Is ADD a real condition?!


Question: I took an unofficial test two days ago that said I probably have ADD. And when I found out, I thought "that totally makes sense" because my whole life is so hectic. I am 22 years old and I was home-schooled, so my teacher was my mom and so of course I didn't get tested as a child and also missed out on the ridicule that I guess everyone else gets.

Anyway, now I'm wondering if it's a real condition or if people just make it up to excuse roudy kids in school? It would be nice if it was real, because then I would know what the heck is wrong with me, that as an adult I can't remember things, miss appointments, get lost, never seem to have myself together and perpetually live in a totally messy house, despite how I was raised and my continual efforts to change.

Thoughts???


Answers: I took an unofficial test two days ago that said I probably have ADD. And when I found out, I thought "that totally makes sense" because my whole life is so hectic. I am 22 years old and I was home-schooled, so my teacher was my mom and so of course I didn't get tested as a child and also missed out on the ridicule that I guess everyone else gets.

Anyway, now I'm wondering if it's a real condition or if people just make it up to excuse roudy kids in school? It would be nice if it was real, because then I would know what the heck is wrong with me, that as an adult I can't remember things, miss appointments, get lost, never seem to have myself together and perpetually live in a totally messy house, despite how I was raised and my continual efforts to change.

Thoughts???

It is real, but many people get misdiagnosed which leads people to think it is not real, or brush it off. I have adult ADHD and I can tell the difference so much in this past week. I was on medication for my ADHD, but now am tapering off due to my health insurance changing and no longer covering the medication I was on. I am only on my 2nd week of tapering off, and I cannot focus on anything, my house is chaotic and I am so forgetful. I was doubting my diagnosis, but after going through this experience of tapering off, I think it is very real.

yes its real

It's a real condition but everyone acts like they have it. Self-diagnoses are always happening so people think it's not even a real illness. Get tested by a doctor.

I think it's real.

Yes my sister has it.

the preferred modern term is ADHD, even without the hyperactivity component

hmmm...two thumbs down, presumably from people who dont even know what "ADD" is

Attention Deficit Disorder, or ADD/ADHD, is a psychological term currently applied to anyone who meets the DSM IV diagnostic criteria for impulsivity, hyperactivity and/or inattention. The diagnostic criteria are subjective and include behavior which might be caused by a wide variety of factors, ranging from brain defects to allergies to giftedness. ADD, as currently defined, is a highly subjective description, not a specific disease.
Confusion and controversy is caused by the tendency of some mental health professionals to assume that everyone diagnosed with ADD has some mysterious, irreversible brain defect. This assumption has its roots in the very first group of severely ADD people ever studied, who suffered from encephalitis, or a swelling of the brain. We also have learned that birth defects and brain injury from toxic chemicals such as lead often cause ADD. However, over the last several decades the ADD diagnostic criteria have been so broadened as to include many people with no brain defects at all. Experts in the fields of temperament and creativity have objected that perfectly healthy people are being classified as disordered. Huge numbers of these new types of people being added to the diagnostic pot have changed the way ADD is viewed in some circles, including people like Thom Hartmann, who popularized the idea of ADDers being "Hunters in a Farmer's World". On the other hand, many argue that such people aren't ADD in the first place. Both may be correct. This website was started with the first viewpoint in mind (hence the title), but as time passes I find myself more likely to just say that many so-called ADD people are simply not ADD in the classic sense.

It is, but it's more of a thing where the person them self just doesn't try and take ADD to heart... "like uhh I have ADD it's so hard". I see what a friend does and they don't try and blame it...

I say if they stop playing videos games ect and stay home studying all day they will stay ahead of all....

I feel that it's a real condition that gets misdiagnosed A LOT. Typically if a parent thinks their kid is out of control and the parents don't want to blame themselves, they blame it on ADHD. Trust me, I've seen it happen many times. Also, as a child, I was VERY shy, and two or three of my school teachers tried to claim it was ADD. Of course, it wasn't. My opinion is that, if a teacher/parent doesn't know what to do, they blame it on ADD/ADHD. HOWEVER, I do believe that it is a real condition that some people do have. It's just that about half of them are misdiagnosed.

It is a real condition. You should do fine you just need to self discipline yourself. No, need to get medication. Break large jobs like cleaning your house into smaller ones, leave yourself notes for appointments maybe on the refrigerator or the door, getting lost well just follow the person ahead of you they are most likely going the same place.

Its really hard to say because its so common now adays and if you dont have that then you have adhd and if not that then its the hyperactive whatever. i think its all rediculas and a way to keep drug companies on top. I think that every has this so called ADD and its just that some people can handel themselves naturally and others just either want a excuse/wayout and maybe some really need meds. I dont know not a Dr. but thats my opinion

Yes I found out my daughter has it then later I had it. It was explained to me that its pretty hard in the hereditary lines.

If no one in your family has it your chances of having it is low. You will have to do a few tests and get evaluation, I have never seen a doctor yet that would just let you walk up and say "I have ADD can I have ADDERALL please?"

If you do in fact have it and get on the meds you will see a huge difference and feel different. So much easier to stay focused and keep on schedule and remember stuff.

Without it I'm a complete mess lol.

Here is a webiste to read more on it. :)

It's real, it is caused by chemicals in the brain, it's not just how you are.
IDK the whole science of it, but I know that it is a chemical problem in your brain.

Like all conditions affecting human beings you can provide a name if you want to.

When I was a kid in England, they would say about hyper-active children - 'He's got St. Vitas dance' - I don't know who St. Vitas was. But, having a name for something doesn't really help unless there is some way to overcome it.,

I wonder if some-one could find a name for my inability to tell the time correctly? I am not joking. I find it very difficult once the hands have moved off the numbers. I failed an exam once because I rushed all the questions thinking I had run out of time after getting the time wrong on the hall clock.
If there is a name for it....how does that help?

Why must you be like everyone else, anyway. I bet you are a lovely, kind, caring person - but just live your life in a muddle.

hey iv that
i find you question slighly offencive
but i also agree with you
its a condtion
but people use it as a escuse

My opinion is this:
ADD or ADHD is a specific brain condition. I think probably 90% of the people "diagnosed" with it don't truly have it. I think it's become an easy answer to the very poor typical American diet, lack of focus (kids and parents are wayy to busy), lack of exercise, etc.
I believe in garbage in, garbage out. You are what you eat.

Does the fact that depression, anxiety and ADD-type disorders have tripled in the last ten years have much to do with the increased sugar consumption in the U.S. ( 26 pounds 20 years ago to 135 lbs. of sugar per person per year today)? I think YES!

People tend to dismiss ADD because then they don't have to do anything and can toss away as being an out of control child. The question you should ask is
Do you suffer from any of these:


Poor attention to details.


Careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.


Trouble keeping attention on tasks or play activities.


Difficulty listening when spoken to directly.


Difficulty following instructions.


Difficulty completing schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace.


Difficulty organizing activities.


Difficulty focusing mental attention for a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).


Often loses things needed for tasks and activities (e.g. toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools).


Easily distracted.


Forgetful in daily activities.

Other Major Symptoms of ADHD:
Hyperactivity and Impulsivity

What kind of a question is that?! I'm on disability for ADD, and I take meds for it? That's a really stupid thing to ask!

it is real, but you cannot diagnose yourself, you have to have a doctor test you.





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