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.
RELATED: Simone Biles: “Having ADHD And Taking Medicine For It Is Nothing To Be Ashamed Of”
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