Arriving at a hard and fast diagnosis of ADD can be rather tricky, because there is no foolproof “test” for the disorder. Before you run off and proclaim to you or your loved one has ADD, make sure that your diagnosis is correct.
The issue is, ADD symptoms are non-specific, which means the condition is easily confused with other mental disorders like depression, bipolar disorder and substance abuse. In fact, ADD has been found to exhibit “co-morbidity” with these disorders, which means that ADD can actually lead to depression, bipolar disorder and substance abuse if left untreated. The best port of call is to get an opinion from a mental health professional to confirm your suspicions of adult ADD.
If you or your loved one has ADD, it probably existed since childhood. Statistics also show that up to 60% of children diagnosed with ADD in early childhood continue to demonstrate ADD symptoms in adulthood. The actual number is probably higher, because so many cases are misdiagnosed. If you or your loved one has ADD, you are not alone- about 15 million American men, women and children are suspected of having ADD and most of them do not know they have it.
According to Dr. Edward Hallowell in his book, Driven to Distraction, Children with ADD may exhibit the certain behavioral problems.
Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat (in adolescents or adults) and may be limited to subjective feelings of restlessness.
Has difficulty remaining in seat when asked to do so.
Family history of AD/HD or manic-depressive illness or depression or substance abuse or other disorders of impulse control or mood.
Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type. The person fidgets and talks a lot. It is hard to sit still for long (e.g., for a meal or while doing homework). Someone who is impulsive may interrupt others a lot, grab things from people, or speak at inappropriate times. It is hard for the person to wait their turn or listen to directions. A person with impulsiveness may have more accidents and injuries than others.
Although a diagnosis of ADD can be quite shocking to you and your family, you can also sigh with relief for you now finally have a medical explanation for you or your loved one’s bizarre behavior! What’s more, you can now start to take steps to help manage the disorder. Remember that ADD is not a diagnosis that implies low intelligence. In fact, most people with ADD are actually highly intelligent; it’s just that their intelligence gets tangled up inside and needs to be smoothed out for the person to function optimally.
Valdizán, JR; Izaguerri-Gracia, AC (2009). “Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults”. Revista de neurologia 48 Suppl 2: S95–9.
Katragadda, S; Schubiner, H (2007). “ADHD in Children, Adolescents, and Adults”. Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice 34: 317–341..