15 Things You Need to Know About Attention Deficit Disorder

Statistics show that more than 6.4-million American children are living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, (ADD.) ADD experienced a 42-percent increase in diagnoses over the last eight years, with more than 6.1-percent of American children requiring the use of medication to manage their condition.

ADD affects both children and teens, with some cases extending into the adult population as well. As of 2019, ADD is now the most commonly diagnosed mental disorder in children, and if statistics are anything to go by, then we can expect this trend to continue.

Parents of children diagnosed with ADD should take the time to increase their awareness of the condition, and how it affects the behavior of their child. Resorting to the use of medication to manage the disorder should be a last resort for any concerned parent, but in some cases, it may be necessary.

1.    ADD is a Real Mental Disorder

Almost every medical association across the Continental United States agrees that ADD is a genuine mental health disorder affecting millions of Americans. 

ADD describes two types of mental disorders; ADD and ADHD. Attention deficit disorder, ADD, describes a condition where the affected individual experiences poor working memory, as well as an inability to pay attention and distractibility. ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder describes a condition where the patient is impulsive and hyperactive.

Patients who are dealing with ADD may find that they are slow to make decisions, and they struggle to maintain focus, especially when they cannot relate to the material. Students with the disorder may tend to daydream in a class or fall asleep when they fail to understand concepts and topics.

Kids with ADHD feel like they can’t sit still when they get bored, and they may develop impulsive and reckless behavior when left to their own devices.