How To Keep It Together When You Have ADD
Are you easily distracted by the smallest things? Do you feel bad about not being able to focus on a task for more than 2 minutes? Does your brain feel like it's stuck in a hamster wheel?
If this sounds like you, take comfort. You are not alone! In fact, there is an increasing number of people who suffer from ADD and Hyperactivity Disorder. But don't worry, we're here to help! Check out some tips on how to keep your sanity when you have ADD (or ADHD).
An introduction to an informative and factual blog post titled "How To Keep It Together When You Have ADD".
Published by Joanne C on March 7, 2018
"If you've never been diagnosed with ADD, you may wonder what exactly is ADD. If you've been diagnosed with ADD more than once, then undoubtedly you know what it's like to have this disorder. In fact, some of the behavior of people with ADD is so similar that it can be easy to become confused as to which one of your symptoms are caused by which: the impulsiveness of someone on the spectrum or the disorganization of someone with ADHD. It is important to be clear on the difference between the two.
The two most common ways of being diagnosed with ADD are the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders) criteria for hyperactivity and the ICD-10 criteria for ADHD. Both are widely accepted as valid methods of diagnosis, but in general, people who test with the DSM-IV criteria tend to have more ADHD symptoms and fewer Asperger's symptoms while people who test under ICD-10 tend to have more Asperger's symptoms and fewer ADHD symptoms. It is also possible to be diagnosed with both subtypes of ADD at once, but that is not a common occurrence.
One of the main features of ADD is that it affects social skills. Someone who has ADD will often have a hard time maintaining conversations, remembering names of people he or she meets, and responding appropriately to the social cues that are presented at the appropriate times. Essentially, their ability to interact socially with other people is affected. Many children and adults with ADD struggle in school and do poorly in class due to their inability to focus or maintain attention over longer periods of time. In some cases, they manage behavior better when they are in groups but struggle while they are alone or doing homework. This can lead to poor grades and even failure.
In fact, the behavioral symptoms of someone with ADD are typical of what is called a 'dysfunctional family'. A dysfunctional family is one in which there are ongoing arguments or problems that need to be addressed but never actually get resolved. The person compulsive to add may find themselves in situations where there is an ongoing conflict and he or she does not know how to resolve it. When this happens, the person's organization system for everyone else goes out the window and each person becomes increasingly upset without any resolution. In some ways, this makes sense because a hyperactive child will have trouble paying attention and staying organized in favor of something more interesting (like playing ball with his friends. When this behavior is repeated over and over, it can begin to affect the family dynamics in a very negative way.
ADD is not always apparent at an early age. It is estimated that only 8% of children who have ADD will show symptoms by the time they are in kindergarten. This means that most don't show signs of ADD until they hit their mid-teens and start doing poorly in school or have difficulty getting along with others at home." - "If you're someone who struggled with ADD as a child, this may seem impossible to believe. If you've never been diagnosed with ADD, you may wonder what exactly is ADD. If you've been diagnosed with ADD more than once, then undoubtedly you know what it's like to have this disorder. In fact, some of the behavior of people with ADD is so similar that it can be easy to become confused as to which one of your symptoms are caused by which: the impulsiveness of someone on the spectrum or the disorganization of someone with ADHD. It is important to be clear on the difference between the two.
The two most common ways of being diagnosed with ADD are the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders) criteria for hyperactivity and the ICD-10 criteria for ADHD. Both are widely accepted as valid methods of diagnosis, but in general, people who test with the DSM-IV criteria tend to have more ADHD symptoms and fewer Asperger's symptoms while people who test under ICD-10 tend to have more Asperger's symptoms and fewer ADHD symptoms. It is also possible to be diagnosed with both subtypes of ADD at once, but that is not a common occurrence.
One of the main features of ADD is that it affects social skills. Someone who has ADD will often have a hard time maintaining conversations, remembering names of people he or she meets, and responding appropriately to the social cues that are presented at the appropriate times. Essentially, their ability to interact socially with other people is affected. Many children and adults with ADD struggle in school and do poorly in class due to their inability to focus or maintain attention over longer periods of time. In some cases, they manage behavior better when they are in groups but struggle while they are alone or doing homework. This can lead to poor grades and even failure.
In fact, the behavioral symptoms of someone with ADD are typical of what is called a 'dysfunctional family'. A dysfunctional family is one in which there are ongoing arguments or problems that need to be addressed but never actually get resolved. The person compulsive to add may find themselves in situations where there is an ongoing conflict and he or she does not know how to resolve it. When this happens, the person's organization system for everyone else goes out the window and each person becomes increasingly upset without any resolution. In some ways, this makes sense because a hyperactive child will have trouble paying attention and staying organized in favor of something more interesting (like playing ball with his friends. When this behavior is repeated over and over, it can begin to affect the family dynamics in a very negative way.
ADD is not always apparent at an early age. It is estimated that only 8% of children who have ADD will show symptoms by the time they are in kindergarten. This means that most don't show signs of ADD until they hit their mid-teens and start doing poorly in school or have difficulty getting along with others at home." - source
ADD has been a condition that people have been aware of for many years now. However, it wasn't until the 1980's when the American Psychiatric Association (APA) recognized ADD as a valid disorder, and included it in their Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). The DSM-IV has become the 'bible' for our modern society as it helps us identify types of mental disorders as well as clinical parameters, symptoms and typical behaviors. ADHD is an area of study similar to ADD.
Conclusion
ADD and ADHD are both disorders that are very prevalent in our society. It is important to determine if you have ADD or ADHD and how to manage it. You may not even be aware of the symptoms that you're exhibiting, but they can truly affect your personal, social and professional life. If you're struggling with ADD or ADHD, our counselors at ClearSpring can help you find the right treatment for your condition. Call today to learn more about finding the right therapy for your needs.
Related Reading:
http://www.webmd.