Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)

Published: November 12, 2020

Attention Deficit Disorder, or ADD, is a term that is applied to the inattention of an individual. Many causes must be considered in a diagnosis, as there can be many reasons for ADD in an individual, ranging from brain defects to allergies.  There is no clear regulation for the diagnosis of ADD, as it is not listed as a specific disease, leaving it a highly subjective diagnosis.

According to borntoexplore.org, some other causes that may lead to an ADD diagnosis include a brain injury due to chemicals like lead, birth defects in the brain, and encephalitis, which is when the brain swells.

There are typical behavioral symptoms that accord to ADD. Some of these include:

  • A lack of attention to detail
  • Average to low grades in school
  • Lack of focus while completing tasks
  • Difficulties in completing homework and/or schoolwork
  • Lack of attention when being spoken to
  • Easily distracted
  • Highly unorganized
  • Difficulty in remembering daily tasks

ADD is very closely related to ADHD, which stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Here, the symptoms are similar, except that individuals who suffer from ADHD have a hyperactivity factor.

Some of these symptoms include:

  • Squirminess, can’t sit still
  • Loud, often interrupts other people
  • Restless, can’t stay seated
  • Talk excessively

While ADD is something that seems to affect many children in civilized nations, it was only thoroughly researched in the early 1990s. Since then, according to research, one in 30 children will be diagnosed with ADD – boys three times as often as girls.

Children are usually treated with medication. The most common forms of medication are amphetamines, dextroamphetamines and methylphenidates. Research has shown the stimulants, which would make a person without ADD or ADHD show similar symtpoms to ADDers, has the opposite affect to those diagnosed with ADD or ADHD.

Celebrities who have been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD include Will Smith, Michael Phelps, Jim Carrey and Jamie Oliver.

View ADD statistics

Image: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1213599

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Published November 12, 2020 by in Health Conditions
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