| The aging process is often riddled with complaints of | | | | ongoing out of control problems. |
| reduced focus and concentration. How can this be | | | | Hearing such complaints, I have to assess whether the |
| such a concern in the life of so many individuals? As | | | | problem is acute or chronic. The individual history will |
| an adult psychiatrist, I am given brain problems to solve. | | | | determine the possibility of current stressful situations |
| Sometimes it seems that the brain just gets | | | | explaining the distraction. Acute life issues with family, |
| overloaded with the demands of modern day life. | | | | money, and health can distract one from being totally |
| Today there is little down time to have your brain in | | | | focused. Yet some individuals have a long standing |
| idle. However, being greatly distracted by the multiple | | | | history of lack of attention. These adults have found |
| requirements of 21st century life does not necessarily | | | | techniques such as post-its and written lists for |
| indicate that one has Adult Attention Deficit | | | | maintaining focus. It is hard to maintain attention if you |
| Disorder(ADD). The following is a commentary on the | | | | have problems on your mind. Focus and concentration |
| exponential growth of the ADD diagnosis. | | | | problems that develop suddenly and without a reason |
| First, Attention Deficit Disorder is a valid and | | | | need to be checked out medically. Depression, |
| recognizable problem in some adults. Most individuals | | | | diabetes, thyroid issues, and medication effects are |
| with ADD have mild symptoms and do not need | | | | conditions that can impact concentration. |
| treatment. Mild symptoms are defined as distraction, | | | | Severe distraction and concentration problems are |
| inattention, and hyperactivity problems that are | | | | readily recognizable. Struggling throughout the day, |
| noticeable but do not impede daily life functioning. | | | | missing project deadlines, getting speeding tickets for |
| Adults are smart. They find external memory systems | | | | driving in zone, and spacing out most of the time make |
| or external brains that work for them. Planners, cell | | | | life challenging and overwhelming. The continued pain |
| phones and live calls, and post-it notes are survival | | | | of living out of control often fuels a phone call to a |
| tools for many. Do they have an illness that requires | | | | health professional. Yet making the ADD diagnosis for |
| treatment? Probably not. Most adults easily | | | | an adult is often tricky. Why? People with ADD can |
| compensate for their distraction problems by using | | | | hyper focus on things that are of interest and excel at |
| their executive brain functioning. This ability of adults to | | | | them. The common myth is that an ADD individual |
| compensate often requires clinicians to be highly skilled | | | | cannot excel in life. Most forget that adults adapt to |
| in order to diagnose an underlying ADD condition. The | | | | their situations. If you are disorganized, you may be |
| ADD may be the culprit behind their depression and | | | | unconsciously attracted to a spouse, receptionist, or |
| anxiety problems. | | | | business partner who is able to take care of the boring |
| When the distraction problem is at the next level of | | | | and uninteresting tasks. The ADD person is often the |
| severity, the diagnosis is simplified. Here the individual's | | | | creative big picture person; the problem is in completing |
| attention span is obviously limited during conversation. | | | | the boring details. |
| Frequent distraction by environmental cues and an | | | | In summary, the Attention Deficit Disorder diagnosis in |
| inability to sit still for any length of time are also | | | | adults is often missed. The condition can be masked |
| reported. At this level of functioning, attention | | | | by underlying problems with mood such as anxiety and |
| challenges impact upon the person's daily world. | | | | depression. Current treatment options depend upon the |
| Reports of hours spent finding misplaced items, lost | | | | severity of illness. Most often, patients respond by just |
| ATM cards, bills going unpaid on time, tons of paper | | | | obtaining a correct diagnosis which allows them to limit |
| piles, and missed or late appointments all cause | | | | daily tasks and responsibilities. |