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For many years, ADHD was thought to be a child disorder, and more specifically a disorder only found in young boys. But with medical technology and research evolving, it has been found that many children with ADD do not grow out of it when they become adults. Although some of the hyperactivity tends to decrease, the core symptoms of the disorder do not disappear. Hyperactivity can turn into impulsivity in adulthood, which can potentially be very destructive. 92 percent of adults diagnosed with ADHD who were treated after age 18 wish they had been diagnosed sooner, according to research done by Harris Interactive surveys. Research also indicated that 90 percent of teachers felt that late diagnosis affected both academic and social development in students. Families of people with ADD believe that getting an accurate diagnosis is very important, but that conflicting information prevents this from happening in many cases. Media from drug companies such as the one pushing the popular ADD drug Strattera contribute to this misinformation. Internet links that supposedly indicate ADD also contribute to misinformation. ADD is not something you can diagnose just by taking a simple quiz or survey. It must be diagnosed by a psychologist or psychiatrist, and even these visits should involve some type of formal testing for the disorder. Before recently, many adults with ADHD were called unmotivated or lazy. One thing to keep in mind is that just because you have some of the symptoms does mean you have the disorder. It is the severity of the symptoms and the history of them in the individual that is the tell tale sign. What you need to keep in mind is that a disorder by definition is something that gets in the way. So, if you have symptoms that get in the way of every day life, please go get tested and determine what the problem is so that you can get the help you need. For a diagnosis in adulthood, the symptoms of disorganization, distractibility, impulsivity and lack of long-term planning must have started sometime in childhood. It is hopeful that you would be diagnosed in childhood to head off as many of the problems as possible. Adults with ADHD can definitely have a successful life, and the disorder has a range of effects on their progress in adulthood. Some individuals with ADHD will have trouble finishing college, some won't. Some will have trouble finding a job or career they enjoy, some won't. It depends on many factors: how severe the disorder is, how supportive the individual's family is, whether secondary disorders mask ADD, etc, etc. Some individuals may have ADD and the field they chose to go into supports their creativity and ideas. Some will have no idea what they want to do and only are concerned with the moment. The bottom line is that if you think you have ADD and it is affecting the quality of your life; see a professional to further investigate your hunches. Medication and counseling can have a huge affect on the quality of your life. If you even have the smallest idea, go get checked. This disorder is not something to put off treatment to and your quality of life will be much better the sooner you have an accurate diagnosis and treatment. Don't discount counseling and other therapis. Science has come to understand more about these types of disorders in the past few years and will continue to progress with more and better medications.
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