| For too many years, ADHD was thought to be a child | | | | Before recently, many adults with ADHD were called |
| disorder, and more specifically a disorder only found in | | | | unmotivated or lazy. One thing to keep in mind is that |
| young boys. But with medical technology and research | | | | just because you have some of the symptoms does |
| evolving, it has been found that many children with | | | | mean you have the disorder. It is the severity of the |
| ADD do not grow out of it when they become adults. | | | | symptoms and the history of them in the individual that |
| Although some of the hyperactivity tends to decrease, | | | | is the tell tale. What you need to keep in mind is that a |
| the core symptoms of the disorder do not disappear. | | | | disorder by definition is something that gets in the way. |
| Hyperactivity can turn into impulsivity in adulthood, | | | | For a diagnosis in adulthood, the symptoms of |
| which can potentially be very destructive. | | | | disorganization, distractibility, impulsivity and lack of |
| 92 percent of adults diagnosed with ADHD who were | | | | long-term planning must have started sometime in |
| treated after age 18 wish they had been diagnosed | | | | childhood. |
| sooner, according to research done by Harris | | | | Adults with ADHD can definitely have a successful life, |
| Interactive surveys. Research also indicated that 90 | | | | and the disorder has a range of effects on their |
| percent of teachers felt that late diagnosis affected | | | | progress in adulthood. Some individuals with ADHD will |
| both academic and social development in students. | | | | have trouble finishing college, some won't. Some will |
| Families of people with ADD believe that getting an | | | | have trouble finding a job or career they enjoy, some |
| accurate diagnosis is very important, but that conflicting | | | | won't. It depends on many factors: how severe the |
| information prevents this from happening in many | | | | disorder is, how supportive the individual's family is, |
| cases. Media from drug companies such as the one | | | | whether secondary disorders mask ADD, etc, etc. |
| pushing the popular ADD drug Strattera contribute to | | | | Some individuals may have ADD and the field they |
| this misinformation. Internet links that supposedly | | | | chose to go into supports their creativity and ideas. |
| indicate ADD also contribute to misinformation. ADD is | | | | Some will have no idea what they want to do and |
| not something you can diagnose just by taking a | | | | only are concerned with the moment. The bottom line |
| simple quiz or survey. It must be diagnosed by a | | | | is that if you think you have ADD and it is affecting the |
| psychologist or psychiatrist, and even these visits | | | | quality of your life; see a professional to further |
| should involve some type of formal testing for the | | | | investigate your hunches. Medication and counseling |
| disorder. | | | | can have a huge affect on the quality of your life. |