When ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is mentioned, most people immediately think of an extremely active, inattentive, hyperactive little boy with behavioral problems – this image has been prevalent for a long time, and in fact, scientific literature also describes what a typical ADHD child looks like.
Statistics show that boys are indeed diagnosed more often (14.5 percent) than girls (8 percent), but we now suspect that, besides the actual incidence, this may also be due to the different manifestations of symptoms, as boys and girls, men and women do not always show the same symptoms of the disorder; for example, hyperactivity is less common in girls.
ADHD diagnosed in adulthood is also becoming increasingly prominent, and overall, the prevalence of the disorder is increasing in all age groups.
Why Are There More and More People With ADHD?
There are many theories as to why the number of ADHD diagnoses has increased. According to some theories, this may be due to the use of digital devices, or previously to audiovisual influences and an increase in the amount of time spent watching cartoons.
Many people suspected that the latter could increase the incidence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children.
However, changes in diet, with high carbohydrate and sugar content, could also be a factor. These are all logical hypotheses, but they have not been conclusively proven.
The flow of information is almost continuous, and we have to pay attention to a lot of things at once, which can be stressful even for a healthy adult brain. Sometimes it’s good to take a break with games from Lemon Casino, for example.
The amount of information that floods us every day has simply become uncontrollable. With three clicks, we can watch ten hours of a TV series or play for ten hours at Lemon Casino, which is obviously a bit too much.
For those with ADHD who are unable to structure information properly, this will cause even greater problems.
Understanding ADHD in Adults: Male vs. Female Symptoms
Fourteen percent of adults with ADHD remain undiagnosed, with more women than men affected. The reason for this can be found in the differences in symptoms: women tend to suffer more from inattention than hyperactivity in adulthood, and they are characterized by low self-esteem and self-confidence.
ADHD causes difficulties in their personal relationships, they are anxious, and they are more likely to develop coping strategies that mask the symptoms of ADHD.
Many young women develop ADHD symptoms when they have children, which is why we suddenly diagnose many more women in adulthood, as they reach the clinical threshold. Symptoms related to emotional regulation problems, which we refer to as emotional dysregulation, are also becoming increasingly prominent.
Problems with controlling emotions often appear in childhood, but manifest themselves differently in adulthood. This can cause very serious problems in human relationships.
Pregnancy and Motherhood
There are more risk factors during pregnancy. In addition, the interaction of hormones has a strong influence on the lives of women with ADHD because dopamine and estrogen are linked. Those affected are more sensitive to changes in estrogen levels, so as estrogen decreases, ADHD symptoms become more severe.
This happens every month before menstruation and immediately after pregnancy, which is why mothers with ADHD are much more likely to suffer from postpartum depression. This is especially true since the body experiences regulatory disturbances after childbirth anyway.
This is why it is important for gynecologists, midwives, and health visitors to be aware of the specific support that mothers with ADHD need during and after pregnancy and childbirth.
What’s Up With Men?
It is difficult for everyone in different ways, including men. The symptoms also cause them a lot of stress and suffering.
It is precisely because of their “externalizing” behavior (behavior that primarily affects the person’s environment) that they get into more conflicts, which often cost them their jobs, for example.
The Brighter Side: The Strengths of People with ADHD
Since their thoughts are not guided by priorities, they are extremely associative. And because their brain’s stimulus filter is operating in reduced mode, they react very quickly, and their diverse and interconnected thoughts make them very creative.
They notice changes that others don’t, they are spontaneous, imaginative, and curious. They are easier to motivate than others. And yes, impulsiveness is basically a good thing. These are all skills that can come in handy on the Lemon Casino website.
Besides all that, let’s not forget that most people cannot pay attention and concentrate all the time, but ADHD is not a lack of attention, rather a disorder of attention control.
After all, those affected can concentrate amazingly well when they are hyperfocused, but they are unable to shift and focus their attention adequately.