| Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is the term used for a | | | | Progression |
| neurological condition marked by difficulties with | | | | ADD individuals are generally born with ADD. It usually |
| attention and concentration and usually difficulties with | | | | becomes manifest in early childhood. Often it becomes |
| self-control and overactivity or restlessness. It is also | | | | more apparent during elementary school years |
| known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder | | | | because of the demands of school experience. For |
| (ADHD) because many individuals with ADD are or | | | | some individuals it may not become apparent until later |
| were overactive and impulsive. About 5% of all people | | | | in life. During adolescence changes in the ADD |
| have ADD. | | | | manifestation often occur. It may be less outwardly |
| ADD is recognized by mental health professionals as | | | | obvious, especially when hyperactivity diminishes. For |
| one of the most common disorders of childhood, and | | | | some individuals, it seems to end. For the majority, it |
| was previously thought to resolve in adolescence. | | | | usually continues to impact in many ways throughout |
| Over the past decade there has been a growing | | | | adulthood, although greater control may be achieved in |
| awareness that for many if not most individuals with | | | | various ways. |
| ADD it persists into adulthood. Effective treatment for | | | | Diagnosis |
| adult ADD is a relatively new area of study. | | | | ADD is widespread in our society. It seems males are |
| ADD affects many aspects of life. It affects academic | | | | much more likely to be diagnosed with ADD than |
| and vocational success, personal and family | | | | females. There is no definitive test for ADD, and it is |
| relationships, emotions and self-esteem. ADD individuals | | | | one of the most difficult diagnoses to assess. ADD |
| often share a number of positive qualities such as | | | | can only be diagnosed by a mental health or medical |
| creativity, spontaneity, inventiveness, and sensitivity to | | | | clinician trained and experienced in the area of ADD. |
| others. But it also leads to disorganization, | | | | Comprehensive interviews covering childhood and |
| procrastination, difficulty with task completion, and | | | | adult history of academics, relationships, behavior, etc. |
| feeling overwhelmed. | | | | are necessary to establish a diagnosis. Rating scales |
| The Nature of ADD | | | | and certain tests are often helpful and employed. |
| ADD is commonly described as a disorder consisting | | | | Because the main symptoms of ADD overlap with |
| of chronic difficulties in the areas of attention | | | | other conditions as well as with "normal" experience, a |
| concentration, impulsivity, and overactivity. In addition to | | | | qualified professional is required to rule out other |
| these "core" symptoms, other symptoms and | | | | conditions that may produce symptoms resembling |
| problems include distractibility, forgetfulness, lack of | | | | ADD. ADD should not be self-diagnosed. If you think |
| persistence with tasks, frequent boredom, failure to | | | | you have ADD it is recommended that you consult a |
| delay speech or action when appropriate, fidgetiness, | | | | professional. |
| restlessness, being "always on the go," disorganization, | | | | Treatment |
| difficulty coping with stressful situations, temper | | | | ADD is not an all or nothing condition, but occurs in |
| outbursts, and frequently changing moods. Not every | | | | degrees. It is possible to have a mild case that can be |
| ADD individual displays all these symptoms. Some | | | | relatively easy to manage. Some people have severe |
| ADD individuals have mainly the attentional difficulties | | | | symptoms and problems that can impair their |
| and do not have the overactivity and impulsivity. These | | | | functioning greatly. Even severe ADD can, with effort, |
| symptoms frequently lead to low self-esteem, | | | | medication, and support, be managed effectively. |
| problems with planning and executing tasks, a | | | | People with moderate to severe problems related to |
| disorganized lifestyle, poor problem-solving skills, | | | | ADD should consider treatment with a professional |
| frequent job or relationship changes, social and | | | | with training and experience in ADD. Medications can |
| relationship difficulties, a chronic pattern of | | | | be helpful. Counseling is often indicated to deal not only |
| underachievement, and/or inconsistency in work | | | | with the symptoms, but also the resulting issues related |
| production and performance. Children often display | | | | to emotions, self-esteem, relationships, work |
| problems with behavior, socialization, and school | | | | performance, school performance, etc. Parent |
| performance. Many individuals with ADD may have a | | | | counseling has been shown to be effective in helping |
| coexisting problem such as anxiety or depression, a | | | | children with ADD. Coaching is another service |
| learning disability, or drug/alcohol abuse. It may be that | | | | providing support for ADD. Greater effectiveness and |
| they focus on and seek help for this problem, not | | | | reaching of potential can be had. There is much that |
| recognizing its link to ADD. | | | | can be done to help the individual struggling with ADD. |
| Causes | | | | Learning new ways to gain control of ADD-related |
| ADD is widely recognized among experts as having a | | | | problems is an important part of coping with ADD. A |
| biological, neurological basis. It is currently understood | | | | first step is to gain insight and understanding of how |
| as the result of a part or parts of the brain not | | | | ADD impacts in your life. This understanding can then |
| regulating self-control of attention, impulses, and activity | | | | be used to identify the challenges and eventually to |
| level as it should, likely due in part to a lack of certain | | | | develop new strategies and skills for dealing with your |
| neurochemicals. While it is usually an inherited condition, | | | | (or your child's) ADD symptoms and problems. An |
| it may be exacerbated by environmental and other | | | | ADD coach or therapist specializing in the treatment of |
| factors such as parenting, adversity, or educational | | | | ADD can be very helpful in this process. |
| environment. | | | | |