| It is commonly believed that ADD is outgrown with | | | | mostly late and they frequently misplace things. They |
| age. But, to some people, it comes as a surprise that | | | | often start some work or project that they leave |
| they are ADD even in their adult years. Normally, they | | | | unfinished and do not follow through to completion. |
| come to realize it when they go to a specialist for | | | | They are easily distracted and bored. But, they can |
| treatment of their ADD child. While trying to understand | | | | also be intensely focused on some activity or task in |
| the symptoms of their child they realize that they are | | | | which they are really interested. In such cases they |
| also having those same symptoms. | | | | can devote long hours of concentrated activity. |
| Earlier they did not realize that they were suffering | | | | Impulsive - These people often speak without thinking. |
| from ADD because in their young years society, in | | | | They get angry quickly and always appear to be on |
| general, was not much aware of this syndrome. It is | | | | short fuse. |
| only recently that people have started taking more | | | | Low Self Esteem - ADD adults often have negative |
| interest in ADD in their children and try to get them | | | | self-images, which might be the result of broken |
| cured of it. Adults with ADD have developed, over the | | | | promises, unfinished tasks or adverse comments of |
| years, several coping behaviors to deal with the | | | | others. They mostly suffer from a feeling of anxiety |
| problem. | | | | and uncertainty. Even though some of these people |
| How can an adult realize that he is suffering from | | | | are high achievers in their fields, still they suffer from a |
| ADD? There are some signs and symptoms through | | | | feeling that they are not good at anything. |
| which ADD in an adult can be diagnosed. Following is a | | | | Seek Stimulation - Such people are often on the |
| list of some such symptoms and behavior patterns - | | | | lookout for high stimulus activities like gambling, |
| Easily Distracted - The attention span of ADD adults is | | | | paragliding or risky projects at their workplace. Such |
| very short. They are very easily distracted unless they | | | | people easily get embroiled in hot arguments with |
| are very much interested in the subject at hand. | | | | others and waste lots of precious time in fruitless |
| People are generally irritated with these people as they | | | | activities. |
| do not listen attentively during conversations and their | | | | But, to put things in the right perspective, it is important |
| minds wander off the topic being discussed. To the | | | | to realize that many great people, who have excelled |
| other person, ADD adults appear disinterested and | | | | in their fields and many times, in more than one field, |
| bored. They have difficulty in understanding directions. | | | | were ADD. Leonardo Da Vinci, Einstein and Churchill |
| They also tend to misplace things frequently. | | | | were all ADD adults. |
| Restlessness - People with ADD suffer from a feeling | | | | Many of the ADD people become high achievers in |
| of restlessness. They find it difficult to sit at one place | | | | their fields of interest because of their ability to get |
| for long and they keep on fidgeting and moving their | | | | intensely focused on something that holds their interest. |
| legs and arms, if they are required to do so. | | | | Many high achievers in medicine, law, art, science, etc., |
| Not Organized - ADD adults are poorly organized. | | | | suffer from ADD. |
| They are not able to stick to schedules, they are | | | | |