impact

ADHD, like anything else, presents challenges, but among the unique characteristics of ADHD, there are both positive and negative traits. These traits provide benefits, resources, skills and strategies you can use to overcome those challenges.Bio: Duane Gordon is the President of Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA). Gordon lives in Montreal, Canada. An adult with ADHD, Gordon has been a passionate advocate in the ADHD community for over 25 years.

Imagine being misunderstood for your whole life, only popular when you’re silly, totally disenfranchised with school, out of work, you find drinking to excess, or taking illegal drugs make you feel ‘normal’ and you find you can do “normal things.” You are now starting to figure out why so many people with ADHD are in prison.

ADHD negatively impacts numerous domains of health, wellness, and adverse medical conditions, and general life expectancy. These risks are likely to be reduced or mitigated by early and sustained interventions including medications and evidence-based psychosocial treatments.

Having under-managed ADHD in your relationship means angry interactions are likely. But once you understand ADHD better, you can find the love you thought you had lost.

ADHD goes along with other diagnoses over the life span. In childhood, oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder are e.g. frequently occurring with ADHD. In adulthood, mood and anxiety disorders, but also substance use disorders are found most often.

ADHD and sleep problems are intimately intertwined in 80% of children and adults with ADHD during lifetime. The sleep loss results in increased severity of ADHD symptoms, depression, obesity, and chronic diseases in the long term.

Adults with ADHD have unhealthy eating habits, leading to overweight/obesity, with the odds ratio increasing with age. They are also suffering more from eating disorders.

The biggest concerns for adolescents and young adults with ADHD during COVID-19 are social isolation, motivation problems, and difficulties engaging in online work or schooling. These risk factors create a perfect storm for the onset of depression, school dropout, or work underperformance.