Mental Health and ADD / ADHD

Mental health recognizes the seriousness of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), the term for clinically diagnosed cases of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), in both children and adults. Because overall, ADD affects up to 6 percent of the U.S. population, as reported by the Attention Deficit Disorder Association:

- Roughly 2 million children in the United States alone suffer from ADHD. This is the equivalent of about one out of a classroom of around 30 students having ADHD.

- And anywhere from half to 66 percent of these children with ADHD go on to adulthood facing ADHD issues on their jobs, relationships, in person – in life.

Research is still underway to find out mow about ADD, but health and science researchers believe that ADD is probably a genetic issue where biological factors influence the activity of some of the brains neurotransmitters.

Lower glucose levels in some brain areas has helped. It's resulted in controlling the person's attention more, inhibiting impulses; in short less activity happening. Hence, researchers are testing to see whether lower activity levels can help with the reduction, even ceasing, of some ADD symptoms.

ADD Symptoms

Common traits or symptoms demonstrated by adults who have ADD are listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). This list shows that adults with ADD most often:
-Do not seem like they are listening when someone speaks directly to them
-Feel like they cannot relax
-Have a tough time with organizating
-Feel like they are constantly "on the go"
-Do not pay close attention to details
-Mess up at work
-Nervously mess with their hands and / or feet, twisting around in their chairs
-Have short attention spans, especially when handling lengthy tasks
-Do not and often cannot stay seated when it's required long-term
-Do not want to undertake anything that asks for sustained mental effort
-Can and often do talk a lot in a short period of time
-Have a tendency to lose items of importance
-Find it tough to follow through and complete things.
-Find it tough to participate quietly in pursuit of leisure activities
-Like to hurry and supply answers before questions are fully asked

-Can easily become distracted
-Can be a bit impatient
-An be forgetful with everyday things
-Often interrupt others.

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