Words can be demeaning regardless of the intent behind them. “What’s wrong with you? Why do you always walk around with your head in the clouds? How could you forget to pick up the milk? I told you three times.” These are the kinds of things a person who has attention deficit disorder or ADD might hear on a regular basis. Teachers may say to their students “You could do so much better if you would just apply yourself.” The trouble is that if an ADD sufferer could just apply themselves, they would.
ADD, also called ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a neurological syndrome that is diagnosed by the severity and duration of symptoms of impulsivity, distractibility and hyperactivity or excess or energy. There is no definitive test for ADD. Because ADD is not just about hyperactivity, but can also be distractibility (daydreaming, forgetting), there are many adults today who have this syndrome, but have never been diagnosed. It is now known that children who have been diagnosed with attention deficit disorder will probably continue to have the same symptoms in adulthood.
A person who has attention deficit disorder struggles to manage their daily lives. It can be difficult if not impossible to organize their ideas to complete projects, to remember errands or appointments, to remain calm and in control at work or school. They may have trouble maintaining good relationships.
Children with attention deficit disorder often have poor self-esteem that extends into adulthood. This may lead to self-medicating with alcohol, marijuana or other drugs to focus or calm down. Sometimes the symptoms of ADD are disguised in adults by other problems such as depression or alcoholism, so the primary concern, ADD, is not diagnosed or noted by family members or professionals alike.
The first step in treatment is getting the diagnosis. Once a diagnosis is made, you can educate yourself about ADD. The second step is learning how to structure your life to improve productivity and reduce disorganization. A coach or psychotherapy can help to keep a person with ADD accountable to progressing toward this structured life. Medication is frequently ordered for people that find the other steps are not enough. Medication helps to regulate attention, impulse control, and mood. Most people require both behavioral changes and medication to reduce symptoms.
There are millions of Americans who have attention deficit disorder and do not know it. They can be difficult people to deal with. Without an understanding of what the problem is, it is easy to write them off as losers and underachievers. These people are our brothers, sisters, parents, siblings and children. Let’s give them our patience and prayers. As 1 Peter 1: 22 says, “love one another deeply from the heart.”
–Donita Robards, RN, Parish Nurse