Advances in Attention Deficit Disorder and Treatment

According to the American Psychiatric Association, Attention Deficit Disorder (with or without hyperactivity) is a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity and impulsiveness that causes significant social and educational difficulties. Its onset is typically prior to seven years of age.

While Attention Deficit Disorder was once considered a mental disorder solely of childhood, within the past decade it has become clear that adults also suffer from “residual” Attention Deficit Disorder that was present in childhood but may have gone undiagnosed. Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity are terms used interchangeably. (ADD and ADHD) Behavioral science identifies three sub-types of this condition: (1) inattentive type, (2) hyperactive-impulsive type, and (3) combined type.

What are the Effects of Attention Deficit Disorder?

In children, Attention Deficit Disorder causes learning difficulties due to their inability to concentrate on schoolwork, social and personal interactional problems, inattention to home and school tasks, failure to complete tasks, failure to follow instructions, impulsivity, dislike of waiting in lines or for their turn to speak, and being easily distracted.

In adults, this condition creates numerous social and occupational problems. Adults may fail in a workplace that requires concentration and focus. Work may be sloppy and incomplete. The adult frequently has conflicts with bosses and co-workers due to lack of social skills. They often have problems keeping a job.

Both children and adults with this condition are frequently bored with tasks and abandon them incomplete. They have trouble listening to others and seem to daydream. They fidget, disturb other people, and talk too much, often interrupting others. They can also be clumsy and accident-prone due to inattention.

Is There Treatment for Attention Deficit Disorder?

Even though there is no permanent cure for Attention Deficit Disorder, there is treatment. The condition is successfully treated with psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle changes such as dietary modification. Traditional medications such as Ritalin, Cylert, Dexedrine, Adderall, and Haldol successfully provide medicinal treatment for Attention Deficit Disorder.

These are stimulant drugs that allow a child or adult to concentrate and focus. But stimulant drugs have side effects and definite other undesirable problems such as stomach ache, loss of appetite, nervousness and insomnia.

Two years ago, a new drug, Strattera, created a revolution in the treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder. The first drug of its type, Strattera is not a psycho stimulant drug and it is effective for both adults and children with no long-terms problems such as stimulant addiction.

Psychotherapy is a very important treatment for people with Attention Deficit Disorder because they very often lack social skills. Through “coaching” a patient, both children and adults can learn to get along better with friends, co-workers, family members and authority figures.