Coping with
Adult ADD - The Fundamentals You Need to Know
Dr. Bill Morgan
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is the term used for a
neurological condition marked by difficulties with
attention and concentration and usually difficulties with
self-control and overactivity or restlessness. It is also
known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
because many individuals with ADD are or were overactive
and impulsive. About 5% of all people have ADD.
ADD is recognized by mental health professionals as one of
the most common disorders of childhood, and was previously
thought to resolve in adolescence. Over the past decade
there has been a growing awareness that for many if not
most individuals with ADD it persists into adulthood.
Effective treatment for adult ADD is a relatively new area
of study.
ADD affects many aspects of life. It affects academic and
vocational success, personal and family relationships,
emotions and self-esteem. ADD individuals often share a
number of positive qualities such as creativity,
spontaneity, inventiveness, and sensitivity to others. But
it also leads to disorganization, procrastination,
difficulty with task completion, and feeling overwhelmed.
The Nature of ADD
ADD is commonly described as a disorder consisting of
chronic difficulties in the areas of
attention/concentration, impulsivity, and overactivity. In
addition to these "core" symptoms, other symptoms and
problems include distractibility, forgetfulness, lack of
persistence with tasks, frequent boredom, failure to delay
speech or action when appropriate, fidgetiness,
restlessness, being "always on the go," disorganization,
difficulty coping with stressful situations, temper
outbursts, and frequently changing moods. Not every ADD
individual displays all these symptoms. Some ADD
individuals have mainly the attentional difficulties and do
not have the overactivity and impulsivity. These symptoms
frequently lead to low self-esteem, problems with planning
and executing tasks, a disorganized lifestyle, poor
problem-solving skills, frequent job or relationship
changes, social and relationship difficulties, a chronic
pattern of underachievement, and/or inconsistency in work
production and performance. Children often display problems
with behavior, socialization, and school performance. Many
individuals with ADD may have a coexisting problem such as
anxiety or depression, a learning disability, or
drug/alcohol abuse. It may be that they focus on and seek
help for this problem, not recognizing its link to ADD.
Causes
ADD is widely recognized among experts as having a
biological, neurological basis. It is currently understood
as the result of a part or parts of the brain not
regulating self-control of attention, impulses, and
activity level as it should, likely due in part to a lack
of certain neurochemicals. While it is usually an inherited
condition, it may be exacerbated by environmental and other
factors such as parenting, adversity, or educational
environment. Progression
ADD individuals are generally born with ADD. It usually
becomes manifest in early childhood. Often it becomes more
apparent during elementary school years because of the
demands of school experience. For some individuals it may
not become apparent until later in life. During adolescence
changes in the ADD manifestation often occur. It may be
less outwardly obvious, especially when hyperactivity
diminishes. For some individuals, it seems to end. For the
majority, it usually continues to impact in many ways
throughout adulthood, although greater control may be
achieved in various ways. Diagnosis
ADD is widespread in our society. It seems males are much
more likely to be diagnosed with ADD than females. There is
no definitive test for ADD, and it is one of the most
difficult diagnoses to assess. ADD can only be diagnosed by
a mental health or medical clinician trained and
experienced in the area of ADD. Comprehensive interviews
covering childhood and adult history of academics,
relationships, behavior, etc. are necessary to establish a
diagnosis. Rating scales and certain tests are often
helpful and employed. Because the main symptoms of ADD
overlap with other conditions as well as with "normal"
experience, a qualified professional is required to rule
out other conditions that may produce symptoms resembling
ADD. ADD should not be self-diagnosed. If you think you
have ADD it is recommended that you consult a professional.
Treatment
ADD is not an all or nothing condition, but occurs in
degrees. It is possible to have a mild case that can be
relatively easy to manage. Some people have severe symptoms
and problems that can impair their functioning greatly.
Even severe ADD can, with effort, medication, and support,
be managed effectively.
People with moderate to severe problems related to ADD
should consider treatment with a professional with training
and experience in ADD. Medications can be helpful.
Counseling is often indicated to deal not only with the
symptoms, but also the resulting issues related to
emotions, self-esteem, relationships, work performance,
school performance, etc. Parent counseling has been shown
to be effective in helping children with ADD. Coaching is
another service providing support for ADD. Greater
effectiveness and reaching of potential can be had. There
is much that can be done to help the individual struggling
with ADD.
Learning new ways to gain control of ADD-related problems
is an important part of coping with ADD. A first step is to
gain insight and understanding of how ADD impacts in your
life. This understanding can then be used to identify the
challenges and eventually to develop new strategies and
skills for dealing with your (or your child's) ADD symptoms
and problems. An ADD coach or therapist specializing in the
treatment of ADD can be very helpful in this process.
About the Author
William Morgan, Psy.D. is a psychologist and ADD coach in
the greater Philadelphia area. For more information on his
e-book TIPS ON THE MANAGEMENT OF ADULT ADD go to
www.ManageADD.com/ebook.html or visit his website at
www.ManageADD.com for other helpful resources.
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