How to Recognize Adult Attention Deficit Disorder

Many adults go untreated for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) because they think it's just a child's disease. They don't realize that the overwhelming stresses they're fighting are not a normal part of life. Many adult sufferers who are diagnosed and treated (many without drugs) for ADD are astonished to realize that understanding their ADD will make their lives and jobs and relationships more manageable and more enjoyable.

Instructions

• 1

  Know the symptoms of adult ADD. It's characterized by an inability to stay focused and on task, to attend to details, to remember things they should or to keep still or silent. Not all adults with ADD are hyperactive but many report feeling driven to do certain things (though, again, not necessarily the most important things).

• 2

  Understand that those with ADD are not lazy, stupid or unconcerned with their problems. Most put an enormous amount of time and energy in trying to get and stay organized. Most persons with ADD are of above average intelligence.

• 3

  Know that the ADD mind can't prioritize automatically as others can. They must make an effort to sort through thoughts, tasks or sensory input to determine which things are worth their attention and which are not. They are paying more attention than most people but they are getting much less out of it.

• 4

  Understand the shift in adult ADD behavior as opposed to childhood. As adults, those with ADD tend to have more internal (thinking) symptoms than behavioral ones. This is why they often go undiagnosed for many years. So much of their battle is waged behind the scenes that they don't often realize that this is not normal for others.

• 5

  Know that those with ADD problems often have very low self esteem. They tend to feel that they are stupid, lazy or inept in some way. They can have problems with relationships because of that.

• 6

  Realize that adults with ADD have a brain chemistry problem. It doesn't go away (although children with ADD sometimes outgrow its symptoms as they get older) but there is plenty that can be done to make life easier. Learning new ways to do things and getting as much external organization (calendars, day planners, closet and drawer organizers) as you can will help a great deal. If you think you may have adult ADD, go and be tested by a professional.(There are many, many differences in diagnoses and you need to know your strengths and weaknesses to really get a handle on it. Your life can only get easier.