What is ADD and ADHD?
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are genetic disorders that result in a lack of blood flow in the frontal lobe of the brain. This results in a poor attention span, impulsive behavior, and/or hyperactivity. People rarely grow out of ADD/ADHD.
Is ADD or ADHD over diagnosed today?
It may be misdiagnosed. For instance, if a child has a parent with an ‘I am the boss’ parenting style, the child may exhibit many symptoms that an ADD/ADHD child exhibits. Symptoms similar to those of ADD/ADHD may also be indicative of mood, cognitive, or personality disorders. Many evaluators use the Conrad ADHD Test (with a reliability of 40%) as the assessment tool to diagnose ADD/ADHD; however, Dr. Worthing uses the ADHDT by PRO-ED, Inc., which has a reliability of over 90%.
What are the three types of ADD/ADHD and their symptoms?
Not all need to be present
Inattentive Type
- Poor Concentration
- Fails to Finish Projects
- Disorganized
- Poor Planning Ability
- Absentminded
- Inattentive
- Difficulty Following Directions
- Short Attention Span
- Easily Distracted
- Difficulty Staying on Task
- Difficulty Completing Tasks
- Frequently Loses Things
Impulsive Type
- Acts before Thinking
- Shifts from One Activity to the Next
- Fails to Wait for One’s Turn
- Difficulty Waiting Turn
- Blurts Out Answers
- Impulsive
- Interrupts Conversations
- Intrudes on Others
- Does Not Wait for Directions
- Fails to Follow Rules
Hyperactive Type
- Loud
- Constantly ‘On-The-Go’
- Excessive Activity
- Wiggling in Seat
- Easily Excited
- Grabs Objects
- Excessive Talking
- Manipulates Objects
- Inability to Play Quietly
- Fidgets/Restless/Squirms
What are the Life-Altering Aspects of Untreated ADD or ADHD?
- More than 40% of children with ADHD indulge in early tobacco and alcohol abuse, compared with 30% or less of those without ADHD.
- Up to 58% of children with ADHD have failed a grade in school. In one study, 46% of children with ADHD had been suspended from school.
- As many as 30% of adolescents with ADHD will drop out of or fail to complete high school, compared with 10% of those without ADHD.
- On average, in their first 2 years of driving, adolescents with ADHD are involved in automobile accidents significantly more often; they are more likely both to be at fault and to incur bodily injuries in such accidents than are those without the disorder.
- 38% of young adults with ADHD are likely to have been pregnant or to have caused a pregnancy, compared with 4% of those without ADHD.
- 17% of young adults with ADHD are likely to have contracted a sexually transmitted disease, compared with 4% of those without ADHD.
- Some research has shown that when children with ADHD reach adulthood, up to 79% of them may complain of difficulties with symptoms of anxiety, sadness, and physical ailments, compared with 51% of those without ADHD.
- Adults with ADHD are 78% more likely to be addicted to tobacco or smoking, compared with those without ADHD.
- ADHD adults (compared with those without it) are 58% more likely to use illegal drugs.
- Over an extended study period, the overall medical costs for persons with ADHD were more than twice those of individuals without the disorder ($4,300 vs. $1,900).
The Importance of An Accurate Diagnosis: ADHD Is Similar to Other Disorders
Symptoms of ADHD
- Easily distracted, poor concentration
- Excessive activity, restlessness
- Acts before thinking
- Interrupts, blurts out answers
- Easily excited
- Impulsive, self-defeating behavior
- Conflict-seeking behavior
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
- Distractibility
- Increased activity or agitation
- Impulsive, poor judgment
- Rapid, pressured speech at times
- Elevated mood or extremely social
- Self-destructive behavior