ADHD, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, is a mental health disorder that affects more than 4% of the entire adult population in the US. While it is well-known, most people don’t know the full truth about this disorder and the struggles the people who suffer with it go through. But this is hopefully changing thanks to October being known as ADHD Awareness Month. This cause aims at driving more awareness by educating the public about ADHD by “disseminating reliable information based on the evidence of science and peer-reviewed research”.

Symptoms of ADHD consists of a combination of difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity and other impulsive behaviors. Normally, adults who suffer from ADHD have difficulty focusing or prioritizing things, leading to missed deadlines and plans more than hyperactivity. They also suffer from the inability to control various impulses, such as impatience or mood swings. Other symptoms for adults arise in the form of: disorganization, trouble multitasking, excessive activity or restlessness, poor planning and more.

Many of you may have experienced one or more of these symptoms in your life, though a full diagnosis only occurs when these symptoms are so severe that they cause ongoing problems in your life. If you or a loved one believe you may have ADHD and feel like you could handle symptoms such as these and live a normal life, it is usually not the case. For those living with untreated ADHD, they can find difficulties such as these in their lives: poor performance at school/work, trouble with the law, drug/alcohol abuse, unstable personal relationships, frequent car accidents, poor physical/mental health and other issues.

If you or someone you know who may be living with ADHD, there are a few ways you can help:

• Make sure you’re getting sleep! Some people can see an increase in symptoms when they don’t get a full night’s rest.

• Exercise! This is the most efficient way to help fight the restlessness and hyperactivity of ADHD. Not only can working out help relieve stress, increase your overall mood and clear your head, it also works off any excess energy/aggression that would otherwise be harmful.

• Work at cutting out distractions! Don’t be afraid to let your colleagues know that you need to stay focused on your work. Try keeping your cellphone on silent and stored in a drawer as well to really avoid any possible distractions.

• Organization and prioritization are key! Making sure you or your loved one has everything they need in order and have a set schedule. Be sure to set reminders for yourself as well! This can help keep you on track and minimize the chances of forgetting something important.

• Most importantly, recognize that you or your loved one has a disorder. ADHD does not mean you are lazy, uncreative or unintelligent and it is important to know that there are steps you can take to help manage symptoms.

Apart from these tips, treat can vary based on the individual and your physician’s recommendations. However, if you are concerned that you or your child may be showing signs of ADHD contact your physician right away. You can also learn more about ADHD Awareness Month and ways to help you or someone you know with ADHD by visiting their website. Most importantly, remember the 3 main ways that ADHD Awareness Month recommends for someone who is affected by ADHD: seek assessment, get appropriate treatment and share information/resources so someone else can get the treatment they need.