As attention deficit hyperactive disorder and attention deficit disorder come to the forefront in health discussions in the media and in schools, it is vital to address the symptoms and understand what sets ADD/ADHD apart from other disorders.According to the National Institutes of Health, ADHD is “a problem with inattentiveness, over-activity, impulsivity, or a combination (of both).”Dr. Jeffrey Rinsky, a Colorado Springs child psychiatrist, added that ADD/ADHD is “a lack of inhibition of the frontal lobes.” Children and adults with the disorder show a lower level of activity in the parts of the brain that control activity level and attention.The simple – and most basic – difference between ADHD and ADD is the hyperactivity component.According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the main symptoms of ADD/ADHD are impulsiveness, hyperactivity and inattention. Because these symptoms also mirror other health problems, such as allergies, nutritional deficiencies and behavioral problems, difficulties in diagnosing ADD/ADHD abound.Lawrence Diller, a medical doctor who practices behavioral pediatrics and the author of the book, “Running on Ritalin: A Physician Reflects on Children, Society and Performance in a Pill,” acknowledges that a diagnosis of ADD/ADHD can help children and their families understand that these problems may not be just willful bad behavior. However, he said there are several troubling aspects with diagnosing ADD/ADHD.Because there is no definitive marker, medical or psychological, to diagnose ADD/ADHD, diagnosis is oftentimes based on a patient’s history of symptoms as described by parents and teachers.According to HealthAtoZ.com: “Fear, bereavement, child abuse, mild seizures, learning disabilities and a variety of mental disorders can make children seem hyperactive, impulsive or inattentive, even if they do not have ADD/ADHD. Class work that is too easy or too hard can lead to boredom, inattention or hyperactivity at school. Medical conditions, such as chronic ear infections or undiagnosed visual impairment, can produce ADHD-like behaviors, but such children are showing the effects of other problems, not ADHD.”The best advice for parents seeking help for a child who may be ADD/ADHD is to seek a psychiatrist. However, Rinsky said, since there is a shortage of child psychiatrists, “The majority of diagnoses are made by pediatricians and family doctors. But the best way is by a child psychiatrist.”Rinsky said part of his evaluation process is based on “diagnostic inter-behavioral observations by parents and teachers.” And, depending on the child’s degree of self-awareness, he also considers the child’s evaluation of himself.Diagnosing adultsDiller said criteria for diagnosing ADD/ADHD has loosened in the past few decades, leading to more diagnosis in adults. The “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychiatric Disorders” requires that a patient show symptoms before age 7 to be diagnosed with ADD/ADHD. Most adults don’t have memories of their early childhoods or have access to records that prove they had symptoms. As a result, that criterion has been overlooked in diagnosing adults, and some experts have called for it to be eliminated, Diller said.Self-assessment, which includes performance at work and home, is important in diagnosing adults, according to HealthAtoZ.com. Adults with ADD/ADHD may feel frustrated they’re not fully using their intellectual potential. They may be restless and bored; others may describe themselves as “excitement seekers.” Often adults with ADD/ADHD have a history of frequent job changes and recall times throughout their lives that they were impatient, overly active, disorganized or impulsive.In diagnosing adults, an evaluation of the person by a spouse is a valuable source of information, Rinsky said. As people age, those who are ADD/ADHD do not outgrow the problems related to inattention and a lack of focus, although hyperactivity may lessen, he said.ADD/ADHD treatmentTreatment of ADD/ADHD mainly includes stimulant-type medications; two of the most common are Adderall and Ritalin.Alternative treatments include nutritional therapy, biofeedback, herbal medicines and behavioral therapy. “In the large-scale studies, nothing is as effective as the medicine,” Rinsky said. He added that individuals might respond differently to each type of treatment and medication.The good news about ADD/ADHDDr. Lara Honos-Webb, who holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and authored the book, “The Gift of ADHD: How to Transform Your Child’s Problems into Strengths,” said typical methods of measuring success in school-age children involve memorizing details and “regurgitating” the material back to the teacher. This type of learning is the most difficult for the child with ADD/ADHD, she said.”Children with ADHD are excellent at getting the big picture, in and out of the classroom,” Honos-Webb said. “Students with ADHD may miss the little details, but they are masters at understanding the importance and meaning of material.” People with ADD/ADHD are creative, curious, and able to solve problems in unique, out-of-the-ordinary ways, she said.According to Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD), a support organization, adults with ADD/ADHD, if they learn to channel their creativity and energy, can be highly successful in the workplace, often becoming successful entrepreneurs.Thomas EdisonMany ADD/ADHD diagnosed children and adults are creative and highly intelligent.Teresa Gallagher, author of BorntoExplore.org and the mother of an ADHD child, said Thomas Edison is the most commonly cited historical person representing all the traits common to those diagnosed with ADD/ADHD.Edison burnt down a barn before he was 6 years old; he constantly annoyed adults with his questions and, between the ages of 7 and 9, was dismissed from three schools because the teachers had no patience for him. As an adult, he lost many jobs.Gallagher wrote, “By the end of his career, Edison had received 1,093 patents and was credited for inventing the electric light bulb, the central power generating station, the phonograph, the flexible celluloid film and movie projector, and alkaline storage battery and the microphone.”Because Edison so aptly illustrated the traits of ADD/ADHD, many call ADD/ADHD the “Edison Trait.”Lucy Jo Palladine, Ph.D., author of “The Edison Trait – Saving the Spirit of Your Nonconforming Child,” wrote, “Your Edison-trait child has an inventory of positive qualities: openness to multiple sights, sounds and thoughts; a daring or wandering imagination; a global perspective; creative urges or compelling attraction for new ideas; and intense focus on his own pursuits and interests. These are attributes of his outstanding gift for divergent thinking.”Divergent thinkers change the world. And what it takes to develop an “inventory of positive qualities” is awareness, diagnosis and perhaps treatment, when warranted.
