Attention Deficit Disorder

I was diagnosed with ADD by my psychiatrist. I was even puzzled when she broke the news to me. I was a quiet and a well-behaved child. I seldom watched TV and there were no computer games or iPods when I was young. My psychiatrist told me that I don't have the "hyperactivity component." I love to read. I just notice that I cannot finish an entire book in one sitting unless I'm really, really interested in it. When I was studying, I'd pick up my science book. A few minutes later, I'd find myself reading my history book. A couple of minutes later, I'd be solving math problems. I couldn't finish anything. It has always been very hard for me to focus. I wasn't able to graduate from college. I just lost my interest in my studies and I just stopped going to school one day. I always score high in IQ tests but my grades do not match my IQ. I believe that my mother has ADD, too. She, too, dropped out from college. She usually leaves her tasks unfinished. She tries to multitask, but the results are often disastrous. Some think ADD is hereditary. I'm not sure, but in my case, it seems to be. I'm working as a transcriptionist and it's really a big challenge for me to focus on my job. But my ability to focus has improved since I landed this job. It takes a lot of practice, but I believe that ADD can be overcome.

I believe ADD is a Past down genes, thing I have ADD and I was as well when I was younger, lord was I a handful.. anyways, Its a family thing ADD is a chemical Imbalence in your brain. You cant help being born with it, and If the problem isent dealt with in the younger phases then it will get much worse later in Life. I myself am a Prime Example... Its in my opinon a horrible disorder because it ruins my life... haha So theres my Input, I hoped I helped in some way :)

I can only tell you that my exhusband exhibited the same behaviors that my sons did when he was their age. There were no Ipods or hand held toys when he was a boy.

My son was far from spoilt. As a single mum without a job we struggled to get food ... yet at the age of 7 my son was diagnosed. Now that he is 16 & we no longer struggle he has goten to the point of putting his life in danger. I was diaagnosed as having ADHD at the age of 25....whe my son was diagnosed, I was far from spoilt. I was rasied in a broken home & was luscy to get an apple for lunch at school.... toys were NOT an option. Now at 34 I still have trouble. It's MIS-INFORMED people like yourself that think it's just spoilt kids or bad parents. Growing up is not easy, try it wit ADHD & then you have the right to comment.

97gstchick, I am guessing that you will probably never read this response. Your discussion is 3 years old and your participation number is only 154. Which leads me to believe that you are not very active. However, your statements about ADHD reflect what many in our society believe. I am writing a response for everyone out there that shares these same thoughts. A large amount of research has been done in the last three years. I realize that people's beliefs change. In fact, your may have changed over the last three years. However, society's views tend to change much slower than advances in research produce new knowledge. The changes in ADHD knowledge are even apparent in the name. There used to be two types ADHD (type with hyperactivity) and ADD (type without hyperactivity). Almost two years ago, the terms were combined. Now, there is only ADHD. There are six versions of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Several doctors have subtyped ADHD into six categories. This subtyping has not been adopted by all clinicians yet, however, there is validity in the research. For years, doctors have noticed a difference in how ADHD presents itself from patient to patient. This led to the development of these six subtypes. Not all subtypes are hereditary. Part of your assumption may hold true. The doctors researching ADHD subtypes are considering that ADHD traits can be learned to the point that someone can be diagnosed with them. However, they have also found this only in a couple subtypes. The majority of ADHD cases due point to heredity. ADHD has been proven to be a set of traits used by hunter/gatherer societies. The ability to constantly scan your environment (attention deficit) is just one trait that hunters would have needed. If they focused on a rabbit, they may not notice the bear. This has been explored in the book "The Edison Gene". While society has changed, these traits have stayed. That is why many very successful people have ADHD. I have quickly realized that completely answering your question will take much more than a short answer. You seem like a person who does want to consider all angles before making a decision. I will develop this answer fully and post later. For now, please consider the points that I have brought up.

97gstchick, your statements would hold true if Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) consisted solely of attention deficits. Here are some thoughts for you. I will point to research or reference sources as much as possible, however, my rank is not high enough to paste URLs are quite lengthy. I will endeavor to make it easy to find the resources by a simple web search. ADHD is more than just attention deficits. Many people have heard anecdotal stories about a person with ADHD's inability to pay attention. Quite the contrary, people with ADHD can hyperfocus. Hyperfocusing happens when the person is very interested in a particular subject or activity. They will pay attention to the subject or activity and literally "tune out" everything else. The rest of the time, they are constantly "scanning" the environment. This scanning is a characteristic of ADHD that can be traced back to hunter/gatherer societies. Hunters needed this ability to be able to track wild game, without being snuck up on by other creatures. You can find out more about this in the book "The Edison Gene". ADHD is not a disorder in the normal sense of the word. ADHD is actually a set of genetic traits that were necessary in past generations. Again, I reference the book "The Edison Gene". In hunter/gatherer societies, hunters had to be able to look past risk and put their lives on the line to bring home meet. People with ADHD often do not register risk the same as other people. Drs. John Ratey and Ed Hallowell are medical doctors (M.D.) who are living with ADHD. They have successfully proven that true ADHD can be seen on a PET scan (scan of the brain). They have proven that someone with ADHD will show increased activity in the parts of the brain that control such things as aggression, creativity, etc. These parts of the brain put out more chemicals that the part of the brain that controls planning and organization. I realize that this is a very old question. However, I belief that it is still very relevant today. I hope that these resources will prove helpful to people with ADHD or wanting to learn more about ADHD. These are just a few points that should be made to answer your question. But, I hope they start people down the path to ADHD understanding.