Attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. While this could be developed at any point in a person’s life, it is very rare that an adult diagnosis is not the result of an undiagnosed childhood condition. The symptoms vary slightly between juvenile and adult ADD, but most of the traits are the same.
Years ago, ADD and ADHD cases were rarely seen. Instead of treatment or therapy, children were labeled as trouble makers, brats, or lazy. Once it was a common diagnosis, many parents still didn’t seek treatment. They may have not wanted their child labeled or were scared by the horror stories of over-drugged children. Less severe cases often resulted in children who learned on their own how to cope with the disorder by developing methods to compensate in school and at home.
It’s not uncommon for people to go through their entire lives without knowing exactly why they have problems concentrating or why they have impulse control problems. After all, just because ADD and ADHD are fairly recent medical discoveries, it doesn’t mean that no one had the condition before that point in time. It can be assumed that ADD and ADHD have been common conditions throughout history.
If you have problems concentrating or staying focused, problems with impulse control, or a feeling of inner restlessness, you could have ADD or ADHD. Your local mental health center or any qualified therapist can diagnose you and provide a plan of treatment. Keep in mind that ADD and ADHD symptoms overlap with many other disorders and a misdiagnosis can happen. If you don’t agree with the results, don’t feel bad about seeking a second opinion.
Many people find that medication, therapy, or a combination of the two make life changing differences for them. Sometimes, people with ADD or ADHD experience a profound sense of relief just knowing that there is a reason for some of their problems. If you feel that you may have this condition, take advantage of all that modern health medicine has to offer.