Symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder

Most people have heard about ADD and ADHD in children, and many have strong opinions about how these conditions should and should not be handled by schools and doctors. But did you know that adults also struggle with Attention Deficit Disorder?

ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) are marked by three categories of symptoms:

• Inattention. ADD/ADHD sufferers have trouble focusing and maintaining the same level of attention as their peers.

• Hyperactivity. Activities that require stillness are especially difficult for ADD/ADHD people.

• Impulsivity. People with ADD/ADHD lack the ability to control sudden impulses to do things, speak, or move.

It is not necessary for all three categories of symptoms to be present in order for a diagnosis of ADD or ADHD to be made. People with ADD can have symptoms in only of these categories, or in several, or in all three.

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Some of the more common symptoms of ADD and ADHD include:

• Fidgeting, squirming, or having trouble remaining seated.
• Difficulty waiting.
• Difficulty following instructions.
• Blurting out answers before questions are completed.
• Excessive talking, and/or excessive interrupting of others.
• Difficulty listening to others.
• Difficulty completing tasks.
• Chronic forgetfulness.
• Loses things frequently.

ADD/ADHD are controversial diagnoses and most clinicians will want to make absolutely sure that a diagnosis of ADD or ADHD really fits, no matter if it is an adult or a child who is having the problems. Usually a physician or a mental health professional will look for four basic criteria to be met before diagnosing ADD or ADHD:

• At least some of the symptoms of ADD or ADHD must have been present before age 7.

• ADD or ADHD symptoms must be present in at least two separate settings; for example, home and work, home and school, play and school, school and work.

• The ADD/ADHD symptoms must be causing an obvious impairment of functioning in these settings.

• The ADD/ADHD symptoms cannot be accounted for by any other condition or any outside reasons. (Several physical and emotional conditions do mimic ADD/ADHD symptoms).

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Self-diagnosis of ADD/ADHD symptoms is tempting but not recommended. Adults or children who are coping with the symptoms of ADD/ADHD should be thoroughly examined by a physician and/or mental health professional to rule out physical illness or other emotional or mental illnesses.

Often situational or behavioral problems provide a more reasonable explanation for the difficulties, and when this is true, medication and other treatments for ADHD will not be appropriate or effective.

Behavioral problems are most effectively managed through behavioral methods, not medication. Situational problems can arise that cause ADD-like symptoms in otherwise normal children and adults (for example, a boring class, a poor employment ‘fit’). If ADD/ADHD is diagnosed too quickly or too easily, the patient runs the risk of being medicated for a problem that is really external, not mental or physiological.

ADD/ADHD symptoms do seem to have a physiological origin however, and often ADD/ADHD will overlap with anxiety disorders and/or depression. Getting an accurate diagnosis is essential to finding treatment options that will actually work. For example, if ADD is treated but an underlying depressive or anxiety disorder is treated, the results will not be satisfactory.

In a similar way, people who are in treatment for depression or anxiety often discover that their symptoms are not fully relieved until and companion diagnosis of ADD is made and that condition is treated as well.

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