When we think about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), we may imagine children who bounce off the walls, can’t sit still and their haggard parents just trying to keep up. But ADHD is far more nuanced than this, and, despite its name, can present with no hyperactivity. It can affect children and adults, and can sometimes be misidentified as another mental disorder, like anxiety or depression.
But, just like we’ve talked about with other mental health challenges, chiropractic care can help. Before we talk about that, let’s briefly talk about ADHD and who it affects.
ABOUT ADHD
ADHD really entered the zeitgeist in the 1990s, but it was first identified in 1902 by a British Pediatrician. Still, it wasn’t added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) until the 1980s, then called Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).
Since then, the understanding of ADHD has evolved, and treatment options have expanded. While it seems that diagnoses have soared, it could be more likely that this better understanding has led to better identification of the disorder when it presents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2016 about 6.1 million US children between the ages of 2 and 17 have a diagnosis of ADHD, and this is similar to previous estimates.
But ADHD isn’t just a disorder found in children. While some children will simply outgrow their ADHD, about 60 percent continue to struggle with it into adulthood. Plus, older adults who had the symptoms of ADHD may have never been diagnosed as children, because there simply wasn’t a diagnosis when they were growing up.
SYMPTOMS
In adults, ADHD can present as:
- Disorganization
- Lack of focus
- Inability to prioritize or finish tasks
- Impulsiveness
- Poor time management, and more
For obvious reasons, these symptoms can cause major issues with productivity, at work and at home. People who have ADHD, or the symptoms of it, can find themselves struggling just to keep on top of everything in their lives. This can sometimes lead to depression, further exacerbating the challenges faced.
CHIROPRACTIC AND ADHD
Fortunately, chiropractic care can help. You’ve heard us talk before about the mind-body connection. When your spine is out of alignment, it becomes harder for signals from the brain to travel down the spinal cord and get to the rest of the body. ADHD is a brain-based disorder, so it stands to reason that making sure the spine is in alignment will help with ADHD symptoms.
But you don’t have to take our word for it. According to the nonprofit organization Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) and the National Library of Medicine, early studies show that chiropractic care can improve the symptoms of ADHD.
If you’re experiencing ADHD symptoms, anxiety, depression, pain or mobility challenges, we’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment, and start feeling better!