Adult Attention Deficit Disorder

Attention Deficit Disorder is commonly known to be a disorder among young children and adolescents. It is believed that most children will outgrow this disorder. Studies have shown that Attention Deficit Disorder can carry over into adulthood, hence the newest term for this disorder, Adult ADD. Adult Attention Deficit Disorder or adult ADD has become more widely accepted. An estimated 2 percent to 4 percent of U.S. adults have ADD. An estimated 67 percent of children who have signs of ADD will have symptoms as adults, according to CHADD. Adults with ADD are diagnosed similar to kids with the disorder, can be treated with medications, behavior modification or a combination of both. (Cohen, 2003) An accurate diagnosis, education and support are essential to living with Adult Attention Deficit Disorder.

Symptoms of Adult Attention Deficit Disorder include Lack of focus, disorganization, restlessness, difficulty finishing projects, and losing things. The symptoms of adults with attention deficit disorder often mirror that of a stressful or demanding life.

In 2003 Eli Lilly and Company provided the following questionnaire for adults who believe they may have Attention Deficit Disorder.

• Do you have difficulty concentrating or focusing your attention on one thing?

• Do you often start multiple projects at the same time, but rarely finish them?

• Do you have trouble with organization?

• Do you procrastinate on projects that take a lot of attention to detail?

• Do you have problems remembering appointments or obligations?

• Do you have trouble staying seated during meetings or other activities?

• Are you restless or fidgety?

• Do you often lose or misplace things?

Even when answers to this questionnaire may imply that one is being affected by Attention Deficit Disorder it is necessary to be clinically diagnosed. (Adult Self-Report Scale (ASRS - V1.1) Screener). For the most accurate diagnosis, doctors will obtain a history of childhood behavior. The doctor may also interview a parent or close friend. In addition, a physical psychological test should also be completed. Individuals should speak with there physician to receive an accurate diagnosis.

Dr. Daniel G. Amen, MD, a child and adult psychiatrist and brain imaging specialist is a nationally recognized expert in the field of brain imaging. Dr. Amen’s brain imaging techniques have been utilized to diagnosis attention deficit disorder and further distinguish between the different types of this disorder. According to Amen, “Brain Spect Imaging is a nuclear medicine study which looks at the blood flow within the brain and at the brain’s metabolic activity. Specifically, the brain imaging allows medical professionals to see what areas of the brain work well, which work too hard do not work hard enough.” SPECT or Single Photon Emission Computerized Tomography takes a radioactive isotope and binds it to the cells of the brain. This substance is then injected into the blood stream. Special cameras track the substance through the brain which allows doctors to observe brain activity. The information obtained from SPECT imaging provides doctors information needed to accurately treat individuals with this disorder. In conjunction with the SPECT Imaging, Dr. Amen suggests there are six types of Attention Deficit Disorder.

The six types of Attention Deficit Disorder are classic, inattentive, over-focused, temporal lobe, limbic and ring of fire. The diagnostic features of classic ADD are inattentive, distractible, disorganized, hyperactive, restless, and impulsive. Inattentive ADD is characterized by inattentive, being sluggish, having little or no motivation or lethargic. Individuals with over-focused ADD have trouble shifting their attention from one concept or activity to another, worry excessively and display argumentative behavior. Like all other types of ADD, temporal lobe ADD is characterized by inattentiveness, but also irritability, dark thoughts and severe impulsivity. Limbic ADD suffers will also suffer form depression, and display frequent feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness. The final