Q:I hear a lot about attention defi-cit disorders in young children attending school but I do not hear much about it in adults. Is this a condition that goes away when a person becomes an adult or is it one of those things that does not get recognized in the adult world?
A:ADD is a biological condition causing inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. It can interfere with academic progress, occupational success and social interaction.
About three to five percent of all schoolchildren will have it. While some children grow out of this condition as they mature into adulthood, most do not.
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About 60 percent of children diagnosed with ADD will have it when they become adults. The extent to which it presents problems to many adults is not as well known.
Adults with ADD often struggle with physical and mental health problems, anxiety, chronic stress and tensions and low self-esteem. They often have trouble holding onto jobs and generally have poor track records managing their finances.
They tend to have trouble at home. They are not always able to maintain long-term intimate relationships and some have been known to be abusive to loved ones.
At times, they can be the life of the party but by the end of the evening, their friends have tired of them and wish that they would either leave or slow down.
While ADD cannot be cured, it can be treated. Many with this condition have successfully graduated from university and many more are successful entrepreneurs in the world of commerce.
The problem is that the support systems that were available to them through public school disappear when they graduate.
ADD adults sense that they have been abandoned and not supported in the larger community. The search for assistance should begin with family physicians and a commitment to whatever medication they and their doctors believe will help them.
Medication alone will not resolve their problems. They should also put order and structure into their daily routines. They need to follow regular and demanding exercise programs and they should work with a nutritionist to ensure they are getting the proper nutrients in their diets.
They need to practise time management and associate with people who will encourage and support them through their struggles.
Students with ADD will find disabled student offices that will help them make their way through their studies with some degree of success. Those with ADD entering the work force may find counsellors in various employment agencies who will help them locate opportunities best suited to their skills and abilities.
The key to success for people with ADD is much the same as it is for people with other disabilities. They need to be open to receive support and encouragement from their family and friends and their professional communities.
Trying to go it alone or follow a heroic and independent journey will likely be more difficult and discouraging.
Jacklin Andrews is a family counsellor from Saskatchewan. Contact: jandrews@producer.com.
