1. What is ADD?
ADHD is a neurobiological disorder located in the prefrontal cortex,
and it is also a type of brain wiring different than the general
population. It can be considered a disorder and a gift, and it
affects all areas of functioning to a degree. But the main area of life
it will affect is your executive function, or the area of the brain
that organizes, plans and executes goals.
What is generally focused on with ADHD is a short attention span, or
the inability to focus for long periods of time. People with ADD
have minds that tend to wander, drift and get distracted by other
things. What is very interesting about ADD is that sufferers can pay
attention very well to things that are new, very stimulating,
interesting or upsetting. These events provide enough stimulation
in and of themselves that they activate the part of the brain that
enables concentration. This is because people with ADD do not
have enough adrenaline and need this in order to focus.
People with ADD have trouble paying attention to daily, routine
activities that do not provide high stimulation such as chores,
homework, and paperwork. Unfortunately, these activities are
everywhere and are needed in order to function in society.
2. What is the difference between ADD and ADHD?
Attention Deficit Disorder is a very complex, and often times
misunderstood, disorder. Its basis is physiological, but it can have a
host of ramifications that come along with it. That aside, what are the
differences between ADD and ADHD? ADHD stands for Attention Deficit
Hyperactive Disorder, with the main symptoms being visible
hyperactivity and/or impulsivity. These are the symptoms that
stand out to the objective observer. ADD stands for Attention
Deficit Disorder with the main symptoms being inattention. Now
many other things can come along with both of these subtypes of ADHD,
but those are the distinguishing features of both.
For many years, the typical picture of Attention Deficit Disorder has
been the little boy that is bouncing off the walls and driving his
teachers and parents crazy. ADHD is by far the most diagnosed of
the two subtypes because it is so much more visible than ADD. Since
hyperactivity creates a lot more distraction and problems for
classrooms, it gets the most attention and will be picked up on a lot
faster. Unfortunately, even though ADD is less invisible, the results
of the disorder can just as destructive.
With inattentive attention deficit disorder, or ADD, the person
suffering from it will seem spacey and disorganized. Most often,
sufferers with this type will be staring out the window during classes
and will appear as if they are never quite present. It is much
more difficult to diagnose and many people with this form of ADD go
years without even knowing they have it. But the results of the
wandering mind can be just as destructive.
3. What about Adult ADD?
For many years, ADHD was thought to be a child disorder, and more
specifically a disorder only found in young boys. But with medical
technology and research evolving, it has been found that many children
with ADD do not grow out of it when they become adults. Although
some of the hyperactivity tends to decrease, the core symptoms of the
disorder do not disappear. Hyperactivity can turn into impulsivity in
adulthood, which can potentially be very destructive.
92 percent of adults diagnosed with ADHD who were treated after age 18
wish they had been diagnosed sooner, according to research done by
Harris Interactive surveys. Research also indicated that 90
percent of teachers felt that late diagnosis affected both academic and
social development in students.
Keith Londrie II is a well known author. For more information on ADHD, please visit living-with-adhd.us/ ADHD for a wealth of information. You may also want to visit keith's own web site at keithlondrie.com/keithlondrie.com/