1) Is it ADD/ADHD? What's the difference?
The "official" diagnosis is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD. ADHD is broken down into different subtypes:
*Predominantly Inattentive Type>defined by an individual experiencing at least six of the following characteristics: fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes, difficulty sustaining attention, does not appear to listen, struggles to follow through on instructions, difficulty with organization, avoids or dislikes requiring sustained mental effort, often loses things necessary for tasks, easily distracted, and forgetful in daily activities.
*Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type>defined by an individual experiencing six of the following characteristics: fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat, difficulty remaining seated, runs about or climbs excessively (in adults may be limited to subjective feelings of restlessness), difficulty engaging in activities quietly, acts as if driven by a motor, talks excessively, blurts out answers before questions have been completed, difficulty waiting in turn taking situations, interrupts or intrudes upon others.
*Combined type>defined by an individual meeting both sets of attention and hyperactive/impulsive criteria.
*ADHD not otherwise specified type>defined by an individual who demonstrates some characteristics but an insufficient number of symptoms to reach a full diagnosis. These symptoms, however, disrupt everyday life.
Many people use ADD as a generic term for all types of ADHD. The term ADD has gained popularity among the public, in the media, and is even commonly used among professionals. We are basically still talking about the same thing, however we call it ADD or ADHD.
2)Who has ADHD:
Approx. 4-6% of the U.S. population has ADHD.
ADHD persists throughout a person's lifetime. It is not limited to children.
Approx. one-half to two-thirds of children with ADHD will continue to have significant problems with ADHD symptoms and behaviors as adults.
Impacts:
*jobs
*familial relationships
*social relationships
3) Definition of ADHD:
ADHD is a diagnosis applied to children and adults who consistently display certain characteristic behaviors over a period of time.
Most common core features are the following:
*distractibility-poor sustained attention to tasks
*impulsivity-impaired impulse control and delay of gratification
*hyperactivity-excessive activity and physical restlessness
In order to meet diagnostic criteria these behaviors must be excessive, long-term, and pervasive. The behaviors must appear before age 7, and continue for at least 6 months. A crucial consideration is that the behaviors must create a real handicap in at least two areas of a person's life such as school, home, work, or social settings. These criteria set ADHD apart from the "normal" distractibility and impulsive behavior of childhood, or the effects of the hectic and overstressed lifestyle prevalent in our society.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition some common symptoms of ADHD include:
*often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes
*often has difficulty sustaining attention to tasks
*often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
*often fails to follow instructions carefully and completely
*loosing or forgetting important things
*feeling restless, often fidgeting with hands or feet, or squirming
*running or climbing excessively
*often talks excessively
*often blurts out answers before hearing the whole question
*often has difficulty waiting turn
The exact nature and severity of ADHD symptoms varies from person to person. Approx. one-third of people with ADHD do not have the hyperactive or overactive behavior component, for example.
4) What the research shows about ADHD:
ADHD is not caused by:
*poor parenting
*family problems
*poor teachers or schools
*too much TV
*food allergies or excess sugar
*minor head injuries or damage to the brain
Theory still heard in the media is that refined sugar and food additives make children hyperactive and inattentive. Scientists at the National Institute of Health concluded that this may apply to only about 5% of children with ADHD, mostly either very young children or children with food allgeries.
ADHD is very likely caused by:
*biological factors
*genetic facors
Studies at NIMH using a PET (positron emission tomography) scanner to observe the brain at work have shown a link between a person's ability to pay continued attention and the the level of activity in the brain. Specifically researchers measured the level of glucose used by the areas of the brain that inhibit impulses and control attention. In people with ADHD, the brain areas that control attention used less glucose, indicating that they were less active. It appears from this research that a lower level of activity in some parts of the brain may cause inattention and other ADHD symptoms.
There is a great deal of evidence that ADHD runs in families, which is suggestive of genetic factors. If one person in a family is diagnosed with ADHD there is a 25%-35% probability that any other family member also has ADHD, compared to 4% to 6% probability for someone in the general population.
5) Treatment of ADHD:
Clinical experience has shown that the most effective treatment for ADHD is a combination of medication (when necessary), therapy or counseling to learn coping skills and adaptive behaviors, and ADD coaching for adults.
Medications is often used to help normalize brain activity, as prescribed by a physician. Stimulant medications (Ritalin, Dexedrine, Adderall) are commonly used because they have been shown to be most effective for most people with ADHD, however many other medications may also be used at the discretion of the physician.
Behavior therapy and cognitive therapy is often helpful to modify certain behaviors and to deal with the emotional affects of ADHD. Many adults also benefit from working with an ADHD coach to help manage problem behaviors and develop coping skills, such as improving organizational skills and improving productivity.
ADHD is recognized as a disability under federal legislation (the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the ADA; and the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act). Appropriate and reasonable accomodations are sometimes made at school for children with ADHD, and in the workplace for adults with ADHD, which help the individual to work more efficiently and productively.
~Information from http://www.add.org/
LITERATURE ABOUT ADHD/ADD:
- Putting Yourself in Their Shoes: Understanding teenagers with ADHD
by Harvey C. Parker, Ph.D
- You mean I'm not lazy, stupid or crazy? A self-help book for adults with ADD
by Kate Kelly and Peggy Ramundo
- Driven to Distraction: Recognizing and Coping with ADD from Childhood to Adulthood
by Edward M. Hallowell, M.D. and John J. Ratey, M.D.
- The ADDed Dimension: Celebrating the Opportunities, Rewards, and Challenges of the ADD experience
by Kate Kelly and Peggy Ramundo with Steven Ledingham.
- Barkley, Russell. "Gender is Already Implicit in the Dx of ADHD: Shouldn't It be Explicit?" The ADHD Report, April 96.
- Inattentiveness: The Quiet Disorder was originally printed in Brainworks Newsletter. Spring 1998, Vol. 11, No. 2.
- Coaching College Students with ADHD
by Patricia Quinn
- Survial Guide for College Students with ADD or LD
by
Kathleen G. Nadeau
- Chapter five in ADD & Adults: Strategies for Success from CH.A.D.D.
deals with college students and finding the right college
- A workbook to use with students is Living with ADD: A workbook for
Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder
by Roberts and Jansen
Links to other sites on the Web
National Attention Deficit Disorder Association
CHADD-Non-profit national organization for children and adults with ADD
A virtual neighborhood consolidating in one place information and resources relating to ADD/ADHD and LD learning disabilities
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Medical Research, Improved Diagnostic Methods, And Adequate Insurance Coverage Are Essential To Care For Young Children With ADHD
Guiding Principles For The Diagnosis and Treatment of ADHD Presented by NADDA.
ADD & School & Final Regulation Publication to Implement IDEA
NIH Consensus Statements, Diagnosis and Treatment of ADHD
ADD on AOL, Frequently updated information for adults, parents, and children with ADD
Everything about ADD coaching
Information about legal issues for ADDers
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