| ADHD is a neurobiological disorder located in | | | | extraneous sounds such as traffic sounds, the |
| the prefrontal cortex, and it is also a type | | | | birds outside, people around us, etc. But |
| of brain wiring different than the general | | | | people with ADD often have trouble blocking |
| population. It can be considered a disorder | | | | these things out due to their |
| and a gift, and it affects all areas of | | | | hypersensitivity. This is most likely due to |
| functioning to a degree. But the main area of | | | | the under-activity in their prefrontal |
| life it will affect is your executive | | | | cortex. |
| function, or the area of the brain that | | | | |
| organizes, plans and executes goals. | | | | Organization is a very common problem for |
| | | | people with ADD, specifically issues with |
| What is generally focused on with ADHD is a | | | | projects involving, time, space and long-term |
| short attention span, or the inability to | | | | projects. Disorganization involving space is |
| focus for long periods of time. People with | | | | what causes the extreme messiness of ADDers, |
| ADD have minds that tend to wander, drift and | | | | and why they may have trouble keeping things |
| get distracted by other things. What is very | | | | neat even after they have cleaned. It is |
| interesting about ADD is that sufferers can | | | | something that others surrounding people with |
| pay attention very well to things that are | | | | ADD really have trouble with, and many times |
| new, very stimulating, interesting or | | | | cannot understand or accept. The problems |
| upsetting. These events provide enough | | | | ADDers have with keeping things clean extends |
| stimulation in and of themselves that they | | | | to their whole life, especially in the area |
| activate the part of the brain that enables | | | | of long-term planning. Many people with ADD |
| concentration. This is because people with | | | | live from crisis to crisis, or from worry to |
| ADD do not have enough adrenaline and need | | | | worry. These stimulating events provide the |
| this in order to focus. | | | | focus that mundane planning does not. |
| | | | |
| People with ADD have trouble paying attention | | | | Poor follow through is an extension of the |
| to daily, routine activities that do not | | | | inability to organize, and is also a real |
| provide high stimulation such as chores, | | | | burden on an ADDer's life. Many people with |
| homework, and paperwork. Unfortunately, | | | | ADD have an overabundance of ideas that seem |
| these activities are everywhere and are | | | | very interesting and stimulating in the |
| needed in order to function in society. | | | | beginning. But it is when the details and |
| | | | preparation come into play that sufferers of |
| Another prevalent aspect of ADHD is | | | | ADD have problems. Any interest or passion |
| distractibility. This is often confused with | | | | that requires long-term attention and |
| having a short attention span, but it is | | | | maintenance will cause the ADDer to lose |
| actually a hypersensitivity to the | | | | interest, even if it is something they enjoy. |
| environment around you. People with regular | | | | This is where counseling and medication may |
| brain wiring do not have trouble blocking out | | | | be of help. |