Monthly Archives: October 2022

By Autumn Tindal, Undergraduate Intern

October is ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) Awareness Month. ADHD awareness is growing around the world but often people who are not recognized for ADHD are not getting treated which takes a toll on their well-being. It is important to spread the word about what ADHD is and is not so more people can be helped. ADHD can be present in children but also adults. ADHD during childhood can affect their school and social environment. Parents can effectively manage their child’s symptoms, leading to positive outcomes at home and in school. It is important to not forget that adults may also struggle with ADHD which can affect performance at work on in their careers as well as affecting day-to-day responsibilities. The goal of this month is to highlight misunderstandings while providing people with information about ADHD and resources available.

First, I want to talk about some myths about ADHD that may perpetuate stigma

• MYTH: “People with ADHD just can’t concentrate”
  • FACT: Individuals with ADHD can concentrate if the activity they are doing is of interest to them
• MYTH: “ADHD is caused by bad parenting”
  • FACT: The disorder comes from environmental and genetic risk factors
• MYTH: “All children grow out of ADHD”
  • FACT: Symptoms persist in 50-86% of people with ADHD
• MYTH: “Children with ADHD just need more discipline”
  • FACT: Relationship or discipline problems are not the cause of ADHD behavior problems,  they are the consequences of it

As you can see there are some misconceptions out there. Healthcare providers use the guidelines in the APA DSM-5 to help diagnose ADHD. This ensures that people are appropriately diagnosed. People with ADHD show a persistent pattern of inattention and hyperactivity. From the CDC website here is more information about symptoms that may be present.

Inattention symptoms (present for at least 6 months) can include:

• Having trouble holding attention on tasks or activities
• Does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
• Fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace
• Loses things necessary for tasks and activities (pencils, books, keys, paperwork, glasses)
• Trouble organizing tasks and activities; often easily distracted

Hyperactivity symptoms (present for at least 6 months):

• Often fidgets with or taps hands or feet
• Is often “on the go” acting as if “driven by a motor”
• Often talks excessively
• Often has trouble waiting their turn
• Often interrupts on others or intrudes

While almost everyone may have symptoms similar to ADHD it is important to note that ADHD is diagnosed when symptoms are severe enough to cause ongoing problems in your life. ADHD can be managed in adulthood as well as childhood. Here are a few ways to manage ADHD

• Create a routine and schedule
• For parents, give clear, effective directions
• Learn to meditate and practice mindfulness
• Avoid multitasking
• Practice self-compassion
• Break tasks down to smaller steps
• Use alarms and reminders
• Medication

There are so many ways to still live your life if you have ADHD. There are a ton of resources out there with tips and tricks. As a parent, it can be hard to manage the challenges that ADHD presents. Remember that you are not alone and there is help and support out there. I hope this post gave more insight on what ADHD is, how it can affect someone’s life, and ways to manage it.

October is ADHD Awareness month so spread the word and we can reduce the stigma behind it while highlighting the supports available.

**Information obtained from https://www.adhdawarenessmonth.org/ and https://chadd.org/awareness-month/

By Autumn Tindall

Happy October which means it’s Positive Attitude Month! A positive attitude can make a huge difference and provide many lasting physical and psychological health benefits. A positive attitude can make any difficult situation a lot easier to handle. Positive energy can result in greater motivation, better relationships, greater resilience, lower stress levels, and strengthened coping skills.

Of course, life can be stressful and speedbumps will always present themselves. So it’s worth a try to make the best of any given situation.

If you struggle to keep a positive attitude here are a few steps you can take to overcome that.

1. Surround yourself with positive people. It’s easier said then done but when you surround yourself with more upbeat people, you’ll start to think the same way.
2. Give yourself time to breathe and think in a difficult situation.
3. Release unrealistic expectations. Negativity can stem from having unrealistic expectations about yourself or others so remember that nobody is perfect and we all have imperfections.
4. Start a gratitude journal. I did one of these for my positive psych class and it really helped me reflect on all of the good things in my life. Even just writing down one to two things at the end of the day can help.
5. See challenges as growths not failures. With optimism and determination, you can change that “I won’t do good” into a “I got this and can do this” mindset.
6. Treat yourself to self-care. Whether it’s getting your favorite coffee, getting your nails done, listening to music, or whatever your heart desires, don’t forget that self-care is important!
7. Start your morning strong. Starting the day with a bad attitude can lead you to have a negative attitude all day. Think about how you can make your morning the best part of your day. Try reading or mediation, make a home-cooked meal, or put on your favorite music or show.
8. Cherish the little things 😊 Pat yourself on the back for small accomplishments. We are conditioned to think of success as big, but the little things can be just as important as the big things. Find the small stuff in the moment.
9. Try positive affirmations in the morning and/or at night. Here are a few that you can say, “I am kind and brave”. “Today is going to be a great day”. “I am confident in my skills and abilities”. “I will trust the process”. “I am worthy”.
10. Visualize success. Visualize yourself achieving your goals. This can help you maintain a positive attitude in difficult circumstances.

By having a positive attitude, you may notice better work performance, higher optimism, healthier relationships, a stronger self-esteem, and a greater ability to overcome day-to-day challenges. It’s not to say that you have to be bubbly and joyous 24-7, but it can be a really good thing to look at the brighter side of things. I myself know how stressful it can be to balance so much in life. From being a full-time college student, working part-time, being involved in campus organizations, and having a social life, I know it can be overwhelming. Through all of my stress and worry I’ve learned to live more in the present moment and see the good in tough situations. Living in the present moment and changing our attitude/mindset can help ease the stress while also helping us live a more fulfilling life. With all of that being said, if you are having a bad day or are feeling down, find a friend, family member, or someone you trust to vent to. Sometimes all we need is someone to talk to so we can release all of that worry and stress.

Since October is a month full of positivity, I challenge you to smile more, cherish the little things, say two positive affirmations to yourself daily, practice gratitude, and take a mental break if you need it. Encourage people around you to try and turn negative things into positive things. Everyone deserves positivity in their lives. 😊