October is ADHD Awareness Month: Here’s What You Should Know

October marks Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Awareness Month, and in honor of that, our team is here to break down misconceptions and better understand a condition that affects 7 million American children and 15.5 million adults. 

Whether you or someone you love has ADHD, this is the perfect opportunity to learn how awareness and understanding can make a big difference.

What is ADHD?

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that impacts your attention, focus, organization, and impulse control. 

ADHD affects your executive function skills. Your executive function skills refer to the mental processes that help you plan, organize, manage time, remember details, and regulate your emotions.

While it’s often diagnosed in childhood, ADHD can (and does) continue into adulthood.

ADHD symptoms

Because your executive function skills are affected by ADHD, you may struggle with starting or completing tasks, keeping track of your responsibilities (or personal items!), managing frustration, and staying focused, even when you genuinely want to.

Depending on what symptoms you have, your ADHD is further described as inattentive, hyperactive, or a combination of the two.

Your exact symptoms can vary depending on your age, the type of ADHD you have, and even your gender. For example, research published in the The Journal of Attention Disorders shows that women and girls tend to exhibit inattentive ADHD symptoms more than boys and men.

ADHD testing

Our team diagnoses ADHD through a comprehensive evaluation that looks at your behavior, attention, and activity levels across different settings. We often use interviews, questionnaires, and input from family or teachers to get a full picture. 

ADHD treatments

When you think about ADHD treatments, you might jump to medications. While medication is just one piece of the puzzle, ADHD treatment isn’t just about medication.  

Behavioral strategies, coaching, nutrition, and environmental adjustments can make a big difference. These can help you stay on track and reduce stress. When combined with therapy or coaching, these approaches help you harness your strengths and manage challenges effectively.

Why ADHD awareness matters

Without awareness, ADHD myths can spread quickly. It’s a common misconception that ADHD is simply just being hyperactive or fidgety, but the reality is that ADHD is more than just being “distracted” or “hyper.” 

ADHD is a complex condition rooted in brain chemistry and executive functioning. Awareness helps you:

Get the treatment you need

By increasing awareness about ADHD, it’s our goal to help reduce stigma, promote early diagnosis, and encourage more people to seek the support they need. 

Getting the right support for ADHD can help you learn to overcome challenges that impact your work and home life.

Identify any occurring conditions

The more you understand ADHD, the better you can recognize how it may impact other areas of your mental health. For instance, an estimated 78% of children who have ADHD have at least one other condition, such as anxiety or depression.

In other words, ADHD symptoms can overlap with anxiety, depression, or learning differences, so getting a proper diagnosis can also help identify any comorbid (co-occurring) conditions. 

Identify your unique strengths

When left untreated, ADHD can affect school, work, and relationships. You might struggle to meet deadlines or arrive on time to social events. 

The good news, though, is that with the right tools and strategies, you can thrive. 

When you learn to manage ADHD, you can learn to harness unique strengths. People with ADHD may experience strengths, such as increased creativity, adaptability, energy, and the ability to think outside the box.

Our team can help you adopt strategies to manage executive function challenges and leverage these strengths to succeed in school, work, and everyday life.

Break the stigma about ADHD

Raising awareness about ADHD helps people understand that it’s a neurological condition, not a sign of laziness or lack of effort. Recognizing the signs and seeking support allows people to access treatments that improve focus, organization, and their quality of life without shame.

Signs you shouldn’t ignore

If you experience persistent challenges with focus, organization, or managing emotions, or if daily tasks feel overwhelming despite your best efforts, it may be time to speak with a mental health professional here at Body & Mind Consulting. 

What to do if you spot the signs of ADHD 

At Body & Mind Consulting, we take a compassionate, evidence-based approach to ADHD care. Our team offers personalized assessments and therapy to help you or your child improve focus, manage emotions, and build confidence.

To begin the ADHD assessment process, please contact our office in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, to schedule an appointment. You can also reach us by phone at 615-310-1491. You can also fill out our quick ADHD Screener.