What does adult ADD feel like?
Susan, an administrative assistant and mother, feels overwhelmed
with her responsibilities at work and home. At work, she finds
it nearly impossible to focus her thoughts. Her desk is a mess;
her papers and projects lie about in total disorganization. She
constantly fidgets and taps her foot when she is sitting at her
desk. Often, she misses deadlines because she finds it difficult
to complete her assignments. She is constantly losing important
pieces of information and she has been reprimanded by her boss
about her performance. At home, Susan has trouble keeping up
with the needs of her husband and children. She finds it
difficult to remember the dates and times of her children's
activities. She forgets to complete simple tasks like paying the
electric bill or picking up the laundry. She is constantly
losing her keys and her purse. Her family feels that she never
listens to them because she often appears so unfocused. Her
behavior has caused her family to feel distant from her.
Susan has Adult Attention Deficit Disorder or (Adult ADD). Adult
ADD symptoms are similar, but not exactly the same, to those
seen in children. When exhibited in children, symptoms of
Attention Deficit Disorder include inattention, hyperactivity,
and impulsivity. In adults, the element of hyperactivity often
diminishes and is replaced by restlessness or fidgeting. Until
the 1970s, it was believed that Attention Deficit Disorder was
strictly a childhood disorder, and that children outgrew it in
adolescence. Only gradually was it realized that while the
hyperactivity component may disappear, the attention and
impulsive aspects can persist into adulthood. By understanding
what ADD is, one can understand how to begin treating it.
The symptoms of Adult ADD interfere with success at work, home,
and in social settings. Many adults do not realize that they
have Adult ADD until their own child is diagnosed with the
disorder. Often, adults realize that what they are experiencing
is a pattern of problems they have faced since childhood. They
are relieved that there is a name for the frustration they have
been feeling all of their lives, and that there are therapies
and treatments designed to help them cope with Attention Deficit
Disorder.
Patrick, a real estate agent, often feels restless. His mind is
always racing with thoughts of the business he needs to take
care of. He is constantly on the go, and he feels incapable of
relaxation. He juggles several projects at once, though he
rarely has the focus to complete tasks on time. He finds it
difficult to sit still. At his desk, he constantly taps his
pencil and shakes his leg. As a child, he was called
hyperactive, and he had difficulty concentrating in school.
Patrick has adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Adult ADHD possesses many of the same characteristics as adult
ADD (difficulty concentrating, disorganization, and impulsivity)
with the addition of hyperactivity. Adults with Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder often have a compulsion to stay
busy and on the go. They may find that they can't seem to relax
or slow down their thoughts. They may also have difficulty
sleeping.
Like adults who have been diagnosed with adult ADD, those
diagnosed with adult ADHD often experience a sense of relief
that what they have been experiencing has a name and treatment
plan. The recent compilation of adult ADHD information can
provide individuals with the data they need to begin a treatment
plan and begin feeling better.
ADD/ADHD Symptom Reference
Often, adults have symptoms of both ADD and ADHD. By examining
Attention Deficit Disorder Symptoms, it becomes easier to
identify if a treatment plan may be necessary.
ADD Symptoms and/or ADHD symptoms:
fidgeting with hands or feet difficulty remaining seated being
easily distracted by extraneous stimuli difficulty awaiting turn
in games or group activities blurting out answers before
questions are completed difficulty in following instructions
difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities
shifting from one incomplete task to another talking excessively
interrupting or intruding on others not listening to what is
being said forgetting things necessary for tasks or activities
engaging in physically dangerous activities without considering
possible consequences The ADD symptoms of Attention Deficit
Disorder and ADHD are further broken into three specific
categories, each with a specific clinical presentation that can
better describe behavior.
Types of ADD / ADHD These ADD symptoms of Attention Deficit
Disorder and ADHD categories are Inattentive Type (classic
Attention Deficit Disorder), Hyperactive/Impulsive Type (classic
Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder) and Combined Type (a
combination of inattentive and hyperactive).
Inattention ADD symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder: fails to
give close attention to details makes careless mistakes in
schoolwork, work, or other activities has difficulty sustaining
attention in tasks or activities becomes easily distracted by
irrelevant sights, sounds and extraneous stimuli does not seem
to listen when spoken to directly does not follow through on
instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties
in the workplace has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
avoids tasks, such as schoolwork or homework, which require
sustained mental effort loses things necessary for tasks or
activities, like school assignments, pencils, books, or tools is
forgetful in daily activities rarely follows instructions
carefully and completely People with ADD symptoms of Attention
Deficit Disorder who are inattentive display difficulty keeping
their mind on any one thing. They may get bored easily and move
from one task to the next, without any completion. Organizing
and completing a task proves troublesome, though they may give
undivided and effortless attention to activities and topics they
enjoy. People with ADD symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder
often find that focusing deliberate, conscious attention to
learning something new is extremely difficult.
Hyperactivity/Impulsive ADHD symptoms of Attention Deficit
Disorder: fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat runs
about excessively in situations in where it is inappropriate has
difficulty acting quietly in leisure activities is often "on the
go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor" talks excessively
blurts out answers before hearing the entire question interrupts
or intrudes on others feels and acts restless
Is ADD a real disorder?
Most people experience distraction, restlessness, and
impulsiveness at one time or another. Because of this, there is
controversy as to whether ADD is an actual disorder at all. What
distinguishes those with ADD from those who do not have the
disorder is the frequency and intensity of these symptoms, as
well as the negative impact on one's life.
Studies have shown that the physiology of those with ADD differs
from that of those who do not have the disorder . The area of
the brain that controls impulsiveness is smaller in those
affected with ADD. PET scans reveal that boys with ADD have much
higher levels of blood flow in their brains than their non-ADD
peers when tasks involving thinking were being performed, and
lower blood flow the rest of the time. Researchers found that
children with ADD had considerably lower levels of key fatty
acids, such as omega-3, in their bloodstream. This lack of fatty
acids has been linked with memory loss, temper tantrums, sleep
disturbances, hyperactivity, and learning difficulties.
Many more studies are being conducted every day to help
diagnose, treat, and ultimately cure ADD. If a child is
unsuccessful in school, they will not be able to meet the
demands of education as they get older. In turn, they will not
be able to achieve the goals that he or she sets for themselves
in the job market. This, coupled with a lack of impulse control,
can lead to very real problems for those suffering from ADD as
well as society as a whole. Adults with ADD often find it
difficult to maintain employment or long-term relationships.
They find themselves feeling deprived of a "normal" life. ADD is
a very real issue, and to begin treating the disorder, one must
first understand it.