ADD / ADHD

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
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