ADHD is a common disorder

ADHD is a common disorder that affects a large portion of the population, affecting both adults and children. Though the average age for diagnosis is seven years old, ADHD diagnosis can happen at any age. 6.1 percent of American children are currently being treated for ADHD with medication, with 1 out of 5 of these children treated with counseling as well.^[1] With such high numbers of cases, there are still a majority of people who believe that ADHD does not exist. If so many adults and children show symptoms of the disorder, how can this be? One also has to take into account the causes of ADHD. While the cause of ADHD is still unknown, several factors are proven to affect the number of people diagnosed. Males are three times more likely to have ADHD than females, and children living in poverty are more likely to develop the disorder. Other causes may be linked to brain injury, alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy, as well as premature delivery.^[2] ADHD also exists alongside other conditions. Bipolar, anxiety, depression, learning disabilities, and Tourette’s syndrome are all disorders that commonly co-exist with ADHD. To say that someone does not have the disorder, or that ADHD merely doesn’t exist, can be seen as neglectful or insensitive to others’ conditions. ADHD is becoming more commonly diagnosed and should not be stigmatized. Treatments have been proven to work, as many adults and children continue to live normal, healthy lives.