What is Attention Deficit Disorder?
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), now called Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a diagnosis given to children and adults who consistently display certain characteristic behaviors over time. The most common behaviors fall into three categories: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. People who are inattentive have a hard time keeping their mind on any one thing and may get bored with a task after only a few minutes. Hyperactive people always seem to be always in motion. Impulsive people seem unable to curb their immediate reactions or think before they act.
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a syndrome which is usually characterized by serious and persistent difficulties resulting in: • poor attention span • weak impulse control • hyperactivity (not in all cases) ADD also has a subtype which includes hyperactivity (ADHD). It is a treatable (note not curable) complex disorder which affects approximately 3 to 6 percent of the population (70% in relatives of ADD children). Inattentiveness, impulsivity, and often times, hyperactivity, are common characteristics of the disorder. Boys with ADD tend to outnumber girls by 3 to 1, although ADD in girls is underidentified. The term ADD is usually referring to ADHD. ADD without hyperactivity is also known as ADD/WO (Without) or Undifferentiated ADD.
Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder (ADD, ADHD or AD(H)D) is a neurological condition whose primary symptoms are distractibility, impulsiveness and restlessness. The condition is frequently observed in school-age children as an inability to pay attention or complete classwork, often accompanied by a high-energy, ants-in-the-pants demeanor. In adults, ADD tends to manifest itself as inattentiveness, absent-mindedness, impulsiveness, lack of follow-through and an elastic perception of time. These behaviors may have led to poor performance in school and in the workplace, and low self esteem and clinical depression frequently travel hand-in-hand with ADD.
