Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Affecting Mental Health in Youth
Journal of Affective Disorders, Nov 2021
What is ADHD and What are the Effects ?
What is ADHD? ADHD stands for “Hyperattention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder”. You may hear it thrown around often in school and amongst friends but does anyone really know what it means beyond “I can't focus.” ADHD is a real disorder that can affect daily lives. When it comes to attention, focusing in class and emotional regulation, ADHD can make all those things feel impossible. Everyone gets jittery and can tap their foot or check their phone too often but ADHD can feel overwhelming and exhausting. It can be compared to a computer that is infected with a virus and feels like it's impossible to be on one tab without millions of ads popping up. ADHD can be consuming and it is important to ask for help when it begins to take over or feel overwhelming. Studies support that children with ADHD are likely to experience more than one disorder at the same time such as depression, anxiety, or substance use. Children who go undiagnosed or maltreated are at an even higher chance of developing substance use or aggressive behavior as they develop into adolescents. Some causes of ADHD could be adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), or traumatic events that occur in childhood that may lead to compromised adolescent emotional and cognitive development.
Benefits of Treatment
There is a significant association between family resilience and family based protective factors for adolescents with ADHD. A study found that those with low family resilience are 1.5 to 3 times more likely to suffer from symptoms related to ADHD than those with regular to high family resilience (Song et al., 2021). Family can be a protective factor to lean on and it is important to be open and honest with the people in our lives. Not everyone is lucky enough to have understanding relatives and sometimes family is not blood related. Sometimes family is the people we choose to have in our lives even when they are not blood related. Opening about your problems can help you feel less on an island and more a part of a village. Resilience is something that everyone is naturally born with and has to be cultivated over time. One should not be expected to develop it on their own and without help which is why it is important to reach out and ask for the help. Help looks different for everybody and treatment for ADHD can not only improve focus but happiness and motivation as well.
Read more here!
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165032721007527
Resource of the Month: The Ali Forney Center
Did you know?
- 80% of LGBTQ+ AFC clients are kicked out of their homes
- 62% of LGBTQ+ youth have considered or attempted suicide
- 60% of AFC clients are African American
- 30% of AFC clients are Latinx
- 40% of New York City homeless youth are LGBTQ+
The Ali Forney Center was founded in 2002 in memory of Ali Forney, a homeless gender-nonconforming youth who was forced to live on the streets, where they were tragically murdered. Committed to saving the lives of LGBTQ+ and at-risk young people, their mission is to protect them from the harms of homelessness and empower them with the tools needed to live independently. AFC’s clients come from all walks of life. More than 80% are kicked out of their homes for being who they are. AFC’s founder, Carl Siciliano, was named a White House Champion of Change by President Obama, citing the wide recognition AFC’s programs have received for their quality and innovation. The Ali Forney Center never closes its doors; it is open 24 hours.
- Proactive outreach
- Drop-in Center for Food, Health and Mental health services
- Emergency Housing
- Resources for Transgender clients
- Education & Job Readiness
- Transitional Housing
307 W 38th St Fl 2
New York, NY 10018
Tel: 212-222-3427 ext. 300
https://www.aliforneycenter.org/
