October is National ADHD Awareness Month, a timely opportunity to look beyond common stereotypes and better understand what attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) actually is.
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that can affect attention, executive function, impulse control, activity levels, emotional regulation, and day-to-day functioning. It occurs across the lifespan and is not simply a matter of being distracted, unmotivated, or disorganized.
Importantly, ADHD exists on a spectrum of presentation and severity. Some people experience predominantly inattentive symptoms, while others experience more hyperactive and impulsive symptoms, and some people experience a combination of both.
Signs you may be living with ADHD
ADHD can look different from person to person, particularly in adults. Common experiences may include:
- Difficulty sustaining attention, particularly during routine or uninteresting tasks
- Frequently losing or misplacing important items
- Procrastination or difficulty getting started on tasks
- Chronic difficulties with time management or organization
- Forgetfulness, missed appointments, or incomplete tasks
- Becoming easily distracted by internal thoughts or external stimuli
- Restlessness or difficulty sitting still
- Interrupting conversations or acting before thinking
- Difficulty transitioning between tasks
- Experiencing periods of intense concentration or “hyperfocus” on highly engaging activities
However, experiencing some of these traits does not necessarily mean you have ADHD. A proper diagnosis considers the person’s developmental history, symptoms across different settings, degree of functional impairment, and other possible explanations for those symptoms.
Is ADHD Being Overdiagnosed?
ADHD diagnoses have increased substantially in recent years, particularly among adults, women, and girls. This does not necessarily mean ADHD itself has become more common. Increased awareness and improved recognition of predominantly inattentive presentations have helped identify people who were historically overlooked – especially women, who may have learned to compensate for their symptoms or had difficulties attributed to anxiety, stress, or personality.
Changes in modern life, including increased screen exposure, information overload, disrupted routines, and the demands of remote work during the pandemic, may also have made existing ADHD-related difficulties more noticeable. At the same time, overdiagnosis is a legitimate concern because symptoms such as poor concentration, forgetfulness, and procrastination are common and can also result from sleep deprivation, anxiety, depression, chronic stress, medications, or other health conditions.
In British Columbia, adult ADHD diagnoses rose significantly during and after the pandemic, but an increase in diagnoses does not necessarily indicate an increase in the underlying prevalence of ADHD. The key is accurate diagnosis: ADHD should be diagnosed based on persistent symptoms, meaningful impairment, developmental history, and consideration of alternative explanations, not simply because someone identifies with a checklist of common experiences.
ADHD is more than an attention problem
The term “attention deficit” can be misleading. Many people with ADHD can pay exceptionally close attention when a task is stimulating or meaningful. A more useful way to understand ADHD is as a difference in attention regulation and executive function. Executive functions help us initiate tasks, prioritize, estimate time, regulate impulses, shift attention, and follow through.
This can explain why someone may be highly capable and productive in some situations while struggling significantly with seemingly simple everyday tasks.
ADHD in women: Why it can be missed
ADHD can be underrecognized in women and girls, partly because it may present with less overt hyperactivity and more predominantly inattentive or internalized symptoms. Rather than being visibly disruptive, someone may appear quiet, forgetful, disorganized, overwhelmed, or chronically “busy” trying to keep up with everyday demands. Women and girls may also develop compensatory strategies such as perfectionism, excessive organization, overpreparing, or masking difficulties, which can make their underlying challenges less apparent to others.
Research suggests that females with ADHD are more likely to be overlooked or diagnosed later, while symptoms may be attributed instead to anxiety, depression, stress, or personality traits. Hormonal changes across the lifespan may also influence the experience of ADHD symptoms, although this is an evolving area of research. Recognizing these differences is important because delayed diagnosis can mean years without appropriate support or an explanation for persistent difficulties with attention, executive function, and emotional regulation.
How can Naturopathic Medicine uniquely approach ADHD?
Naturopathic medicine can have a useful role as part of an integrative ADHD care plan, particularly when the focus is on factors that influence overall cognitive and physical health.
Rather than claiming that diet or supplements can “cure” ADHD, a Naturopathic approach can investigate and address modifiable contributors to wellbeing while working alongside appropriate conventional care.
- Nutrition and Dietary Patterns
A nutrient-dense, balanced dietary pattern supports overall brain and metabolic health. A Naturopathic assessment may look at meal patterns, protein and fibre intake, micronutrient adequacy, caffeine and alcohol use, and dietary restrictions.
