| There is a lot of hype about the surge of children and | | | | plan to capture strengths and compensate for |
| adults being identified with Attention Deficit Disorder. | | | | inconsistencies. |
| Just the mention of adult ADD raises eyebrows, | | | | Just as diverse as the ADD spectrum can be, so are |
| among many who still think it only exists in kids. Some | | | | the treatment solutions. ADD can be accompanied by |
| debate whether today's generation is overmedicated, | | | | depression, anxiety and substance use issues. When |
| yet there are many children and adults who are under | | | | there is overlap, the best strategies are those that are |
| diagnosed. It is not at all uncommon for parents to | | | | tailored accordingly. Omega 3's and exercise are |
| figure out they have ADD when their kids show up on | | | | natural remedies gaining the momentum and |
| the radar with it. | | | | recognition they deserve to help curb unwanted |
| Some telltale markers of ADD include difficulty with | | | | symptoms. Coaching is one of the best forms of help, |
| focus, inattention, starting and completing tasks, | | | | since it helps the participant capture their strengths and |
| impulsivity, restlessness and a sense one is not | | | | put specific plans in place to overcome obstacles. |
| achieving to fullest potential. ADDers are often very | | | | Psychotherapy, or "talk therapy" helps to build |
| bright, with extraordinary abilities in creativity, | | | | strategies and overcome some of the difficulties ADD |
| multi-tasking and extreme focus or "hyper focus" that | | | | can bring. Stimulant medication is utilized to help |
| allows them to get into a "zone" and accomplish a | | | | individuals focus and reduce restlessness, cloudiness |
| great deal. Perhaps the dichotomy in symptoms | | | | and impulsivity. Many adults who have finally |
| causes some with ADD to go undetected. A lot of | | | | recognized the linkage between their difficulties and |
| people also still believe the image imprinted in their mind | | | | ADD characteristics are benefitting greatly from the |
| of the quintessential hyperactive kid bouncing off the | | | | raised awareness and the promise of therapeutic |
| walls in a classroom is what ADD looks like. If this is all | | | | intervention. |
| they can conjure up, they couldn't be further from the | | | | If you are wondering if you or someone you know has |
| truth. | | | | ADD, a diagnostic evaluation with a licensed Physician |
| Until fairly recently, the concept of an adult having ADD | | | | or mental health clinician with experience in treating |
| symptoms was mostly unheard of and not recognized | | | | ADD will help answer your questions. There are |
| as a possibility. Fortunately, the ground breaking work | | | | several tools clinicians draw upon to effectively |
| of Harvard Psychiatrists Drs. Edward Hallowell and | | | | determine a diagnosis of ADD. Since there are not |
| John Ratey in the early 1990's, among others, drove | | | | medical or genetic tests for ADD, a combination of |
| our nation towards a better appreciation what life with | | | | symptom checklists and behavior scales, observation |
| ADD is really all about. The two brilliant Harvard | | | | and personal history are used to determine if ADD is a |
| Doctors have ADD themselves and certainly have | | | | possible factor in a person's life. |
| shattered many myths through their personal | | | | It is wonderful to see a person realize their abilities and |
| revelations and professional expertise. | | | | increase self-acceptance by identifying ADD traits and |
| As a therapist, I have seen success when the | | | | capturing the strengths within the ADD equation. It is |
| remarkable aspects of ADD traits are cultivated, and | | | | important to know that ADD characteristics are not |
| insight developed to put into practice strategies to | | | | inherently negative, on the contrary, they can be |
| compensate for forgetfulness, distraction and patterns | | | | indicative of tremendous ability to be multidimensional. |
| of things left unfinished and unresolved. For those | | | | There is a wide spectrum of ADD and interventions |
| struggling with higher degrees of ADD, recognition of | | | | available to maximize potential. In my opinion, many |
| what is leading to disorganization, jumping to and from | | | | ADD strategies are universally helpful for all, and |
| jobs and relationships and making rash decisions can | | | | facilitate everyday coping, organizational and life |
| lead to making changes. Often, it just takes an | | | | management good practices. |
| increase in self-awareness together with a specific | | | | |