Published October 12, 2026

October is national ADHD (attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder) month and in this month focus is given to what ADHD is and is not. ADHD is a brain condition that impacts focus, energy , and impulse control. Studies have found that 6% of adults have ADHD which equates to about 15 million persons.

What Does This Mean

This means that it is important to know ways that we can support others or self if diagnosed. It also means that we should operate with a level of kindness and accept when persons say they or overwhelmed not as them making an excuse but as a true reflection of how they may feel. In addition, it should be noted that persons with ADHD may focus very well on preferred activities and things that interest them versus non preferred task. If you are working with a person or your partner has ADHD being curious to what their preferred activities are and being able to lean in and possibly build non preferred activities around preferred activities may aide them in completing task.

What Are The Symptoms

Just because you struggle with focus does not mean you have ADHD. In fact ADHD symptoms must be persistently occurring over a six month or more basis. ADHD is broken down into three categories inattentive, hyperactive impulsive, and a combination.

Signs of inattentive include:

• Having difficulty sustaining attention

• Not appearing to listen

• Struggling to follow through on instructions

• Having difficulty with organization

• Avoiding or disliking tasks requiring sustained mental effort

• Losing things

• Being easily distracted

• Being forgetful in daily activities

  
  

  Signs of hyperactive impulsive include:

• Fidgeting with hands or feet or squirming in chairs

• Having difficulty remaining seated

• Running about or climbing excessively in children; or extreme restlessness in adults

• Having difficulty engaging in activities quietly

• Acting as if driven by a motor; adults will often feel inside like they are driven by a motor

• Talking excessively

• Blurting out answers before questions have been completed

• Having difficulty waiting or taking turns

• Interrupting or intruding upon others

Combined ADHD is a mix of both symptoms.

What Now

Knowing the symptoms and creating ways to navigate being overwhelmed will aide in the feeling. Some common strategies used are chunking (splitting task up), scheduling task, and taking small breaks.

If you are feeling overwhelmed the first thing to do is to acknowledge it. The second thing to do is to create strategies to complete the task at hand. Whether diagnosed with ADHD or not leaning into the feeling versus pushing through avoids burn out.

When all else fails take it one day, one hour, one minute and even one second at a time if needed. The goal is to master the task without dis-regulating yourself.

Happy ADHD MONTH!!!!