ADD: Some Interesting Statistics

In an article by David J. Morrow of The New York Times, the author states, "Several recent studies estimate that 6 million to 9.5 million American adults have the disorder, making it as common as severe clinical depression or drug abuse." ("Attention Disorder is Found in Growing Number of Adults." Sept. 2, 2007) Even more surprising is the fact that more than 700,000 ADD prescriptions will be written this year. That's up more than three and a half times from 1992. What's doing that? Is it stress? Is it environment? Or, is it that people have become more aware?

Attention deficit was first diagnosed in 1902 by a British pediatrician, though the exact causes are yet unknown. People continue to see ADD as a "disorder," but others even believe that it could be the next evolution of the human brain. Dr. Edward M. Hallowell of Harvard Medical School, who also has attention deficit, says, "It's like having a Ferrari engine under the hood." It's that intense power that can be troubling, if not well managed.

Disorganization, memory lapses, inattention to detail, and procrastination are all part of having ADD. But people with attention deficit need mechanisms that will help them to cope. Otherwise, living in a linear-thinking world can be very, very difficult.

If you're having some of these problems, how can you know whether or not it's attention deficit? There are some fairly static criteria. You must have six of a long list of symptoms, including those described above. Plus, the symptoms must have lasted for more than six months. These issues must also have caused disruption in your life.

People can have degrees of attention deficit. Some with childhood ADD learned to control symptoms better than others. But some adults with attention deficit may never even have known that they had it. So, are the issues you're experiencing really ADD or could they be something else?

Talk to your family physician. Just don't let him or her throw a bunch of pills at you. Before making the decision to go on meds for the rest of your life, get a proper diagnosis, after testing. Sometimes you can work with attention deficit another way. I'm a big fan of espresso, which I drink all day long. Maybe that caffeine is enough for me, but everyone is very different. Take a preliminary ADD test as your first step. If you're still convinced then seek the help you need. No one has to go through life wondering and unhappy.

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