Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Overview

?Do I have ADD?? No, but you may be ADD. ADD/ADHD is a group of different combinations of temperament extremes. The intensity varies from mild to moderate to severe, and is unique for each person.
Many people say they don’t believe in ADD. Good! ADD is not a religion. Attention Deficit Disorder is a phrase, (like Learning Differences), that is officially designated to represent a combination of symptoms that are frequently seen together. ADD symptoms can cause certain types of life challenges. The symptoms each respond to specific treatments.
ADD and ADHD (with hyperactivity), are officially recognized in the American Disabilities Act, and therefore qualify for certain benefits and considerations. The benefits should especially be utilized in the school setting.
•Can I be tested for it?? No, there are no tests that reliably prove that ADD is present.
The diagnosis can be made by:
• Clinical interview with a Doctor or Therapist
• Evaluation of Symptoms
• Life consequences of symptoms
• Current level of functioning/performance
• Past history of functioning/performance
• Input from spouses, teachers, parents, etc.
Hallowell and other experts point out that ADD is not so much a deficit of attention as it is a “variability of attention.” This means that a person is able to pay attention to things that they have a high interest in. An example of this theory would be the child that cannot read a history assignment no matter how hard they try. Their mind frequently wanders and the task is not completed. But the same child can play a video game, or watch cartoons with total concentration. Why does this happen? Is it because the child chooses to do one thing and not the other? The answer is, “NO.” The more interesting, exciting activities stimulate, or turn on the brain’s concentration, and therefore satisfy the need for internal stimulation. One expert says that the ADD person is a “prisoner of the present,” because instant gratification isn’t fast enough.
Every individual has a range of stimulation within which they function well. If stimulation is too low, boredom occurs. If stimulation is too high, stress occurs. People that are ADD have a problem at both ends of the range. In other words, the ADD person needs above average stimulation, causing boredom with routine situations and tedious jobs or assignments that are low stimulation. Since they are typically unable to do one task at a time they often get stressed out.
If these problems cause the person to function below their optimal level, stimulants are proven to be very effective. Most patients prefer Adderall XR (which is effective about 8-12 hours) or Concerta (which is effective about 12 hours). Both Adderall XR and Concerta are three times more effective than Strattera, which is a drug that only works on Norepinephrine and is not a stimulant.