Attention deficit disorder, or ADD, is a common diagnosis for many adults. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, some adults may not have recognized the symptoms of ADD during childhood, only to discover later in life that they indeed have the disorder. A doctor may come to a diagnosis of ADD after carefully considering the specific criteria for the disorder. These criteria are clearly identifiable and must be met before a doctor will consider ADD treatment. Knowing the criteria will also help adults who think they may have ADD decide to discuss their concerns with a doctor.
History
One criteria for a diagnosis of adult ADD is a person's childhood and adolescent history with the disorder. NIMH states that an adult must have a history of symptoms of ADD that started in childhood and continued through adolescence into adulthood. This is because ADD is thought by medical professionals to be genetic--a person doesn't "catch" or develop ADD in adulthood and may only recognize the symptoms as an adult.
Behavior
There are two main types of behavior within ADD--inattentiveness and impulsiveness. Inattentiveness may show up as the inability to follow directions, difficulties staying on task at work, or "blanking out" during a conversation with someone else. Impulsiveness involves such behaviors as blurting out things without thinking, making sudden decisions without considering them and finishing other people's sentences. These criteria will be carefully examined by a doctor who is diagnosing an adult for possible ADD.
Considerations
One important thing the physician or psychiatrist will consider before coming to a diagnosis of adult ADD is whether the patient has any other disorders. Certain other disorders, such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders and learning disorders may closely resemble ADD. The ruling out of these similar disorders is a crucial criterion for a proper diagnosis of adult ADD.
Effects
Adult ADD produces certain common effects on the person's everyday life. According to the nonprofit website HelpGuide.org, adults with ADD may complain of forgetting important occasions, being rude without intending to, feeling unable to keep up with the constant activities of life and even problems with relationships. Career difficulties, such as constantly falling behind at work, missing deadlines or even the inability to hold a job for more than a few months are also strong indicators of ADD in adults.
Misconceptions
Certain myths about the disorder include that people who are intelligent can't have adult ADD; ADD is simply a lack of willpower or motivation; and finally, if someone wasn't diagnosed with ADD as a child, that person can't be diagnosed during adulthood.
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