Dr. Wojo. Healthy Living. Simplified.

When we think of forgetfulness or lack of focus, we usually write that off to either the young or the old. But there might be a clinical diagnosis for adults who suffer from these same aliments combined with the fidgets, lack of motivation, procrastination and sporadic memory loss. It’s called Adult Attention Deficit Disorder or Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Yes, we all have brief episodes of these symptoms, but for those that are plagued with these characteristics, their lives are miserable, particularly when not diagnosed. So before you call your co-worker who never seems to be able to complete projects on time or continually forgets about appointments a “scatterbrain” or “clueless,” you may want to look into what exactly ADD is.

What is this condition? There has been a lot of publicity recently on this disorder called Adult Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). In general, Adult ADD is the more common term, as the hyperactivity component of this disorder usually fades in adulthood.

How common is this condition? Adult ADD is a fairly common condition affecting about four percent of all adults. It is certainly more common in children, with six to nine percent prevalence. It is interesting to see that in the 1970s, ADD was thought only to affect children and that the disorder was outgrown. What has happened is that some children gain better control of their symptoms and the hyperactivity component seems to diminish in adulthood. It is clear that the impulsive acts may persist throughout adult life.

What are the symptoms? Medical professionals have identified some key symptoms that may be suggestive of Adult ADD. These include difficulty paying attention, distraction, difficulty planning and meeting deadlines, interrupting others while speaking, difficulty following directions, procrastination and impulsiveness.

Many of these symptoms may be present and persistent. Periods of stress can make a lot of these activities difficult to perform. A great deal of individuals with Adult ADD are very creative and energetic. When appropriately directed, they can accomplish a lot of things. Unfortunately, this activity can interfere with interpersonal relationships at home, school and work.

What can be done? Initially, one must be suspect of the disorder, especially if it has been unrecognized as a child. Today, it seems that we are much more in tune to the disorder and we may begin to consider this as a diagnosis. There are several simple screening tools that are available from your health care provider or even on the Internet. The screening tool may include a self-assessment questionnaire. Once there is suspicion that an adult may suffer from ADD, professional help should be sought.

What is the treatment? After a firm diagnosis is made by a health care professional, a variety of treatment options may be proposed depending on the severity of the disorder, as well as other associated conditions such as depression or anxiety.

Initial treatment may include a variety of behavior modification techniques and recommendations to become organized and stay organized. A simple modification may include the use of checklists and reminders that will help the individual keep focused.

The use of medication has long proven successful in children and the use of stimulants such as Ritalin and Adderall have been used. It may seem confusing that physicians would prescribe a stimulant to a hyperactive person, but it has what is called a paradoxical (opposite) effect. A new medication was approved in January 2003, called Strattera, which does have an indication for Adult ADD. The success on the use of this medication will require time for evaluation.

What should I do? If you believe that you or a friend suffers from Adult ADD, you need to gather some information. The Internet is a very powerful information tool, but you must be careful. I recommend Web sites that are sponsored by an academic institution, such as a medical school.

If you feel that the diagnosis of Adult ADD applies to your situation, seek a health professional that is well versed in the subject and treatment. A recent study has shown that only a third of physicians that provide primary care is very knowledgeable in the treatment of the disorder. A wide variety of treatment of modalities are available that offer hope for a full and enriching life.