ADD or ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) as it is sometimes referred to, is the condition of limited attention span suffered for a prolonged time by the person affected by this neurological disorder; it manifests itself in various forms such as motor restlessness and impulsiveness displayed by patients with nearly 4.
4% of adults possessing a certain degree of ADD, suggests medical research.
ADD, as we understand it, is a problem related to the brain dysfunction or limitation as such, that is a result of malfunctioning of its dopamine neurotransmitter systems; it is typically linked with hereditary factors, which makes it a strong probability for a child with a parent or close relative with ADD to also share the disorder and its adversities.
As far as twins are concerned, ADD has a stronger chance (50%) of occurring in the second child if one has been diagnosed with it.
While the earlier viewpoint about causes of ADD were mainly linked to poor nutritional habits, recent scientific research dismisses this claim as being incorrect and prefers to deal in a like manner with other myths about ADD occurring, such as allergy, inadequate parenting measures or drugs etc.
The medical experts of today lay more emphasis on ADD having been caused due to intense head injury, a fetallead alcohol syndrome, lead toxicity cases and even thyroid irregularities which they feel need to be completely ruled out as probable causes before a person is attributed with having ADD.
Being diagnosed with ADD means that the person is receiving an insufficient supply of neuro-chemicals, which simply means proper stimulation to the brain cells is missing and this results in the brain having to find other ways to release these chemicals.
This is why individuals with ADD are prone to being involved in excessive physical activity, movements and situations that require them to stimulate their brains in an enhanced manner so as to meet this challenge, but it is not always a conscious decision on their part rather, it is a reflex action for them.
Among the chief disadvantages caused to people suffering from ADD due to the hyperactivity levels is that they are ill-equipped mentally and physiologically to deal with demanding circumstances that may not necessarily appeal to them or their level of activity; thus, issues like school work that are less than stimulating may actually be off-putting for ADD-ers and is likely to get adversely affected with the child suffering low grades and rebukes from teachers.
A story based on the times when information about ADD was scarce goes along these lines: an ADD affected kid would suddenly get up on his desk when the class was being conducted and start telling jokes, humoring everyone much to the chagrin of those present and though his attempt was purely to be entertaining and people initially though it humorous, he did come to be regarded as a disturbing element.
However, soon it was realized that the child suffered from ADD and these actions were actually beyond his control.
Others who are not so lucky to be understood as being identified with ADD can suffer serious consequences of this disorder, including damage to personal relationships, lack the ability to be permanently employedand suffer depression or get involved with dubious activities just to stimulate themselves, which can also have legal consequences.