Attention Deficit Disorder Information

It was in the early years of the twentieth century that the first cases of what is now known as Attention Deficit Disorder, were documented. Children displaying signs of inattentiveness and hyperactivity and prone to impulsive behaviour.

In modern times this behaviour has been called Attention Deficit or Hyperactivity Deficit (AD/HD) by the American Psychiatric Association, and information regarding this Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is now widely known.

It was once considered to be disruptive defiance in a child, or caused by poor parenting, dysfunctional family life, poor diet or even as a result of watching too much television. This is not now the case.

Medical research has now established that Attention Deficit Disorder is the result of a neuro-biological disorder of the brain, but its exact cause still remains uncertain.

And surprisingly, in recent times, it has been discovered that ADD is not exclusively a childhood disorder, but one that can become a lifetime disorder.

 Extensive research has shown that children don't necessarily grow out of the condition and it carries on creating social, relational and occupational problems, well into adulthood.

The main symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder are:

• A lack of attention
  
• Excessive talking/interupting
  
• Physical restlessness
  
• Easy distractibility
  
• Difficulty following instructions
  
• Forgetfulness
  
• Inability to start or complete tasks
  
• Difficulty waiting in line or taking turns
  
• Seeming always to be in "overdrive"
  
• Inability to organize
  
• Serious academic under achievement
  

Treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder Information

Treatment of this disorder involves psychotherapy and medication for both children and adults. Initial medications were drug stimulants that helped the individual concentrate. These included  Ritalin, Cylert, and Dexedrine, which, whilst providing some relief from the symptoms in most patients, still caused some troublesome side effects such as insomnia, nervousness, and stomach ache.

Since these are amphetamine-based medications controlled by the FDA there is the risk of addiction in both adolescents and adults if excessive amounts are taken. A new medication - Strattera - which is neither  a stimulant drug (therefore has no potential for addiction or abuse) nor is controlled by the FDA, is becoming the first choice treatment.

Medication alone is insufficient in treating this disorder, especially in adults. Medication can provide the necessary relief from the symptoms of ADD but then psycohtherapy is needed to re-educate them in the social skills that were not developed in childhood, because of their disruptive behaviour. The pyschtherapist effectively re-parenting them to interact with other people as they should.

Adult Attention Deficit Disorder