- Sleep and Circadian Health
Sleep and ADHD have a complex relationship. Difficulty falling asleep, inconsistent sleep schedules, and insufficient sleep can worsen attention and executive functioning, while ADHD itself can make establishing consistent sleep routines more challenging.
Addressing sleep duration, timing, light exposure, evening stimulation, and other contributors to poor sleep can therefore be an important component of supportive care.
- Physical Activity
Regular physical activity has benefits that extend well beyond cardiovascular health. Research suggests that aerobic exercise may have small-to-moderate beneficial effects on ADHD symptoms, although it should be viewed as an adjunct rather than a replacement for established ADHD treatments. A Naturopathic approach can help translate this evidence into a realistic movement plan based on a person’s preferences, schedule, fitness level, and barriers.
- Identifying and Addressing Coexisting Concerns
ADHD commonly exists alongside other mental and physical health concerns. A comprehensive assessment can therefore consider sleep problems, anxiety, mood symptoms, nutritional inadequacies, gastrointestinal concerns, hormonal or metabolic factors, and medication or supplement use where clinically relevant.
This does not mean assuming that these factors cause ADHD. Rather, identifying and treating coexisting issues may improve overall functioning and quality of life.
- Integrating With Conventional ADHD Care
For people who benefit from stimulant or non-stimulant medication, Naturopathic care can complement conventional treatment. Evidence-based ADHD care may include medication, behavioural strategies, psychotherapy or skills-based interventions, environmental modifications, and accommodations. Guidelines recommend tailoring treatment to the individual and considering non-pharmacological approaches when appropriate. Naturopathic doctors can also help review supplements for potential interactions and avoid unnecessary or poorly supported products.
When should you consider an ADHD assessment?
If difficulties with attention, organization, impulsivity, or executive function have been persistent, began during childhood, occur across multiple areas of life, and are interfering with work, school, relationships, or daily functioning, it may be worth discussing an ADHD assessment with an appropriately trained healthcare professional.
A diagnosis can provide more than a label. For many people, it can offer an explanation for longstanding challenges and open the door to targeted strategies and support.
A whole-person approach to ADHD
ADHD is a legitimate neurodevelopmental condition—not a character flaw and not simply a consequence of poor discipline.
At the same time, ADHD does not exist in isolation from the rest of the body. Sleep, nutrition, movement, stress, mental health, medications, and other health conditions can all influence how a person functions day to day.
For this reason, an integrative approach can be valuable: accurate diagnosis first, evidence-based ADHD treatment when indicated, and individualized support for the physical and lifestyle factors that influence overall wellbeing.
If you’re curious how Naturopathic Medicine could support you in navigating an ADHD diagnosis, consider booking an appointment today!
Disclaimer: The content provided on this blog is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. While we strive to present accurate and up-to-date information, the field of naturopathic medicine is continually evolving, and individual health circumstances vary. Therefore, the information herein may not apply to your specific health situation.
Please be aware that engaging with this blog does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. For personalized medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment plans, we recommend scheduling a consultation with a qualified naturopathic physician or other licensed healthcare provider.
In the event of a medical emergency, contact emergency services immediately.
References
Cortese, S. (2020). Pharmacologic treatment of attention deficit–hyperactivity disorder. New England Journal of Medicine, 383(11), 1050–1056. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra1917069
Faraone, S. V., Bellgrove, M. A., Brikell, I., Cortese, S., Hartman, C. A., Hollis, C., Newcorn, J. H., Rohde, L. A., & others. (2024). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 10, Article 12. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41572-024-00495-0
Koirala, S., Grimsrud, G., Mooney, M. A., & others. (2024). Neurobiology of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: Historical challenges and emerging frontiers. Nature Reviews Neuroscience. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13404203/
Loe, I. M., Kakar, P. A., & Sanders, L. M. (2021). Diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. JAMA Pediatrics, 175(5), 508–509. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2020.2218
Posner, J., Polanczyk, G. V., & Sonuga-Barke, E. J. S. (2020). Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. The Lancet, 395(10222), 450–462. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(19)33004-1
Young, S., Hollingdale, J., Absoud, M., Bolton, P., Branney, P., Colley, W., Craze, E., Dave, M., Deeley, Q., Farrag, E., Furniss, F., Hayman, I., Hetherington, R., Kilgariff, J., O’Regan, F., Palmer, C., & Woodhouse, E. (2020). Guidance for identification and treatment of individuals with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder based upon expert consensus. BMC Medicine, 18, Article 146. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-020-01585-y