Conservative estimates suggest that at least 14 million Americans suffer from a disorder typified by difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, irritability, disorganization, and inability to follow directions or pay attention. The Journal of the American Medical Association (Vol. 279, No. 14) said the data for this disorder is more compelling than that for most mental disorders and for many medical conditions. Still, it remains a hotly debated issue, especially where treatment modalities are concerned.
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) is thought to be a neurobiological disability, but its causes are still unknown. Many adults - especially women - suffer from AD/HD because they were never diagnosed as children, or were diagnosed but assumed to have outgrown AD/HD in adolescence. This is because the hyperactivity often diminishes during the teen years, but other symptoms remain.
A typical ADD person, according to Bob Seay, ADD website guide for About.com, can't get organized; is easily distracted; may be involved in several projects at once; has difficulty completing things; has an inaccurate sense of time; suffers from mood swings; doesn't adequately allocate his time and other resources; and is usually creative, talented and intelligent. (Please visit Bob's site at http://www.add.about.com/health/add/libr... for more details about symptoms and much more information. It is an excellent resource.)
If these symptoms sound familiar, visit Dr. Grohol's Mental Health Page at http://psychcentral.com/addquiz.htm and take the Adult ADD Quiz there. This is not meant to be used as a diagnostic tool, but can indicate whether a visit to an appropriate mental health provider for an official evaluation might be indicated.
Girls and women are often misdiagnosed, according to Kathleen G. Nadeau, Ph.D., editor of ADDvance Magazine, because their symptoms are masked. Sometimes they are diagnosed with depression, a disease that commonly coexists with ADD. Women with ADD also frequently suffer from anxiety and low self-esteem, and a sense of being constantly overwhelmed by daily demands. (See Dr. Nadeau's full article at http://www.add.org/content/women/addvanc... for more details about women and ADD.)
Evaluation by a health care professional is comprehensive. Since other biological and psychological conditions can mimic or exacerbate the symptoms of ADD or AD/HD, evaluation requires a series of assessments. This includes a medical exam, hearing and vision screenings, and an assessment of academic, social and emotional functioning and developmental level.
Treatment for ADD includes medication, psychotherapy and coaching. While more severe cases may require medication to be brought under control, individuals with milder symptoms often can be helped through therapy and coaching, which allow them to understand the disorder and their specific symptoms and triggers. Thus, they can develop strategies for avoiding triggers or coping more effectively with symptoms.
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