How to Live with ADD

Attention Deficit Disorder is characterized by a diminished attention span, difficulty in social settings and trouble completing tasks in general. Children are most often diagnosed with the disorder, but that doesn't mean adults don't also deal with the condition. It is important to treat ADD so that you can live a full and productive life, but it is possible to live comfortably even when you first start treatment.

Things You'll Need

• Advice of a medical professional

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Instructions

Live with ADD

• 1

  Keep your friends and family informed about your condition and ask them to participate in treatment. If your child is the one who has to live with ADD, then make sure her network of teachers, friends and doctors is kept abreast of her treatment and progress.

• 2

  Stay very patient with family members who are suffering from ADD. There may be times when they are acting like they are ignoring you or simply aren't interested in what you have to say, but this is often not the case. Attention Deficit Disorder makes it very difficult for them to concentrate on any one thing for an appreciable period of time.

• 3

  Remove constant distractions from the environment. If you know you need to get work done but can't help but turn on the television, go in another room or move the television or unplug it. Sometimes drastic measures need to be taken to help secure focus.

• 4

  Prepare yourself a calendar or an organizer and train yourself to use it. Turning to an organizer can help you remember important dates or tasks, and building a habit of using such a tool can actually make it possible to live comfortably with attention deficit disorder.

• 5

  Learn to recognize symptoms as they are occurring and take steps to minimize them. This can be as simple as taking a breath and refocusing your attention or it could be as complex as taking medication to counteract the effects of ADD.