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Need to Know
ADHD affects attention, impulse control, and activity levels, which can make everyday life more challenging.
Although many of us struggle to stay focused in our distraction-filled world, there’s a difference between occasional focus issues and living with ADHD.
ADHD can show up differently for different people. Some people have mostly attentional symptoms (such as struggling to focus, being forgetful, and having trouble finishing things), while others have more impulse control and hyperactivity symptoms (such as feeling restless, talking a lot, and interrupting others).
It often happens alongside conditions such as anxiety, depression, or learning challenges, which can make spotting and treating it more complicated.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other conditions can cause symptoms that look like ADHD. A professional diagnosis, typically through formal neuropsychological testing, is key to understanding if someone’s struggles are ADHD or something else.
Treatment is different for everyone and can include specialized therapy (often called cognitive or executive function training), lifestyle changes, and tools such as reminders and routines. Although medication is an option, it’s not the only approach.
Things to Avoid
Don’t minimize ADHD by saying things such as, “I’m so ADHD,” when you’re feeling distracted. It’s a real condition that affects people’s lives.
Avoid making jokes about ADHD symptoms, such as being impulsive or forgetful. It can reinforce harmful stereotypes.
Don’t suggest ADHD is caused by bad parenting or laziness. It’s a neurodevelopmental condition.
Be careful about promoting internet-based diagnostic tools or unproven fixes. Instead, encourage your followers to reach out for professional guidance.
If you’re being treated for ADHD, be careful about mentioning specific medications that others may try to find and take on their own. Instead, talk about the benefits of professional support and your help-seeking process.
Your Opportunity
Use your platform to increase understanding and empathy by highlighting the realities of ADHD and clearing up common misunderstandings.
Share stories of people living with ADHD to show that it’s a manageable condition with the right support and strategies.
Highlight that ADHD can affect anyone, regardless of their background, age, or identity, ensuring those who may not be represented in ADHD content feel seen and understood.
Help your audience understand the difference between ADHD and occasional feelings of being scattered or unfocused, emphasizing that ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition.
Share common ways to focus and eliminate distractions, offering practical strategies that can benefit people with ADHD and others struggling with attention issues.
Remind your audience that supportive friends and family can make a big difference in helping someone with ADHD feel understood and less isolated.
If sharing your own experience with ADHD, emphasize that everyone’s journey is unique, and the strategies that work for you might not work for others — this is why professional guidance is so important.
Provide resources or links to trusted organizations where people can learn more about ADHD and access support.
Resources
Children and Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) →
Find resources, tools, and support for people with ADHD.
ADHD Awareness Month →
Find FAQs, tips, and resources.
Child Mind Institute →
Explore resources and information about ADHD and attention problems.
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