ADHD, which is sometimes referred to as ADD (Attention-Deficit Disorder), is characterized by chronic and serious symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. While prevalence estimates vary, approximately five to seven percent of school-aged children in the United States meet the full criteria for ADHD, with a large majority continuing to exhibit significant impairment into adulthood. Criticisms such as “ADHD is really just a result of bad parenting” and “all children have ADHD symptoms” abound. However, plentiful and carefully-conducted research has established this condition commonly emerged from abnormal neurological processes, exists throughout the developed world, and genetics and other biological factors—not parenting, television, video games, or diet—explain, by far, the greatest degree of risk for developing ADHD. Impairments that are commonly associated with ADHD include:
- Academic underachievement and failure
- Difficulty establishing and maintaining friendships
- Disciplinary problems in school
- Disrupted family relationships
- Mood, anxiety, learning, and substance use disorders
- Instability in employment
- Accidental injury
- Negative outcomes in driving (e.g., traffic violations, accidents)
Signs of ADHD:
- An inability to follow through on directions or maintain focus on a lengthy task
- Failing to retain important details from conversations, even when being directly spoken to
- Often losing things necessary for an activity or task
- Frequent forgetfulness or failure to pay attention to details
- Fidgeting in excess compared to others the same age
- Avoiding situations in which it is necessary to sit still for long periods
- Loud and disruptive behavior—but not in an antagonistic way—regardless of the situation
- Intruding on conversations or blurting out responses or questions at inappropriate times
- Jumping to the front of line or frequently experiencing difficulty waiting one’s turn
Keep in mind that such symptoms must be present well in excess of the norm for the age of the individual. For instance, few four-year-olds could complete a six-step task without assistance, but most could complete a two-step task on their own. Failure to do the latter—but not the former—might be a sign of ADHD.
Things You Can Do:
- Learn more about ADHD. You might first consult the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th edition, text revision) by the American Psychiatric Association. Some other titles include ADHD: A Complete and Authoritative Guide (American Academy of Pediatrics), Russell Barkley’s Taking Charge of ADHD: The Complete, Authoritative Guide for Parents (Revised Edition), and Kelly and Ramundo’s You Mean I’m Not Lazy, Stupid, or Crazy?!: The Classic Self-Help Book for Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder.
- Get organized. Buy and use a day planner or an electronic equivalent. Set alarms and other reminders to keep you on time and on task. Schedule frequent, small blocks of time to get things done, instead of relying on long stretches during which you are likely to get distracted. Break long tasks down into smaller subtasks, and use checklists to ensure you complete your work successfully.
- If added structure and organization do not do the trick, it may be time to consult a professional. See a psychologist or other professional therapist and discuss your concerns and problems. Get an official assessment to find out if you do indeed have ADHD.
- Identify how ADHD impacts your life. Are the things it is keeping you from succeeding important for you and your overall goals? If not, perhaps you can modify your activities to reduce the impact of your symptoms.
- Consult with your family doctor or, better yet, a psychiatrist, pediatrician, or other physician who specializes in treating psychological disorders, about the possibility of medication to reduce the level of your inattention and hyperactivity. While there are sometimes side effects, this remains the most direct and effective option to address ADHD.
- If your own attempts to become better organized and focused are not successful, see a professional therapist about cognitive-behavioral therapy that builds skills and changes your approach to everyday problems and tasks. Such a therapeutic relationship can also be a place to help you succeed in relationships and cope with any emotional fallout from difficulties associated with ADHD.
Help is Available
It may benefit you to talk to someone at the Counseling Center. Stop by during our Initial Consultation hours Monday-Friday 8:30-11:00 a.m. & 1:00-4:00 p.m., or call (828) 262-3180. We can talk with you about your concerns. You may also learn more by checking our other links, or completing an online screening.
Crisis Services
If you or another AppState student is experiencing suicidal and/or homicidal thoughts or experiencing trauma in regard to a sexual assault, you may contact us after hours by calling the Counseling Center at (828) 262-3180 and select the option to speak with the counselor on call.
