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Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulty sustaining attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. It commonly starts in childhood and continues into adulthood. Treatment options may include medication, behavioral therapy, and lifestyle modifications. It is important to seek professional diagnosis and support for individuals with ADD to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

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12y ago

Though attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have been heavily diagnosed in school-aged children in recent years, many adults are unaware that the symptoms of this disorder can continue into adulthood, or may not even appear until adulthood. Many adults mistake the symptoms of ADHD for laziness, depression, anxiety, or simple "lack of focus" in themselves or their loved ones.

Adult attention deficit disorder is characterized in many patients by severe indecision, procrastination, difficulty multitasking or focusing for long periods, and difficulty initiating tasks or managing time effectively. Many, though not all, adults diagnosed with ADHD have been found to have other mental health issues coinciding with or caused by their ADHD symptoms, such as depression, anger management problems, or substance abuse. Obviously, many individuals present these symptoms at some point in their lives, but ADHD is characterized by the persistence of these damaging symptoms, and by ongoing problems with everyday life functions due to their effects. Difficulties with focusing or initiating tasks can lead many individuals with attention deficit disorder to have great difficulty in school or in the workplace, and problems with time management or following through on tasks often lead to issues in or dissolution of romantic, friendly, or family relationships.

There is a great deal of debate among scientists and medical researchers as to the causes of attention deficit disorder. It is, however, now viewed almost exclusively as a neurological issue, and is thought by many to be caused by dysfunction of chemicals in the brain which lead to difficulty with executive functioning in the frontal lobes. ADHD is also fairly widely recognized as being linked to genetics, and many individuals diagnosed with the disorder have relatives who also suffer from it.

Treatments for adults with attention deficit disorder have shown great improvements in recent years, with the outlook improving for those diagnosed. Treatment with prescription stimulants has proven most effective for the majority of adult ADHD sufferers. Clinical therapy along with medication is the typical treatment for adults with ADHD, and doctors generally prefer to avoid treating patients with medication alone. Counseling for those with attention deficit disorder has proven far more effective than for adults than for children, and can help patients learn focusing and time management techniques, as well as ways to improve interpersonal relationships and to cope with the stress, low self-esteem, and depression that can often occur with ADHD.

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Q: What Should I Know About Attention Deficit Disorder?
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What is so annoying about ADHD people?

Anyone can be annoying, but waht may be found exasperating about people with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is how they don't focus as well as others, lose concentration, and have endless amounts of energy when the rest of us want to cool down. I know a person with ADHD. How she loses concentration and gets distracted can be frustrating but it's a disorder; and she's great at a sleepover if you're pulling an all nighter, too.


Is she attention seeking?

In order to know if she is attention seeking one would need to know more information about her and who she is.


Is it wrong to flirt date a guy with a mental disorder I don't know exactly what he has he's just socially awkward and not all there?

If you are not sure, you should not flirt around with him. He may have a mental disorder, which can be exacerbated by flirting or contact that leads to mixed signals.


Why do women flirt and touch men?

To get their attention or you know do it


Conduct disorder?

DefinitionConduct disorder is a disorder of childhood and adolescence that involves chronic behavior problems, such as:Defiant, impulsive, or antisocial behaviorDrug useCriminal activityCauses, incidence, and risk factorsConduct disorder has been associated with:Child abuseFamily conflictsGenetic defectsParental drug addiction or alcoholismPovertyThe diagnosis is more common among boys.It is hard to know how common the disorder is, because many of the qualities necessary to make the diagnosis (such as "defiance" and "rule breaking") can be hard to define. For an accurate diagnosis, the behavior must be far more extreme than simple adolescent rebellion or boyish exuberance.Conduct disorder is often associated with attention-deficit disorder. Both conditions carry a major risk for alcohol and/or other drug dependence.Conduct disorder also can be an early sign of depression or bipolar disorder.Children with conduct disorder tend to be impulsive, difficult to control, and unconcerned about the feelings of others.SymptomsAntisocial behaviors, such as bullying and fightingBreaking rules without apparent reasonCruel or aggressive behavior toward people and animals (fights, using dangerous weapons, forced sexual activity, mugging, or purse snatching)Destruction of property (deliberately setting fires, breaking and entering, destroying other people's property)Heavy drinking and/or heavy illicit drug useLying to get a favor or avoid obligationsRunning awayTruancy (beginning before age 13)VandalismSigns and testsSome of the common signs of conduct disorder are:BullyingFightingStaying out at night without concern for curfew or other limitsThese children often make no effort to hide their aggressive behaviors and have difficulty making close friends. The diagnosis is made based on a history of these kinds of behaviors.TreatmentSuccessful treatment requires close involvement of the child's family. Parents can learn techniques to help manage their child's problem behavior.In cases of abuse, the child may need to be removed from the family and placed in a less chaotic environment. Treatment with medications or talk therapy may be used for depression and attention-deficit disorder, which commonly accompany conduct disorder.Many "behavioral modification" schools, "wilderness programs," and "boot camps" are sold to parents as solutions for conduct disorder. These may use a form of "attack therapy" or "confrontation," which can actually be harmful. There is no research support for such techniques. Research suggests that treating children at home, along with their families, is more effective.If you are considering an inpatient program, be sure to check it out thoroughly. Serious injuries and deaths have been associated with some programs. They are not regulated in many states.Expectations (prognosis)Children who have severe or frequent symptoms tend to have the poorest outlook. Expectations are also worse for those who have other illnesses, such as mood and drug abuse disorders.ComplicationsChildren with conduct disorder may go on to develop personality disorders as adults, particularly antisocial personality disorder. As their behaviors worsen, these individuals may also develop significant drug and legal problems. Depression and bipolar disorder may develop in adolescence and early adulthood.Calling your health care providerSee your health care provider if your child:Continually gets in troubleHas mood swingsIs bullying othersIs being victimizedSeems to be overly aggressiveEarly treatment may help.PreventionThe sooner the treatment for conduct disorder is started, the more likely the child will learn adaptive behaviors and prevent some of the potential complications.ReferencesConduct disorder. In: Moore DP, Jefferson JW. Handbook of Medical Psychiatry. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby; 2004:chap 24.Thomas CR. Evidence-based practice for conduct disorder symptoms. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2006;45:109-114.Whittinger NS. Clinical precursors of adolescent conduct disorder in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2007;46:179-187.

Related questions

Does Kristen Stewart suffer from a disease?

No she does not. I am her cousin madeleine I know. trust me.


How does one know if they are attention deficit?

One knows they are attention deficit if they have trouble with concentration, restlessness, lack of motivation,disinterested or a lack of willingness to adhere.Only a practicing physician can fully diagnose a patient for treatment.


What does A.D.D stand for I really need to know because it's in a Blink182 song called Whats my age again.?

Attention deficit disorder


Do you know of any special online family resources for a family with an ADD child?

The national institute of mental health has a wide variety of resources related to ADD and ADHD. You can find it at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/complete-index.shtml


What types of medicine books are available about children?

There are many different medical books available about children. They vary from childhoods diseases like diabetes, to Attention Deficit Disorder, to even nuclear medicince. Other books have been written for the parent to know what to expect as their child grows.


What advice would you give a parent for a child diagnosed with attention deficit disorder?

That nutting wrong with it born with it just talk your child let them know what they have 2 let know side effects 2 it then if need know more information look up some stuff about it online and show them causes and effects what going 2 do in your life when you get older.