| American society has often taken things to the | | | | ADD or ADHD. Behaviors that are directly related to |
| extreme, and in the case of attention deficit disorder | | | | having attention deficit must have lasted for more than |
| (ADD), it may be that teachers and doctors have | | | | 6 months, and the symptoms must have been a |
| become so aggressive with certain behaviors in | | | | disruptive force in your life. |
| children that the diagnosis of ADHD (attention deficit | | | | If you think you may have ADD or ADHD, the next |
| hyperactivity disorder) is almost automatic. But it's not | | | | thing you should do is to take a preliminary test at in |
| true that anyone who has temporary memory lapses, | | | | order to assess the possibility. If the test is positive, |
| hyperactivity, or high levels of procrastination have | | | | seek out a healthcare professional to help you. Be |
| ADD. The truth is that all human beings experience | | | | careful of using a family physician who will readily write |
| ADD-type behavior during the course of their lives. | | | | a prescription for Ritalin or other drug. Find a |
| The symptoms of attention deficit may pop up for | | | | psychologist or another mental health professional who |
| many reasons, or people may have tendencies of | | | | can provide an intense set of test to tell you if you |
| attention deficit, without really having it at all. Kids can | | | | have the disorder. This can be expensive, and you |
| be acting out their feelings of frustration or stress in | | | | may be asked questions about things that happened |
| school. And adults who just can't seem to get things | | | | during your childhood. All of your history is important |
| accomplished may have nothing more than a severe | | | | and don't be surprised if your parents are asked to |
| case of the "lazies." There are many reasons for why | | | | answer questions, too. What may not seem relevant |
| people do the things they do or don't do, and the | | | | to you is very important in making an accurate |
| behaviors may not be the markers for ADD. | | | | diagnosis. |
| One huge problem with finding out positively if a | | | | What you want to remember is that you're on a quest |
| person has ADD or ADHD is that there are no tests | | | | to find peace of mind. Get to the heart of what's |
| that can be performed to a 100% certainty. There are | | | | causing your symptoms. If it's not attention deficit, deal |
| no blood tests, no CAT or PET scans, no | | | | with what is. If it is attention deficit, great! You're one of |
| graphing--nothing. Attention deficit is a condition of the | | | | few very special people. Plus, you'll know what's been |
| mind, and so testing can only be done through a series | | | | plaguing you all your life. There are many ways to |
| of intensive and extensive questions about a person's | | | | make your symptoms less severe. This could include |
| entire life, not just about what he or she is feeling in the | | | | medication, but some symptoms just go away when |
| moment. Here's the thing: | | | | you learn to control them through ADD-friendly |
| Attention deficit doesn't just appear because it's an | | | | systems. The whole idea is to make yourself feel |
| inherited condition that a person has or doesn't have | | | | better about life. When you learn whether or not you |
| when they are born. Just because someone is | | | | have attention deficit, it could be the beginning of that |
| distracted, can't remember the grocery list, or has a | | | | solution. |
| messy house, it doesn't necessarily mean that they're | | | | |