Frequently Asked Questions about ADD / ADHD

What is Attention Deficit Disorder?

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a syndrome which is usually characterized by serious and persistent difficulties resulting in:

• poor attention span
• weak impulse control
• hyperactivity (not in all cases)

ADD also has a subtype which includes hyperactivity (ADHD). It is a treatable disorder which affects approximately 3 to 6 percent of the population (70% in relatives of ADD children).

Inattentiveness, impulsivity, and often times, hyperactivity, are common characteristics of the disorder. Boys with ADD tend to outnumber girls by 3 to 1, although ADD in girls is under identified.

The term ADD is usually referring to ADHD. ADD without hyperactivity is also known as ADD/WO (Without) or Undifferentiated ADD.

What are some common statistics on adult Attention Deficit Disorder?

The exact statistics on Adult Attention Deficit Disorder are unknown at this time, though several studies done in recent years estimate that between 30 percent and 70 percent of children with ADHD continue to exhibit symptoms of adult Attention Deficit Disorder in the adult years.

What are the common symptoms of ADD/ADHD?

• fidgeting with hands or feet
• difficulty remaining seated
• being easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
• difficulty awaiting turn in games or group activities
• blurting out answers before questions are completed
• difficulty in following instructions
• difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities
• shifting from one incomplete task to another
• talking excessively
• interrupting or intruding on others
• not listening to what is being said
• forgetting things necessary for tasks or activities
• engaging in physically dangerous activities without considering possible consequences

What Causes ADD/ADHD?

A single cause has not been conclusively proven (idiopathic). Some possibilities are:

• Genetic/ Hereditary
• Brain damage (head trauma) before, after or during birth
• Brain damage by toxins (internal: bacterial and viral, external: fetal alcohol syndrome, metal intoxication, e.g. lead)
• Strongly held belief by some people (including at least one book, Feingold's Cookbook for Hyperactive Children) that food allergies cause ADD. This has not been proven scientifically.
• Chemical imbalance of key neurotransmitters
• Structural brain differences