Issue Date: August 21, 2005
Do you have adult ADHD?
Simply standing in line is trouble for millions afflicted -- and undiagnosed.
The acronym "ADD" (which stands for Attention Deficit Disorder) has come to label anyone who is disorganized or doesn't pay attention. Using that description, many of my male friends and I have been diagnosed with ADD by our wives!
In fact, the symptoms of ADD -- more accurately called ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder -- are quite common, exhibited by all of us from time to time. These behaviors, while perhaps not acceptable to a spouse, are normal.
What distinguishes ADHD from typical behavior is the magnitude of symptoms; behaviors are so amplified that they routinely impair functioning at school, home or work as well as in social settings. It's all a matter of degree.
So what is ADHD? Scientists believe it is a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. The hallmark of the disorder is when one (or more) of these behaviors becomes disruptive to daily life. Although the cause is unknown, a genetic tendency has been suggested.
If you think you have ADHD, it's important to be diagnosed and monitored by a professional. There is no "cure." Medication is effective for many, but you will want to make other treatments part of your strategy. Psychotherapy (to help you understand why you act the way you do), counseling (to develop stress management and other skills) and even regular exercise have been touted as tools for dealing with ADHD. Used together, they're effective.
Talk to your doctor. Your situation is unique, but she can help you choose the course of action that's right for you.
Contributing Editor Tedd Mitchell, M.D., is the medical director of the Wellness Program at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas.
Quick quiz
Screen yourself. "Yes" answers point to ADHD.
- Impulsiveness: Do you have difficulty waiting your turn or waiting in line? Do you answer people before they finish asking their questions? Do you find it difficult to control yourself around others?
- Inattention: Do you have difficulty focusing on a task, paying attention or following instructions? Is it because you get bored or easily distracted?
- Hyperactivity: Do you have difficulty sitting still --or, as my father puts it, "Do you make coffee nervous?" Do you feel a constant need to roam, whether at home, work or school?
- Dysfunction: Do these behaviors disrupt your life? Many with ADHD find their conduct curtails success and the ability to function.
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