareness, people are indeed not diagnosed until adulthood. The earlier the diagnosis, the better. Around 3-7% of school children are believed to have ADHD in the UK. ADHD includes behavioural symptoms from; inattentiveness, hyperactivity to impulsiveness.

Treatment as an adult is not as simple as for a child. As a GP, I realise there isn’t enough appreciation for such conditions. Untreated ADHD can have big

implications; it can strain relationships, lead to substance abuse and create a higher risk of offending behaviours. Some adults may not realise they had ADHD, and will continue not to know so without awareness being spread. Misdiagnosis in ADHD can cause individuals to be treated for a psychiatric condition instead.

This not only wastes resources and money but can create dangerous results for individuals. I believe that campaigning just like this can indeed change lives and even how society thinks about these conditions. TADD talks are included in this ADHD awareness month which are very important. Every day of the October month there are talks about ADHD.

These talks are 9 minutes long for the purpose of being suitable for those with ADHD (who suffer from shorter attention spans). The more we talk about conditions like ADHD, the better. If ADHD itself wasn’t tough enough, it can also link to other health conditions.

For instance; it can link to anxiety, depression and even cause sleeping problems. Medication is available, but psychiatric consultation is also important. An increase in public awareness can help diagnose those with ADHD and make society more understanding of the condition. In an online article it was stated that it is more likely that US children are diagnosed with ADHD than in the UK. If America can spread the word, so can we.

No condition should be brushed aside and that is why we should take ADHD as seriously as any other condition. Various activities and talks took place during this awareness month, but just because the month is over, doesn’t mean the importance is.