| ADD is the acronym for a condition known as | | | | professional setting, this is often considered |
| Attention Deficit Disorder. This disorder is thought to | | | | unacceptable. |
| afflict a surprisingly large percentage of the school-age | | | | Currently, doctors are at a loss as to what causes |
| population. Some studies even show as high as 3-5% | | | | ADD. There does not appear to be any correlation |
| of children suffering from the condition. | | | | between upbringing or environment that triggers this |
| The disorder can be somewhat difficult to diagnose, | | | | disorder. Put another way, it affects children across |
| because the symptoms appear relatively often in | | | | every demographic. Doctors have pinpointed actual |
| children. They include restlessness, inability to focus for | | | | changes in the brains of those that suffer from the |
| long periods of time on low-stimulation activities | | | | disorder, so it is not merely a behavioral problem as |
| (including but not limited to homework), a tendency to | | | | was the consensus for many years. |
| daydream or become easily distracted, etc. It is | | | | Diagnosing ADD can be somewhat difficult, because |
| important to note that many children suffer from these | | | | the symptoms are so very common. For this reason, |
| symptoms every now and again. It is just a fact of | | | | there is no single test that can be performed with a |
| being a child. However, if the symptoms are persistent | | | | definitive "positive" or "negative" diagnosis. To secure a |
| and they impede the child's ability to learn at a | | | | proper diagnosis, observations need to be made over |
| reasonable rate, it may be beneficial to look into | | | | an extended period of time from caregivers, teachers |
| treatments methods. | | | | and physicians. The behavior also needs to persist |
| However, it is equally important to note that this | | | | over a long period of time, generally approximately six |
| disorder does not afflict children exclusively. There | | | | months or more. |
| seems to be a commonly held belief that these | | | | ADD is treated in a variety of ways, many of which |
| symptoms are just the result of children being children | | | | are somewhat controversial. The most common form |
| and that they'll eventually grow out of it. For some, that | | | | of treatment is through stimulant medications, the most |
| is absolutely the case. As they get older, their attention | | | | well known being Ritalin. This medication can be |
| spans will increase and extended periods of | | | | prescribed to children as young as six years old, inciting |
| schoolwork or mental tasks become easier and easier. | | | | some debate whether drugs are the healthiest way to |
| Nevertheless, recent studies show that nearly 60% of | | | | treat the disorder. For this reason, several non-stimulant |
| children with ADD become adults with ADD. | | | | and antidepressant therapies have been developed. |
| In adults, the symptoms are very similar to those found | | | | However, there has been less success with these |
| in children. However, being an adult, they can manifest | | | | methods. Almost all doctors agree that medication in |
| with truly destructive results. Due to the inability to | | | | conjunction with behavior management techniques is |
| focus, adults with ADD are prone to missing deadlines | | | | the most effective means to managing the disease, |
| at work or forgetting about appointments. They often | | | | whether it be found in children or adults. |
| seem extremely frazzled, chaotic or disorganized. In a | | | | |