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Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is extremely common and has worked its way into our cultural headspace. Roughly 1/10 humans struggle with it, according to ADDitude Magazine.

Almost everyone has experienced it directly or indirectly. When was the last time you heard, “I’ve been on this page for 10 minutes; I’m so ADD,” or “I forgot my keys in my dorm again; I feel so ADD this week?” Almost everyone experiences symptoms of the common disorder, but there is a distinct line between a behavioral issue and an ADHD diagnosis. 

For Trevor Schmidt, a foreign language consultant at Principal Financial, ADHD is more than a bi-weekly feeling or a specific moment. His diagnosis is a consistent life hurdle. 

“I would concentrate on something for too much time, or there would be other times where I just couldn’t stay on task at all,” Schmidt said. 

Schmidt was diagnosed with ADHD in elementary school and has learned to live with it. 

At an early age, his disorder caused him to struggle socially and academically. 

“The hyperactive part made it difficult to function,” Schmidt said. “Especially on things that didn’t grab my interest or engage my brain right away.”

“If you struggle with ADHD, it’s best to know your behavioral triggers and put yourself in an environment to succeed.”

-Catherine Strahan

Because most can relate to symptoms of ADHD such as forgetfulness and short attention, it is a loosely used term. 

“I don’t have ADHD, but (with) the people I’ve been around, it’s hard to tell who’s joking and who isn’t because a lot of people joke about it,” said Anna Liska, a student in social work at Grand View. “I imagine that’s frustrating for people who actually struggle with a disorder.” 

Even though ADHD might not be life-threatening, Liska said she believes it should be classified with anxiety, OCD, depression and similar disorders.  

ADHD is a consequential diagnosis that requires some degree of professional attention. Self-diagnosis can be dangerous. While self-diagnosing can be convenient, it leaves room for inaccuracies and subsequently an incorrect treatment. 

“A lot is going on in an ADHD mind, and it’s interesting to understand what’s actually happening when somebody is diagnosed,” said Dr. Dale Grunewald, doctor of osteopathic medicine at Jordan Creek Family Medicine. 

This is a result of low neurotransmitters in areas of the brain mainly responsible for controlling organization, attention, and execution. 

“Most people would hear 2+2 and quickly think 4. Someone with an attention disorder may hear that and guess 3, 4 or 5 because these functions are moving at a slower pace, ADHD individuals resort to a quicker option: to guess,” Grunewald said. “Because neurotransmitters are firing at a slower rate, we give them (patients) speed,” Grunewald said.

Additionally, Grunewald said emotional impulsivity and mood swings are traits of an ADHD brain. They have significantly lower levels of dopamine, the chemical that controls the brain’s reward and motivator signals.

Speed and other amphetamines are used as stimulants to the nervous system. 

“That actually increases those synapses to normal,” Grunewald said.

Doctors will often prescribe amphetamines like Adderall or Methylphenidate Ritalin to balance ADHD’s effect, which has raised concerns regarding medicating children with a diagnosis. 

Liska said she feels hesitant about altering a child’s behavior through prescription drugs. She suggests beginning treatment with behavioral therapy or similar practices. 

These drugs have been proven as an effective treatment; however, Grunewald made clear that there is a process of checks and balances before he allows patients near any prescription. First, for any patient under 16 he will send to a pediatrics facility where they will likely receive behavioral therapy and healthful brain exercises. 

For adults, Grunewald said, “I have a sheet they can look at, and it’s a series of about 20 questions that’ll find out different things about their diagnosis. Then I’ll ask questions based on that.” 

Medication is a last resort for those struggling with ADHD. Doctors begin treatment with different types of therapy.

“If you struggle with ADHD, it’s best to know your behavioral triggers and put yourself in an environment to succeed,” said Catherine Strahan, GV’s nurse. 

Normal environments can often be very distracting: someone clicking their pen in a classroom or a computer beeping in the library. Strahan said she tracks those things down before moving forward to a prescription.

For students, many schools and universities offer accommodations like longer testing times and other necessary resources for people who are easily distracted. Adults can also attend therapy that will focus on different parts of their brain to exercise their attention span. 

Schmidt said his experience in therapy impacted every aspect of his life; career, education, social life and mental health. 

“If it’s too hard, I’d want to give up in a sense,” Schmidt said. “We’d just do things to trigger my mind and work through the problems. Things like puzzles and memory games.”

Accommodations, consultation and therapy are all highly recommended remedies for ADHD. 

“What’s important is that each individual is unique in their treatment or management of ADHD and how it affects them,” said Megen Johnson, GV’s director of disability services.