Adam Levine Continues Partnership with the "Own It" Campaign to Motivate Young Adults and Adults to Take an Active Role With Their ADHD

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- While Adam Levine is recognized as the lead singer of Maroon 5 and one of four coaches on NBC's The Voice, he is also known for encouraging adults to own their Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Today, Adam helped kick off the latest installment of the "Own It" campaign, an initiative to help motivate other adults with ADHD, by sharing his own personal story.

The "Own It" initiative aims to motivate adults who were 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.

"ADHD can be complex. As a child, I didn't really know what I was dealing with. As an adult, I have learned how to manage and even accept my symptoms," said Adam Levine. "For young adults who might think that ADHD is something that they can outgrow, in some cases it is, but if you frequently feel those symptoms as an adult, don't be bashful. Talk to your doctor."

The "Own It" campaign launched in June 2011 and is supported by the Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) and Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD), and has been made possible by Shire. The campaign has gained support from professional baseball player Shane Victorino and several everyday people with ADHD.

"Shire is committed to providing resources and support to young adults and adults with ADHD," said Perry Sternberg, Senior Vice President, Neuroscience Business Unit. "We are proud to work with Adam Levine, and organizations such as CHADD and ADDA to help build awareness and provide information about this disorder as it affects millions of people."

ADHD is estimated to affect 4.4 percent of US adults aged 18 to 44 based on results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. When this percentage is extrapolated to the full US population aged 18 and over, approximately 10 million adults are estimated to have ADHD. An estimated 11 percent (6.4 million) of US school-aged children have  been diagnosed with ADHD in their lifetime, based on the 2011/12 National Survey of Children's Health, in which parents were asked if a health care practitioner had ever told them their child had ADD or ADHD. Nearly 50 percent of children with ADHD may continue to meet the criteria for the disorder in adulthood, based on parent report.

"We are proud to support the "Own It" campaign in the hopes that it will raise awareness of how symptoms of ADHD present in adults," said Ruth Hughes, CHADD Chief Executive Officer. "The purpose of the campaign is to encourage adults who were previously diagnosed with ADHD and are experiencing symptoms to seek an appointment with a physician who specializes in ADHD for a proper evaluation."

"Our goal is to educate about ADHD. Adam's message, which encourages adults with ADHD to learn about the symptoms and speak with a doctor, is a great way to get the message out," said Evelyn Green, ADDA President.

To hear additional campaign spokespeople and access the ADHD quiz and an ADHD Action Guide, please visit www.OwnYourADHD.com. 

About ADDA
The Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) is the world's leading adult ADHD organization. Their mission is to provide information, resources and networking opportunities to help adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) lead better lives. Since its inception over 20 years ago, ADDA has grown to become the source for information and resources exclusively for and about the adult ADHD community. To learn more, visit ADDA online at www.add.org.

About CHADD

CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is a national non-profit organization serving individuals with AD/HD and their families. CHADD has over 16,000 members in over 200 local chapters throughout the United States. Chapters offer support for individuals, parents, teachers, professionals, and others. To learn more, visit CHADD online at www.chadd.org.

About ADHD

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurobehavioral disorder that manifests as a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development and is inconsistent with developmental level.

ADHD is one of the most common childhood psychiatric disorders. Although many people tend to think of ADHD as a childhood problem, 60% to 85% of children with ADHD may continue to meet the criteria for the disorder during their teenage years. Nearly 50% of children with ADHD may continue to meet the criteria for the disorder in adulthood, based on parent report. The disorder is estimated to affect 4.4 percent of US adults aged 18 to 44 based on results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. When this percentage is extrapolated to the full US population aged 18 and over, approximately 10 million adults are estimated to have ADHD. Drug treatment may not be appropriate for all patients with ADHD.

The specific etiology of ADHD is unknown. The diagnosis is made utilizing criteria specified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, (DSM-5™) or International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision (ICD-10). Only a trained health care professional can evaluate and diagnose ADHD.

Although there is no cure for ADHD, there are accepted treatments that have been demonstrated to improve symptoms. Standard treatments include educational approaches, psychological therapies which may include behavioral modification, and/or medication.

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