ADHD in the Latin Community

With the help of today’s technology such as phones, laptops, and tablets, Social Media is a daily part of our lives. From posting our meals to letting our followers know a funny meme we saw. But Social Media is not just that, recently there has been an increase of engagement when it comes to Mental Health. Especially when it comes to the more open minded society we have today. One public awareness campaign on Instagram is called #RealConvo to raise awareness on the issues people face on a day to day basis. Some of the rising topics being Clinical Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, etc. The list can go on and on but more specifically Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder also known as ADHD. 

ADHD is manifested in 8.4% of children and 2.5% of adults, meaning more children around the ages of 6 through 12 are most likely to be affected. But this does not exclude adults from receiving treatments or being seen as any different. 

For the most part when people think of ADHD, they think of people who are not able to sit still, who can not focus on topics, who gets distracted by anything and everything.This can be true to some but there is more to uncover about ADHD. According to the American Psychiatric Association, ADHD is shown through inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a list of symptoms to look out for when it comes to children and their chance of having ADHD. Such as 

• Daydream a lot 
• Talk too much 
• Have trouble taking turns 
• Have difficulty getting along with others 

Though you can not really be on just this list but instead seek professional help who have a proper way to diagnosis. This process includes DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)-5 Criteria for ADHD. A pattern must be present to which the Professional would then diagnose the patient with one of the three kinds of ADHD, Combined Presentation, Predominantly Inattentive Presentation, and Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation.

While there are treatments to help there is no set cure. The two common treatments for ADHD include Behavior Therapy and Medications.

Between the years of 2000 and 2011, scientists found an increase of 43% of children diagnosed with ADHD. Within the Latine Community they found an increase of 83% compared to another race and ethnicity. The sad thing is in general kids with mental health do not get any care as there is little to none available but even so when it comes to Hispanic kids, the care is less than those who are non-Hispanic.

When it comes to the Latine Community, there is a stigma of mental health. Much of the community believes it is something you can overcome with prayer or hard work. Any medications are dangerous because they can lead you to addiction. This notion makes it even harder for those who have mental illnesses to seek healthcare. Especially for Latine people in the United States who do not have insurance. Healthcare is expensive and insurance companies can cover up to half, if not all of the payment for seeking medical assistance. The problem therefore lies in those who do not have insurance thus making it out to reach out for help because of the expensive medical treatment. 

According to The Guardian, Hispanic kids are less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD and even less likely to receive any treatment. Which can provide difficulty to kids as the symptoms are manifesting but they have no reason for why this is happening. It can provide difficulty to the family in understanding the behavior of their kids. Especially in school when it is hard to focus. 

Overall there needs to be care for our childrens’ mental health. If we are not looking out for them no one else will. We need to put their mental health as our priority. 

Relatable Sources: 

1. Blakemore, Erin. “Instagram Public Awareness Campaign Aims for Real Talk about Mental Health.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 25 May 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/instagram-public-awareness-campaign-aims-for-real-talk-about-mental-health/2019/05/24/cecfba8e-7cb5-11e9-8ede-f4abf521ef17_story.html
2. “What Is ADHD? .” What Is ADHD?, https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/adhd/what-is-adhd
3. “What Is ADHD? .” What Is ADHD?, https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/adhd/what-is-adhd
4. “Symptoms and Diagnosis of ADHD.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 23 Sept. 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/diagnosis.html
5. Park, Alice. “Here’s Why ADHD Rates Are Rising among Hispanics.” Time, Time, 8 Dec. 2015, https://time.com/4140590/adhd-rates-hispanics/
6. “Are Hispanics Less Likely to Get Diagnosed with ADHD in the US?” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 14 June 2016, https://www.theguardian.com/science/head-quarters/2016/jun/14/are-hispanics-less-likely-to-get-diagnosed-with-adhd-in-the-us
7.  “Are Hispanics Less Likely to Get Diagnosed with ADHD in the US?” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 14 June 2016, https://www.theguardian.com/science/head-quarters/2016/jun/14/are-hispanics-less-likely-to-get-diagnosed-with-adhd-in-the-us
8. “Are Hispanics Less Likely to Get Diagnosed with ADHD in the US?” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 14 June 2016, https://www.theguardian.com/science/head-quarters/2016/jun/14/are-hispanics-less-likely-to-get-diagnosed-with-adhd-in-the-us
9. Blakemore, Erin. “Instagram Public Awareness Campaign Aims for Real Talk about Mental Health.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 25 May 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/instagram-public-awareness-campaign-aims-for-real-talk-about-mental-health/2019/05/24/cecfba8e-7cb5-11e9-8ede-f4abf521ef17_story.html
10. Park, Alice. “Here’s Why ADHD Rates Are Rising among Hispanics.” Time, Time, 8 Dec. 2015, https://time.com/4140590/adhd-rates-hispanics/
11. “Symptoms and Diagnosis of ADHD.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 23 Sept. 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/diagnosis.html
12. “What Is ADHD? .” What Is ADHD?, https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/adhd/what-is-adhd