ADD and ADHD – Do You Suspect Someone You Know Needs to Be Evaluated for Attention Deficit Disorder?

What is ADD/ADHD?

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are genetic disorders that result in a lack of blood flow in the frontal lobe of the brain. This results in a poor attention span, impulsive behavior, and/or hyperactivity. People rarely grow out of ADD/ADHD.

Is ADD or ADHD over diagnosed today?

It may be misdiagnosed. For instance, if a child has a parent with an ‘I am the boss’ parenting style, the child may exhibit many symptoms that an ADD/ADHD child exhibits. Symptoms similar to those of ADD/ADHD may also be indicative of mood, cognitive, or personality disorders. Many evaluators use the Conrad ADHD Test (with a reliability of 40%) as the assessment tool to diagnose ADD/ADHD; however, Dr. Worthing uses the ADHDT by PRO-ED, Inc., which has a reliability of over 90%.

What are the three types of ADD/ADHD and their symptoms?

*Not all need to be present

Inattentive Type

Poor Concentration
Fails to Finish Projects
Disorganized
Poor Planning Ability
Absentminded
Inattentive
Difficulty Following Directions
Short Attention Span
Easily Distracted
Difficulty Staying on Task
Difficulty Completing Tasks
Frequently Loses Things

Impulsive Type

Acts before Thinking
Shifts from One Activity to the Next
Fails to Wait for One’s Turn
Difficulty Waiting Turn
Blurts Out Answers
Impulsive
Interrupts Conversations
Intrudes on Others
Does Not Wait for Directions
Fails to Follow Rules

Hyperactive Type

Loud
Constantly ‘On-The-Go’
Excessive Activity
Wiggling in Seat
Easily Excited
Grabs Objects
Excessive Talking
Manipulates Objects
Inability to Play Quietly
Fidgets/Restless/Squirms

What are the Life-Altering Aspects of Untreated ADD or ADHD?

• More than 40% of children with ADHD indulge in early tobacco and alcohol abuse, compared with 30% or less of those without ADHD.
• Up to 58% of children with ADHD have failed a grade in school. In one study, 46% of children with ADHD had been suspended from school.
• As many as 30% of adolescents with ADHD will drop out of or fail to complete high school, compared with 10% of those without ADHD.
• On average, in their first 2 years of driving, adolescents with ADHD are involved in automobile accidents significantly more often; they are more likely both to be at fault and to incur bodily injuries in such accidents than are those without the disorder.
• 38% of young adults with ADHD are likely to have been pregnant or to have caused a pregnancy, compared with 4% of those without ADHD.
• 17% of young adults with ADHD are likely to have contracted a sexually transmitted disease, compared with 4% of those without ADHD.
• Some research has shown that when children with ADHD reach adulthood, up to 79% of them may complain of difficulties with symptoms of anxiety, sadness, and physical ailments, compared with 51% of those without ADHD.
• Adults with ADHD are 78% more likely to be addicted to tobacco or smoking, compared with those without ADHD.
• ADHD adults (compared with those without it) are 58% more likely to use illegal drugs.
• Over an extended study period, the overall medical costs for persons with ADHD were more than twice those of individuals without the disorder ($4,300 vs. $1,900).

The Importance of An Accurate Diagnosis: ADHD Is Similar to Other Disorders

Symptoms of ADHD

Easily distracted, poor concentration
Excessive activity, restlessness
Acts before thinking
Interrupts, blurts out answers
Easily excited
Impulsive, self-defeating behavior
Conflict-seeking behavior

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

Distractibility
Increased activity or agitation
Impulsive, poor judgment
Rapid, pressured speech at times
Elevated mood or extremely social
Self-destructive behavior

Carol Ann Worthing, PhD of Individual & Family Wholeness, is a psychotherapist in private practice since 1992. She has her PhD in Psychology from Northcentral University in Arizona. She provides a safe and caring approach to your psychotherapy and evaluations for individuals, couples, families, and children. Her practice represents integrity, competency, and confidentiality, a safe and caring place for psychotherapy. It is her mission to guide you and your family to become emotionally and psychologically whole and to help you deliberately build your lives and families on that wholeness. 30 mg vyvanse