ADHD will always be challenging, but on the other hand, it is the best time ever for those with the diagnosis to build dynamic, happy lives because the science and psychology have evolved dramatically in recent years. The evidence base for treatment is stronger, the psychotherapies are more nuanced, and the stigma has diminished with a cultural embrace of neurodiversity and wider understanding, overall. Today, we see ADHD diagnosed widely not just in children and teens, but also in adults—even senior citizens. Especially notable is the tsunami of ADHD women finally getting the help they need. While only a quarter of children diagnosed with ADHD are girls, by adulthood females comprise 50% of the ADHD population. The reason for this lag is that girls present not just more quietly than boys but also differently; it is a new day for girls and women, and the female presentation of ADHD is something we cover here. Based on interviews with renowned researchers and thought leaders, we also cover the the large population of newly-diagnosed adult males, the many subthreshold individuals who flicker in and out of symptomatology, and how to tap a host of lifestyle and coaching strategies that went unrecognized in the past. As a bonus, we devote a full quarter of the issue to the newly-embraced ADHD “superpowers”: Hyperfocus, creativity, imagination, divergent thinking and energy, profiling those who have managed to harness these talents to build wonderful, fulfilling lives based on their neurodivergent gifts.
The ABCs of ADHD • RECOGNIZING THE SYMPTOMS AND TRAITS ACROSS LIFE STAGES AND GENDERS.
A Better World for ADHD • THE SCIENCE HAS MATURED, THERAPIES ARE NOW E VIDENCE-BASED AND A HOST OF HELPFUL STRATEGIES ALLOW PEOPLE TO THRIVE WITH THEIR NEURODIVERGENT BRAINS.
When it’s not just ADHD • ADHD often does not show up alone. According to CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), more than two-thirds have at least one other coexisting condition. Here are some stats:
IT TAKES A TEAM • How to help your child overcome the challenges and ride their strengths
Recognizing ADHD
Be a Cheerleader
By the Numbers • PERCENT OF CHILDREN AGES 5-17 YE ARS EVER DIAGNOSED WITH ATTENTION-DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY DISOR DER, BY AGE GROUP AND SE X: UNITED STATES, 2020—2022
When You’re Grown • RUSSELL R AMSAY, PH.D., ONE OF THE WORLD’S TOP E XPERTS ON ADULT ADHD, EXPL AINS HOW TO NAVIGATE EVERY THING FROM SEEKING A DIAGNOSIS TO MODIF YING THE WORK ENVIRONMENT.
A New Day for Girls and Women • THE Y HAVE A DIFFERENT PRESENTATION AND A HOST OF SYMPTOMS WE ARE JUST STARTING TO DISCOVER.
THE HYPERCON NECTED MIND • WE ARE ONE STEP C LOS ER TO UNDERSTANDING THE ALTERNATE WIRING OF THE ADHD BRAIN.
Treatments and Therapies • FROM MEDICATION TO COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL TECHNIQUES, EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACHES CAN ALLEVIATE SYMPTOMS AND HELP YOU FUNCTION FROM DAY TO DAY.
What You Need To Know About the Meds • HOW THE Y WORK, HOW DOC TORS TRE AT AND DE ALING WITH THE SIDE EFFECTS AND SHORTAGES
Side Effects • Even when the stimulant medications work well, they can cause these problems:
Expanding Choice • In the earliest days of the diagnosis, a limited choice of drugs (and therapeutic insight) left many out in the cold. Today, increased sophistication and a growing pharmacopia provide better help.
Types Of Medicine • THREE CATEGORIES OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS ARE GENERALLY USED FOR ADHD, INCLUDING:
THE ADHD DIET • Can changing your nutritional regimen help you manage symptoms?
8 THERAPIES BACKED BY SCIENCE • From music to play to cognitive strategies, evidence-based techniques developed by psychologists can make a big difference in managing your symptoms. We asked the experts where to start.
Finding the Best...