Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is the most common mental disorders of childhood and affects 3 to 6 percent of the child population (about 3.5 million kids) in the United States. Approximately 15 million people in the United States have Attention Deficit Disorder, but there are many aspects of this disorder that many people are not even aware of.
Attention Deficit Disorder is a neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system, as well as the motivational system. ADD affects two important parts of the brain that are connected with the ability to pay attention and the ability to regulate motor activity. ADD is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. There is a deficiency in the brains' ability to produce and use certain chemicals called transmitter substances (neurotransmitters). It is said to be hereditary, in fact more than one third of the parents of an ADD child had ADD when they were children and as many as 75% of children diagnosed with ADD have a least one relative who has it (be it a parent, sibling, or uncle).
The behavioral aspects of ADD are very similar and intertwine between three main categories, in which many symptoms and characteristics fall into. These categories are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Inattention means failure to pay attention and the characteristics involved with this category are all symptoms of an inattentive person. Hyperactivity means the state or condition of being excessively or pathologically active. All the subcategories of hyperactivity have to do with the inability to keep still and the actions a person with ADD might do because of their restless traits. Impulsivity means actuated by or prone to act on impulse. The subcategories of impulsivity are actions that are a result to acting on impulse.
Attention Deficit Disorder is not a learning disability, although many people consider it one. The definition of a learning disability is any of various disorders that interfere in the understanding of language (spoken or written), including difficulties in listening, thinking, talking, reading, writing, spelling, or arithmetic. ADD obviously affects a person's performance in a school setting and how they learn, but it will also affect other domains of life. These include relationships with others, how well organized your room and possessions, how you keep track of your finances, and managing most other areas of one's life.
There are three distinct forms of Attention Deficit Disorder. Outwardly Expressive ADD, Inwardly Directed ADD, and Highly Structured ADD. These three are not set types for every person; a person can have a combination of these three types.
Outwardly Expressive ADD is a type of ADD where a person communicates so that everyone knows what he or she is feeling. This behavior is characterized by hyperactivity, impulsive behaviors, a low frustration threshold, high level risk taking, difficulty with long term projects, little interest in details, lack of temper control, expressive moods, and having an outgoing personality. These people can be successful in sales, entertainment, or another career that requires a quick response and lots of energy. Outwardly Expressive ADD people often make good entrepreneurs.
People with Inwardly Directed ADD hide their feelings. Often spacing out, people with Inwardly Directed ADD may be underachievers, may over commit themselves to activities, can be depressed, spend a lot of time watching television or using a computer, and have a difficult time completing assignments. Though not hyperactive, they are restless, and love to daydream.
Highly Structured ADD people tend to worry. They are perfectionists who are highly organized, have difficulty controlling their temper, and have difficulty resuming tasks after being disrupted. They tend to be fairly rigid and have trouble cooperating with others. This type of person is drawn to highly structured jobs, such as the military, accounting, piloting aircraft's, or any other highly structured jobs. When a person with this type of ADD starts something, they do not quit until their done.
There are many positive and negative aspects that a person with ADD has because of the disorder. People with the disorder have a "steel-trap" memory for complex things, many have a photographic memory, they have the ability to "hyper-focus" with things that are of great interest (as well as highly stimulating), they have unique creativity and spontaneous ideas, and they are highly imaginative. People with ADD also have a way of seeing right to the heart of the matter of things, while others have to reason their way along methodically. People with ADD are usually entrepreneurs, have a better tolerance for chaos, and can adapt to volatile situations. Although, people who have ADD are also overly aggressive, which causes physical aggression and they have quick shifts of mood (which also makes a bad temper).
Treatment for Attention Deficit Disorder begins with a diagnosis by a licensed physician. Once the diagnosis has been made, if the individual has ADD they can then begin to deal with the disorder. After a diagnosis, ADD is then treated with a course of medications, which is commonly followed by therapy and if it is a child, their school will supply accommodations for them. The primary medications that are used to treat ADD are all stimulants; they include Ritalin, Dexedrine, Adderal, Desoxyn, and Cylert. As with all medications, these do have some minor side effects. Some of these side effects are a loss of appetite, weight loss, blurred vision, dizziness, nausea, headache, rapid heartbeat, and sleeplessness. The side effects are very minor and the medication helps a lot of the symptoms of ADD go away. About 95% of the people who have ADD and take a stimulant medication obtain benefit.
In conclusion, as we go through life we will meet many people with this disorder, and whenever you do think about what they go through day by day. If enough people start to understand, what Attention Deficit Disorder is then more and more people will be informed. Once more people are informed about what Attention Deficit Disorder maybe the youth of the next generation will get the respect and accommodations they deserve.