Signs of Adult ADD

Attention deficit disorder (ADD), or more widely termed by mental health professionals as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), affects an estimated 4.4 percent of adults. More commonly diagnosed in school age children, ADD in adults can create challenges in performing daily tasks, maintaining personal relationships and functioning effectively at work.

Common Symptoms

• ADD can present itself in a variety of ways and at varying levels of severity. The most common symptoms, however, generally include distractedness, difficulty completing a task, impulsiveness, inattentiveness, trouble falling asleep, trouble waking up, and starting too many projects and seldom finishing any of them. An adult suffering ADD may also have a history of problematic or failed relationships (social or romantic) and may have difficulty holding a job and keeping appointments. Along with these restless tendencies, an adult with an attention problem may look for quick, rather than long-term, solutions to a problem. Daily responsibilities, like going to work and maintaining the house, can be challenging.

  Since an adult with ADD tends to focus only on the things that interest him, he may disregard other important tasks and responsibilities, resulting in impaired social and organizational skills at work and other settings.

ADD Defined

• ADD is a neurological condition involving the dopamine transmitting system in the brain that translates into behavioral patterns that can be disruptive to day-to-day functioning. The cause of most cases is believed to be genetic, but there is some indication that ADD in some patients is linked to environmental exposures (like lead intoxication), physical conditions (a thyroid disorder orfetal alcohol syndrome) or head trauma. Adults diagnosed with ADD tend to have had the same symptoms throughout childhood.

Diagnosis and Treatment

• A checklist of symptoms is not conclusive in diagnosing ADD. A physical exam can help rule out other possible causes of the symptoms, then a referral can be made to a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist. The mental health assessment may include interviews with the patient's spouse, family members and friends. A proper diagnosis can lead to effective treatment, which may involve psychotherapy, medication or both. Psychotherapy can reveal sources of underlying symptoms, such as low self-image, and a qualified professional can help teach skills necessary to copying with ADD, such as organizational skills and time management.