What do Maroon 5 lead singer Adam Levine, and 10 million US adults have in common? The answer might surprise you.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), one of the most common childhood psychiatric disorders, is categorized by symptoms of hyperactivity, inattentiveness and impulsivity. A common perception of the disorder is that children outgrow it by adulthood or young adulthood. However, this is not always the case, because, like Adam, an estimated 4.4% of US adults have ADHD.*
An estimated 11% (6.4 million) of US school-aged children have been diagnosed with ADHD in their lifetime,** and based on parent reports, nearly 50% may continue to have it as adults.
Between fronting Maroon 5 and coaching up-and-coming talent on NBC's The Voice, Adam Levine found the time to share his story and experiences with ADHD to help motivate other adults with ADHD. In this latest iteration of the "Own It" campaign, Adam explains that as a child with ADHD, he didn't really know what he was dealing with, but now as an adult, he's learned how to manage and even accept his symptoms.
The "Own It" campaign aims to motivate adults previously diagnosed with ADHD who may still have symptoms of the disorder to take an ADHD quiz at OwnYourADHD.com, and encourage them to discuss the results with their physician.
The "Own It" initiative is supported by two advocacy groups: Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) and Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD), and is made possible by Shire. In addition, digital and print assets are utilized to increase awareness and further support this educational campaign, which has been well received thus far. Since its launch in June 2011, two million people who thought they may still have ADHD have been motivated to take the online assessment, which can be used to start a discussion with their doctor.
The enclosed PSA is an important resource for those adults who are concerned about ADHD or may have been diagnosed in the past to speak with their doctor. As you may recall, "Own It" has gained support from professional baseball player Shane Victorino and several everyday people diagnosed with ADHD, including a singer, entrepreneur and a graduate student.
Please consider placing this PSA into your rotation. Sharing an impactful message such as Adam's is one way to help build awareness of ADHD and encourage those have been diagnosed in the past and are still experiencing symptoms to speak with their doctor.
Thank you,
Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA)
Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)
Shire
|
