Black History of Health: Simone Biles

Simone Biles got her first taste of gymnastics at six years old. Based on her talent, the instructors suggested that she continue with the sport. Biles took this advice and began official training at eight. By 14, she made her debut at the 2011 American Classic in Houston where she placed third. After that, she competed in several championships leading up to the 2016 Olympics season for which she’s well-known.

Since then, Biles has become the most decorated gymnast in the Gymnastics World Championships and is tied for the most Olympic medals in the sport of gymnastics. In 2022, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Though 2016 was a great year for Simone Biles in gymnastics, it was also the year that hackers leaked her medical information. That’s when Biles opened up that she had been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as a child and has been managing the condition with medication.

What Is ADHD?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental health disorders in America. Though it’s estimated that it affects 8.4 percent of children and 2.5 percent of adults, many people haven’t been diagnosed yet. While the symptoms can vary, they can significantly disrupt your life.

Some of the issues you can experience include poor time management, poor planning, impulsiveness, restlessness, problems with multitasking, and trouble focusing.

Despite how many people are dealing with ADHD, researchers haven’t identified a definitive cause for it. It’s possible that it could be caused by genetics, environmental factors, or developmental issues. Additionally, anyone can develop ADHD but you may be at a higher risk if someone in your family has the condition, if you were born prematurely, or if you were exposed to environmental toxins as a child.

How The Condition Is Diagnosed

It’s not always easy to diagnose ADHD, especially in adults. It’s typical for doctors to diagnose the condition before the age of 12 but studies show that the older you get, the less likely it is for you to get a diagnosis.

On top of that, Black Americans are less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than other ethnicities.

Since there are no set tests for ADHD, your doctor will start by doing a thorough physical exam to rule out other illnesses that could cause your symptoms. These include mood disorders, sleep disorders, and thyroid problems. They’ll also ask about your family history. Finally, your doctor will evaluate your symptoms using ADHD rating scales or psychological tests.

After you’re diagnosed, the doctor may categorize your ADHD into three types. The possible types are predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, and combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive. Knowing which type of ADHD you have can determine your treatment program.

How ADHD Is Treated

ADHD is usually managed through the use of medication. The most common type of medication that’s prescribed for ADHD is stimulants. These drugs increase the amount of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain.

If stimulants aren’t effective for you or have undesirable side effects, your doctor may opt for non-stimulants instead. Those drugs generally work by increasing the levels of norepinephrine in your brain. Depending on how you react to the medication, it may take some time to settle on a regimen that works for you.

Apart from medication, many people benefit from undergoing therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you to identify all the ways that ADHD can affect your day-to-day life while giving you the skills to cope. If your symptoms have a negative effect on your relationships, marital counseling or family therapy can help.

As doctors learn more about ADHD, many people with the condition are finally getting a diagnosis. If you have any of the symptoms listed here, you should talk to your doctor immediately about an assessment. Managing your ADHD can make a significant difference in your life.