It is estimated that about 17 million people in the United States have attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD). Despite media stories about over-diagnosis, The Journal of the American Medical Association concluded that there is no evidence to support this view. Only about one third of those who have ADD receive treatment.

ADD is a neurological syndrome that is usually genetically transmitted. Classic symptoms of attention deficit are distractibility, difficulty focusing, and low tolerance for boredom. The person may also be forgetful, disorganized, fail to follow through on instructions or fail to complete tasks. When there is also a hyperactive or impulsive component the person will often be restless and fidgety, have difficulty sitting still for long periods, talk excessively, interrupt others, or be accident prone. There are other symptoms as well, and not all symptoms need to be present for the diagnosis to be made. Many people without ADD have some of these same symptoms but it is the duration, frrequency and intensity of symptoms that distinguishes those with the disorder from those without.

Many do not know that they have the condition but have always wondered why they could not reach their goals or why they were under-achievers. Untreated ADD often leads to job problems, failed relationships,and low self-esteem. Persons with this condition have much higher rates of depression, anxiety and substance abuse or dependency than the general population.

I do assessments for ADD/ADHD on adults and adolescents. My treatment approach includes education, insight into how the disorder has affected one's life, and teaching coping skills to better manage troublesome symptoms. I sometimes work with couples with one (or both) partners having ADD. The ADD person's symptomatic behaviors often impacts the relationship negatively, especially when the partner is not knowledgeable about the disorder.

For a time I taught parenting classes for parents of ADD children and now work with parents in my practice. Perhaps the best treatment intervention for ADD children is for the parents to be knowledgeable, be able to advocate for their children, and learn how they can help their children function at their best.