American media reports continue to perpetuate myths surrounding Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) i.e., "ADD is over diagnosed, it doesn't exist, it's an excuse for teachers who don't want to, or know how to teach and discipline students."
To set the record straight, ADD is not over diagnosed, it is a very real disorder, and teachers are working harder than ever to teach and remain in control of their classrooms. Attention Deficit Disorder is a learning disability. Furthermore, humans probably have been afflicted with this problem since the beginning of time.
" 'As early as the 17th century, the philosopher John Locke described a perplexing group of young students who, 'try as they might, they cannot keep their minds from straying.' " Amen M.D. (2001)
ADD most likely didn't pose as great a problem in 17th century agrarian societies as it does today. Tending to animals and planting crops, didn't require the focus one needs in order to learn in modern classrooms. Additionally, mass education was not the norm.
What is the Difference Between ADD and ADHD
In past years the acronyms ADD and ADHD were used to separate Attention Deficit Disorder without hyperactivity (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder ADHD. Today, ADD is used to describe both disorders by the professional community although the changeover hasn't been completed yet.
Symptoms of ADD
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Psychiatric Association (DSM) lists a set of core symptoms of ADD:
- short attention span for regular, routine tasks
- distractibility
- organizational problems (space and time)
- difficulty with follow-through
- poor internal supervision
These symptoms impact children in the classroom in many ways:
- an inability to focus on lessons
- disorganization of desk leading to lost assignments
- losing homework
- daydreaming for a significant part of the day
- poor social skills due to impulsiveness
The lives of adults with Attention Deficit Disorder are also impacted by this learning disability in the following ways:
- inability to keep living environment, car, finances, etc. organized
- losing things frequently, i.e. keys, important papers
- poor follow through on commitments
- poor listening skills
- difficulty with interpersonal relationships
The Different Facets of Attention Deficit Disorder
Dr. Daniel G. Amen, M.D., author of Healing ADD, has done extensive brain imaging studies of people with ADD and identifies six types of ADD:
- Type 1 ADD is the classic ADD and evident in infancy. The infant is colicky, very active, and difficult to soothe. The classic ADD is accompanied by restlessness and hyperactivity. As the infants get older, they like to bring negative attention to themselves.
- Type 2 ADD is the inattentive ADD. Unfortunately, many of these people never get diagnosed. Instead they are labeled slow, lazy, spacey, or unmotivated. They tend to be quiet and unlike type 1 do not like to attract attention. In the classroom, they daydream and look out the window.
- Type 3 ADD, the over-focused ADD, worries excessively, is oppositional and argumentative and tends to get stuck in negative thoughts.
- Type 4 ADD, the temporal lobe ADD, is associated with people who have severe behavioral problems, i.e. temper, mood instability, learning disabilities, and memory problems.
- Type 5 ADD, Limbic ADD, associated with negativity, moodiness, sadness, low energy, and decreased interest in life (depression).
- Type 6 ADD, "Ring of Fire" ADD. These people have too much brain activity and are associated with anger and aggression.
For those who believe they or their children, may suffer from ADD, it is important to listen to and weigh the advice of professionals; not the vast number of armchair psychologists ready to give advice. Relying on the advice of friends, family, or even the media is not in the best interest of the ADD inflicted. Extensive research has and will continue to be done in this area. There are many well-qualified experts in the field of ADD. These are the people to consult.
Sources:
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Psychiatric Association (DSM)
Healing ADD Amen, M.D., Daniel G.
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