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.


What does ADHD feel like?
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


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Arthur Buchanan



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Out of Darkness & Into the Light
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