| Attention deficit disorder was formerly thought to be a | | | | A physician attempting to diagnose ADD in a child will |
| disorder only affecting children. The symptoms of | | | | conduct a thorough physical and neurological exam |
| ADD generally begin to show at or prior to the age of | | | | along with a set of psychological tests to measure |
| seven. They begin as a lack of attention and | | | | social and emotional factors as well as IQ. The |
| increasing impulsiveness. Around 3% to 5% of children | | | | diagnosis process will most likely also include |
| suffer from this neurological disorder and it is twice as | | | | observation of the patient and interviews with parents, |
| common for boys to have this disorder as girls. | | | | the patient and the patient's teachers. Being that 75% |
| Up until the last decade or so, it was thought that only | | | | of ADD cases are genetic, a family medical history |
| children suffered from attention deficit disorder. As | | | | can also be helpful in correctly diagnosing ADD. |
| more has become known about the disorder, it has | | | | Because adults are better able to communicate any |
| become clear that many adults - as much as 5% - | | | | issues they may be having, it can be easier to |
| also suffer from ADD. While they may not have been | | | | diagnose attention deficit disorder. The physician will |
| diagnosed as children, chances are they have had | | | | start with a standard physical exam to rule out any |
| ADD their entire lives. | | | | physical issues that could be the cause of your |
| Of those adults that were diagnosed with ADD as | | | | symptoms. He or she will then ask you about the |
| children approximately 10-40% continue to suffer from | | | | symptoms you have been experiencing and for how |
| the disorder as adults. The reason it often seems as | | | | long you have noticed them. Standard ADD tests will |
| though people "grow out" of ADD is most likely that | | | | also be administered which include symptom checklists |
| the adults that were diagnosed as children have | | | | and methods of testing attention-span. Your friends |
| learned coping mechanisms and skills that have helped | | | | and/or family may be asked to be interviewed to |
| them overcome many of their symptoms. | | | | discuss your symptoms and you will also be asked |
| One of the biggest problems physicians face when | | | | about problems the symptoms may have caused or |
| diagnosing ADD is that the symptoms are often the | | | | are currently causing. |
| same as symptoms caused be other disorders and | | | | As researchers and doctors learn more about |
| diseases. Head trauma, mental disorders and other | | | | attention deficit disorder, it becomes easier and easier |
| brain issues can all cause symptoms similar or identical | | | | to correctly diagnose the disorder. This is important |
| to those of attention deficit disorder. It is only through a | | | | because the earlier ADD is diagnosed, the earlier |
| series of very specific testing that ADD can be | | | | coping mechanisms can be taught and symptom |
| correctly diagnosed. | | | | treatment can begin. |