ADHD, What is it?

It's all over the news, ADHD is everywhere. Kids havebe the case. What we often don't think of, or don't
it in record numbers, adults have it too. Is ADHD therealize, when we think about people with ADHD is that
latest craze? Is ADHD real or is it just an excuse?they are often the brightest amongst us.
What is ADHD anyway?They tend to come up with the most and best ideas
ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivitywhen brainstorming, they are likely to volunteer for the
Disorder. It is commonly referred to as ADHD, ADD,new project that nobody else will dare to. People with
AD/HD or Attention Deficit Disorder. It is estimated thatADHD often thrive in situation where they have many
17-20 million Americans are affected by ADHD.things going on at one time...they rule the multitask
When most people hear the term "ADHD" or "ADD"world. Some of our countries greatest thinkers have
they picture a child, usually a boy, bouncing off themany ADHD traits. Think of Benjamin Franklin, Thomas
walls. They picture a little boy who is unable to payEdison and Albert Einstein. Edison was kicked out of
attention to what he is supposed to and is disruptive inschool because his teachers thought he was a slow
class. They picture someone who is totallylearner, would not pay attention and could not sit still.
disorganized, always running late and always forgettingMany people with ADHD are very smart. They are
the one thing they were supposed to bring with them.extremely creative, out of the box thinkers. They
In reality these children (and as they grow up, theseunderstand subjects on a different level than their
adults) have brains that work differently. The brain ofpeers. Their brain jumps from one idea to the next so
someone with ADHD is simply not wired to handlethey are often awesome brainstormers, negotiators
boring or routine tasks. The brain of someone withand problem solvers. But they do learn differently and
ADHD needs excitement to keep it alert. The brain ofthat is not always acceptable in the mainstream.
someone with ADHD can't spend the time to prioritizeAn ADHD child often grows up into an ADHD adult. By
what they need to focus on. The ADHD brain focusesadulthood the ADHD adult has usually learned many
on the most interesting thing it can find. And,strategies to help them compensate for some of the
unfortunately, just because something is interestingthings they have trouble with. The attention, impulsivity
does not mean it is the most important thing.and activity issues are still there but frequently show
ADHD is characterized as having chronic difficulties inup in other ways. Major characteristics of ADHD in an
at least one three areas; attention, (hyper)activity, andadult include some of the following:
impulsivity.- Has difficulty sustaining attention, is easily distracted
- Attention: People that have trouble focusing on theand fails to give close attention to detail.
task at hand. People who day dream, people whose- Does not appear to listen.
mind jumps from one topic to the next. Conversely,- Struggles to follow through on instructions or follow
issues with attention also include people whorules.
hyperfocus on something that really excites or- Has difficulty with organization.
interests them - think of a child who can't pull- Avoids or dislikes tasks requiring sustained mental
themselves away from a good game they are playingeffort.
or an adult who gets so wrapped up in a project at- Talks excessively and may interrupts or intrudes
work that they "forget" to eat or don't hear the phone.upon others.
- Activity: Can't physically sit still, always plays with- Procrastination; inability to complete things.
something in their hands, constantly fidgeting. Again- Has difficulty making decisions.
here the converse exists, someone who is so lethargic- Difficulty expressing thoughts in speech or in writing.
that they can't seem to get out of their own way.- A sense of failure; not living up to one's potential.
Hyperactivity also exists in thoughts. A person whose- A sense of being different, unconventional.
thoughts skip from one topic to the next.- A sense of internal restlessness; constantly active -
- Impulsivity: The inability to plan. This is the person wholike being driven by a motor.
just jumps right in without thinking the action through.- Has trouble falling asleep or waking up alert.
The child who blurts out the answer in class or- A sense that their mind is always active; thoughts
interrupts their friends while they are in the middle ofjump from one topic to the next.
something. These are people who start one project- Easily bored; intense need for excitement.
and jump to the next.- Very impatient; low frustration tolerance.
Children with ADHD often have a great deal of trouble- Difficulty with personal or work relationships.
in school. The school environment generally requires- Frequently late or rushed.
active kids to keep still and keep their hands to- Impulsive spending and money management
themselves. They are asked to focus on tasks andproblems.
subjects that they may not be interested in and are- Frequently changing jobs, interests or activities.
asked to wait their turn before speaking. Many ADHD- Frequently losing or misplacing things.
children spend their time in school hearing things like "if- Perfectionist tendencies.
only you tried harder you'd do so well", "you're beingIt is important to be aware that everyone at some
lazy", "just do it, it's not so hard" or "you are nottime displays some if not all of the typical
working up to your potential".characteristics associated with ADHD. The difference
When not recognized, ADHD frequently leads tois that with ADHD these characteristics are long lasting
frustration, underachievement and forgotten dreams.and control your life. ADHD symptoms usually arise in
ADHD can lead to low self esteem and under use ofearly childhood. If you think you may have ADHD Take
potential. It can lead to underemployment, substancethis test, then talk to a doctor or therapist specifically
abuse and failed relationships. But this doesn't have totrained to recognize ADHD.