What is ADD: Attention Defecit Disorder and its Symptomes

What is ADD/ Attention Defecit Disorder?

ADD means, 'Attention Deficit Disorder', and is a diagnostic term for a disorder characterized by inattentiveness, distractibility, and impulsivity. Approximately 3 up to 5 % of the child population has been diagnosed with AD(H)D. ADHD in adults is not talked about much, but it's a problem that may affect up to 2% of the adult population, admittedly a high-end estimate. More than 8 million adults in the US are estimated to have ADHD, making it the most common psychological problem after depression.

ADD can present itself either with hyperactivity, usually reffered to as ADHD, or without hyperactivity commenly called ADD. People with ADD have trouble at paying attention in situations in which this is expected of them. This happens not only at school, but also at home or when they are playing with friends. They are often disorderly and unorganized and because of easy distractibility, they produce untidy surroundings, sloppy dress, unfinished assignments, and careless reading and writing habits. As such their behavior can cause a serious problem both to themselves and to their surroundings.

What Causes Attention Deficit Disorder?
Over the last years considerable research has been done into this subject. ADD has to do with small differences in the brain (different from the largest part of the population). Probably 2 neurotransmitters, which cooperate at sending information between several parts of the brain, function differently. Specifically in the area which is responsible for attention/concentration and inciting to activity. So one has to be fully aware that it is an neurological condition! So one should be aware that it is no "sickness" of the will, no moral failing, not a weakness in character or immaturity. Only in some ADD cases possibly alcohol abuse at pregnancy, a heavy accident or early birth has contributed to its development.

ADD is genetically transferred (for 80%) by parents or grandparents and has a biological cause. This means that when there is a history of ADHD in the family there is an increased risk that new born children will also have ADHD. It is often said that the 'wiring' of the brain is different. The processing of information in the brain is probably the main cause of their derogatory behavior.

Information of the Surroundings <-> Processing in the Brain <-> Behavior

Research shows that the problem is not as much centered on being able to receive information, but the differences occur when information is processing into behavior. Moreover children with ADHD appear to have more difficulties at:

• directing their behavior by means of feedback
• remembering information
• valuing time
• oppressing unimportant information (filtering information)
• postponing any desires

Diagnosis:

In 1994, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV), subdivided ADHD into subtypes: predominantly inattentive type; predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type; and combined type.

• Six or more symptoms of inattention, including having a short attention span; making careless mistakes; not seeming to listen; not following through; not finishing projects; being disorganized, impulsive, and forgetful; or frequently losing or misplacing objects.
• Six or more symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity, including being fidgety, not being able to sit still, having inner feelings of restlessness, being always on the go, talking too much, being impatient, blurting things out, or often interrupting.

Symptoms must be present before age 7; interfere with ability to function in occupational, academic, or social settings; persist for more than 6 months; manifest in multiple settings; and not be accounted for by other disorders.

Currently, there are three subtypes of ADHD recognized by the American Psychiatric Association (1994). The predominantly inattentive type is characterized by significant inattention and distractibility but fewer than six symptoms of hyperactivity or impulsivity. Children with the predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type of the disorder experience considerable difficulty inhibiting excessive behaviors but do not have substantial attentional problems. The combined type of ADHD differs from the other subtypes in that significant levels of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention are all present (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). The DSM IV enlists the following symptoms of ADHD under section A.:

(1) Symptoms of inattention

Inattention

1. often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in
   schoolwork, work, or other activities
2. often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities
3. often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
4. often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork,
   chores, or duties in the workplace
5. often has difficulty in organizing tasks and activities
6. often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained
   mental effort
7. often looses things necessary for tasks or activities
8. is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
9. is often forgetful in daily activities

(2) Symptoms of Hyperactivity-impulsivity

Hyperactivity

1. often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat
2. Often leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated isexpected
3. Often runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which it is inappropriate
4. Often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly
5. Is often “on the go” or often acts as if “driven by a motor”
6. Often talks excessively

Impulsivity

1. often blurts out answers before questions have been completed
2. often has difficulty awaiting turn
3. often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g. butts into conversation or games).

People with ADHD may successfully self-impose structure; they sit through a meeting just fine, or don't interrupt while someone else is talking. But so much of their energy goes into exercising self-control that they may have a hard time taking in the content of the meeting or what the person is saying. Having to continually compensate for serious symptoms can be draining and sink a person into a welter of work and family problems.