I never really payed attention to ADD of ADHD, my dad thought I had it. But recently, I did some research and thought I might have ADD or even ADHD.
I've always been a regular//normal kid. Until late in middle school, I realized that I was getting tired/ lazy more often and I find it so hard to concentrate in class. I hardly do my homework because it was so hard for me to concentrate. When I say I'm gonna do something, in the middle of doing it I get bored and stop. Working on the computer is so terrible, because I usually slack off and find myself on a different site, even though I'm suppose to do some research for school. In freshman year, I slept a lot in class, and worse.. the words that are coming out of the teacher's mouth, I find it hard to get into my head and remember [I'm very forgetful]. Are these the symptoms of ADD or ADHD?Any tricks might help me concentrate? Where can I go to get treated if I have ADD? Can anyone give me more info about this disorder?
thanks A person with ADHD has a chronic level of inattention, impulsive hyperactivity, or both such that daily functioning is compromised. The symptoms of the disorder must be present at levels that are higher than expected for a person's developmental stage and must interfere with the person's ability to function in different settings (e.g., in school and at home). A person with ADHD may struggle in important areas of life, such as peer and family relationships, and school or work performance.
Three types of ADHD have been established according to which symptoms are strongest in the individual.
1. Predominantly Inattentive Type: It is hard for the individual to organize or finish a task, to pay attention to details, or to follow instructions or conversations. The person is easily distracted or forgets details of daily routines.
2. Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type: The person fidgets and talks a lot. It is hard to sit still for long (e.g., for a meal or while doing homework). Smaller children may run, jump or climb constantly. The individual feels restless and has trouble with impulsivity. Someone who is impulsive may interrupt others a lot, grab things from people, or speak at inappropriate times. It is hard for the person to wait their turn or listen to directions. A person with impulsiveness may have more accidents and injuries than others.
3. Combined Type: Symptoms of the above two types are equally predominant in the person.
As many as half of those with ADHD also have other mental disorders. These comorbidities of ADHD (other disorders that occur along with ADHD) can make it harder to diagnose and treat ADHD. They may also present further challenges to the individual with ADHD.
Used by mental health professionals, the DSM-IV-TR provides criteria for diagnosing ADHD. This diagnostic standard helps ensure that people are appropriately diagnosed and treated for ADHD. Using the same standard across communities will help determine the public health impact of ADHD.
Treating ADHD can be done through medical or behavioral therapies, or a combination of the two.
Diagnostic & Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) Criteria for ADHD
I. Either A or B:
A. Six or more of the following symptoms of inattention have been present for at least 6 months to a point that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level:
INATTENTION
~Often does not give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.
~Often has trouble keeping attention on tasks or play activities.
~Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
~Often does not follow instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions).
~Often has trouble organizing activities.
~Often avoids, dislikes, or doesn't want to do things that take a lot of mental effort for a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).
~Often loses things needed for tasks and activities (e.g. toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools).
~Is often easily distracted.
~Is often forgetful in daily activities.
B. Six or more of the following symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity have been present for at least 6 months to an extent that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level:
HYPERACTIVITY
~Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat.
~Often gets up from seat when remaining in seat is expected.
~Often runs about or climbs when and where it is not appropriate (adolescents or adults may feel very restless).
~Often has trouble playing or enjoying leisure activities quietly.
~Is often "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor".
~Often talks excessively.
IMPULSIVITY
~Often blurts out answers before questions have been finished.
~Often has trouble waiting one's turn.
~Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games).
ll. Some symptoms that cause impairment were present before age 7 years.
lll. Some impairment from the symptoms is present in two or more settings (e.g. at school/work and at home).
lV. There must be clear evidence of significant impairment in social, school, or work functioning.
V. The symptoms do not happen only during the course of a Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Schizophrenia, or other Psychotic Disorder. The symptoms are not better accounted for by another mental disorder (e.g. Mood Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Dissociative Disorder, or a Personality Disorder).
Based on these criteria, three types of ADHD are identified:
ADHD, Combined Type: if both criteria 1A and 1B are met for the past 6 months
ADHD, Predominantly Inattentive Type: if criterion 1A is met but criterion 1B is not met for the past six months
ADHD, Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type: if Criterion 1B is met but Criterion 1A is not met for the past six months.
American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision. Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Association, 2000 If you could stay on task to write that long of a question, then you don't have ADD. I don't have it and I couldn't read the whole question. If you do have ADD, it means that you have a hard time tuning out the outside world, so it is very hard to focus on a task.
You can find out if you are ADD by drinking coffee at night, and then trying to sleep. If you can sleep you may be ADD because caffine has a calming effect on these people.
If you had ADHD, you wouldn't hardly be able to sit in a chair for very long and would want to move around. See ADD/ADHD at http://www.ezy-build.net. (.net.nz/~shaneris) on pages 22 - 25, and take the test. Also see study tips and memory improvement, on pages 13, and 41. Exercise daily, and eat healthily. |
