Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is becoming a growing concern and affects millions of people globally. Unlike adults, kids cannot manage it properly; it causes them multiple problems in both social and personal aspects of life while growing up. A recently published study noted that every 1 out of 9 children in America gets diagnosed with ADHD symptoms. 

In the year in which this study was conducted, around 7 million children between the ages of three and 17 were diagnosed with ADHD. This condition is devastating for both parents and children. Kids suffering from ADHD have a very low attention span, and it often hinders their studies and learning. 

Daydreaming, short-term memory, difficulty in concentration, excessive talking, resisting temptation, and fidgeting are some of the common symptoms that make day-to-day life a challenging task for children. 

From the best CBD for kids to different concentration exercises, parents try many things to help their children with this issue. However, the cases have only spiked in recent years; this article will cover the reason behind this sudden rise and potential treatments. 

What’s the reason behind the Sudden spike in ADHD among kids?

There are multiple reasons behind the sudden rise in ADHD diagnoses among kids. It’s not that ADHD is a new thing, just that now parents are more aware and seek professional guidance from doctors and therapists at very early stages. 

The study we mentioned in the intro was done by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, under the guidance of lead author Melissa Danielson. According to her, there are two reasons for this spike. 

First, people, including parents, kids, and doctors, are more aware of ADHD symptoms now. Which makes it easy to diagnose and treat the symptoms at very early ages. Second, the treatment for ADHD is more accessible now, which makes it easier for doctors to diagnose kids with ADHD through proper tests. 

She believes that both parents and doctors are now more comfortable discussing the symptoms shown by kids. Earlier parents were usually against therapy and medications for ADHD symptoms, but with time the situation has changed. People like therapy as some routine reserved for mentally unstable people. 

In fact, the spike can be treated as a positive sign; it simply means that more and more kids are getting the help they need. Another major reason is the COVID lockdown, which allowed parents to closely monitor their kid’s behavior and encouraged more family bonding time to share mental health struggles.

It is one of the biggest diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorders among growing kids and teenagers. Some experts believe that the increased screen time, stress of remote learning, isolation from peer groups, changing routines, and family health issues during COVID aggravated these symptoms of ADHD in many kids. 

But there’s also the risk of misdiagnosing; sometimes people label anxiety and depression as ADHD, which is not a good thing. In fact, before 2013, doctors used to refuse to diagnose ADHD if a kid was under the age of 7. 

Can CBD help with ADHD?

ADHD affects around 8% of kids under the age of 12 globally. But can CBD help with this? Well, there’s no clear answer to it. The research on CBD use for ADHD treatment is quite limited as of now. 

For kids’ usage, there’s only one FDA-certified CBD prescription medicine called Epidolex, which is given to treat severe seizure diseases. As of today, there’s no concrete research that shows that there is a direct correlation between CBD use and ADHD improvement in kids. 

So maybe it’s not the best idea to give CBD to your kid without a doctor’s approval. If your kid is an adult, above the age of 18, then CBD may help them by slightly improving their overall relaxation and focus. 

There’s an ongoing study to see the effectiveness of CBD for ADHD treatment among teens and young adults; once it comes out, we’ll have a much clearer picture. 

How to help your Kid with ADHD? 

There are many ways in which you can help your loved ones to deal with ADHD symptoms, let’s explore them in detail. 

• Proper Diagnosis: If you think your child might have ADHD, talk to your doctor. They can refer you to a specialist who can do tests to see if your child has ADHD. This is important because other things like anxiety and depression can look like ADHD too.

• Structured Routines: Kids with ADHD do better when they know what to expect. Make a daily schedule for things like waking up, meals, homework, and bedtime. Use charts or calendars to help your child see and follow the routine.

• Physical Activity: Regular exercise can greatly help improve focus and reduce hyperactivity in children with ADHD. Encourage your child to play sports, ride bikes, or simply run around outside. Physical activity can also help improve sleep, which is often challenging for kids with ADHD.

The End Note

To sum it up, ADHD rates have spiked because awareness and diagnosis of ADHD have increased in the past few years. 

The isolation during COVID allowed parents to be more observant about their kid’s behavior, which led to increased testing. It’s best to give your child treatment and therapy recommended by a doctor and encourage supportive behavior at home. 

Don’t give your kid CBD if they are below the age of 18, as the studies in this field are quite limited. For adult use, CBD can help by improving relaxation, but make sure to buy it from well-tested brands like Colorado Botanicals.