Being diagnosed with Adult Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) - also known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) - can be both a confusing and relieving time.
This bittersweet moment is a combination of relief,
as you have finally found some of the answers you’ve been looking
for, and confirmation that they are not crazy or stupid. For many people,
the diagnosis of ADD is the chance they’ve been waiting for; an
opportunity for a new beginning, to either start over, or at least
look forward to a new self-discovering journey for self improvement.
When
either you or a loved one has been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD, it
can be as confusing experience for all of the family members as it
is for
the patient him/herself.
At first you may not know what to think,
and you
may not understand what has brought about the conditon. Additionally,
feelings of guilt may surface, thinking that there is some sort of
responsibility for the disorder. These are common, natural, yet unnecessary
feelings.
Understanding ADD / ADHD can help both the patient and the family and friends
of the patient to cope with the diagnosis and begin your journey ahead
to creating a more positive, practical and productive lifestyle.
Understanding Adult ADD / ADHD
Consider the following points about ADD that
will give you a better overall understanding of the disorder:
There is no cure for ADD, nor can it be grown out of. ADD is a chemical
imbalance that will remain with the patient throughout their
lives. However, this doesn’t mean that they cannot continue a rewarding, normal lifestyle.
It simply means that ways will have
to be discovered
in order
to compensate for the symptoms of ADD, and actually use the
symptoms in a way in which the patient can thrive.
Medication is helpful
for reducing
symptoms of ADD in many people.
Nobody can be blamed for the development of ADD. It is considered
to be hereditary, and is neither caused by bad parenting nor a broken
home.ADD is not an excuse for bad behaviors; though it may explain
some behaviors, it is in no way an excuse for inappropriate
actions.Reminder systems for aiding the short term memory, and
reducing stress are very helpful for people with ADD. ADD is quite common and frequently develops alongside
other disorders. In fact, it has been estimated that
over half the
individuals diagnosed
with ADD will also be diagnosed with another mental
disorder at some point in their lives. These can
include: depression,
bi-polar disorders and
substance abuse.
Major symptoms of ADD include difficulty sustaining
an extended attention span, the inability to sit
still, problems with completing projects that
are started, and procrastination. ADD isn’t just a disorder that occurs during childhood, and does
not only effect a patient in his/her school life. ADD can create issues
in many different elements of a person’s life, including
poor social skills, emotional immaturity and underdeveloped
communication
abilities.
ADD hasn’t any impact on intelligence. In fact, it has
been discovered that ADD patients are frequently of above average
intelligence, or even
gifted. Artistic and creative abilities are very common in
people
with ADD. The most effective treatments for ADD include
behavior modification alongside medication.
One of the best ways to support a person with ADD, including yourself,
is to accept where the person is in his/her life, instead of where you
feel that they should be.Understanding ADD is one of the best ways to ensure that support and
treatment will lead the ADD patient to a whole and happy life.
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