What is AD(H)D?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) are neuro-physiological (brain pathway) disorders with genetic inheritance. The imbalance of energy in these pathways results in the symptoms and behaviors that characterize the disorder. The cognitive effects of ADD/ADHD directly involve Executive (decision making) Function and Working Memory, while its behaviors center on hyperactivity and impulsivity.

ADD/ADHD affects about 5% of children and 2.5% of adults worldwide. It has seemingly become more apparent in recent years, due to advances in computer technology and the vast amounts of data that our modern society presents. The attention deficit challenges of learning and working productively with ADD/ADHD put individuals who have it at a disadvantage. To be successful in life, they must learn how to manage and cope effectively with their condition.

The common traits of individuals with ADD/ADHD are intelligence, creativity, resourcefulness, compassion, sensitivity and generosity. An individual with ADD/ADHD will usually do anything for you, but often not when promised. When promises are broken, they are genuinely remorseful. Individuals with ADD/ADHD are not lazy, crazy or dumb individuals, although they worry about having those characteristics all of the time.

The ADD/ADHD condition is present at birth, but it usually goes un-recognized until the first years of schooling – or until the inefficiency it causes clearly restricts a person’s progress. Quite often, a person with ADD/ADHD may learn ways to compensate for it until they transition to high school, college, graduate school or their career, whenever organizational and productivity demands exceed their current compensation skills.

How Does ADHD and ADD Differs in Boys and Girls?

There are twice as many young boys with ADD/ADHD as girls, and they are much more likely to be recognized by their high activity (hyperactivity) and hasty decisions (impulsivity). Their activity level goes down, as they become teenagers, leaving them with restlessness, inattention, poor planning and impulsivity.

Girls with ADD/ADHD have the same struggles as boys, but their ADD/ADHD often goes unrecognized because they tend to have less hyperactivity and don’t want to stand out. Like the boys, they can’t sustain their attention and often wander off task (distractibility), can’t stay organized (starting /procrastinating /finishing tasks) and are likely to make emotional decisions (impulsivity). Because society often expects more social conformity of girls, they may mask their ADD/ADHD.

Common to both ADD/ADHD boys and girls is that they have much better attention when someone or something excites them. They want to know more about it and may consider it a challenge to their mastery. ADD/ADHD kids may avoid the social unpredictability of team sports, yet their intuitive sense makes them great pitchers and soccer goalies when they do play. They also seek the stimulating challenge of video games, which may be hard to self-regulate. In contrast, if they are bored, anxious or already experiencing some failure with what’s in front of them, their resistance interferes with their ability to concentrate and be productive.