Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
Disclaimer: Not medical or professional advice. Always seek the advice of your physician.
Attention Deficit Disorder is one of the symptoms of ADHD. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a behavioral disorder observed in early childhood (a neurological and psychological condition).
ADD is more commonly diagnosed in girls and is characterized by intense imagination and poor concentration. Сhildren often get tired, feel bored, or get carried away with playing games. At these moments, they can become easily distracted, not respond to adults' requests, make careless mistakes due to inattention, and have trouble following instructions and rules. These are rare behavioral traits that are dictated by the conditions of the situation. Also, they do not violate the child's adaptation to the social environment. As children grow older, they gain more focus and control over their behavior. However, ADD cannot be completely outgrown since symptoms tend to be persistent. As a result, it may cause difficulties at school, at home, or with friends. In some cases, symptoms of ADD persist into adulthood, affecting career success.
Symptoms of ADD
Children with ADD may often:
- Make a lot of careless and unexplainable mistakes in their tasks.
- Have trouble responding to the addressed questions, and refuse to listen when spoken to directly.
- Lose various things and objects.
- Be easily distracted from the task.
- Struggle with forgetfulness.
- Have difficulty staying focused on tasks or during games.
- Fail to follow the given instructions and finish schoolwork (assignments, tasks).
- Have trouble becoming independent.
- Avoid tasks that require continuous mental effort.
A child with ADD may complain of headaches, fatigue, and drowsiness. According to child psychology studies, 60-70% of children with ADHD tend to be latent left-handed or ambidextrous.
Children with ADHD without the hyperactivity component may appear bored and have poor learning motivation. They often work at a slow pace and do not complete their tasks. However, ADD is not characterized by a violation of classroom rules. Unlike hyperactive children, they are capable of appropriate behavior at school.
Causes of ADD
Scientists are still not sure what causes ADHD. Several theories of ADHD propose that people with ADHD have significant changes in the gene that encodes dopamine. Besides, other researchers suggest that complex interactions of social, psychological, and biological factors may contribute to the development of the disorder.
Risk Factors for ADD
- having a parent with ADHD
- maternal infectious diseases during pregnancy
- incompatibility of the Rh factor between the mother and baby
- maternal substance use during pregnancy
- premature birth or difficult delivery
- serious infectious disease in early childhood (pneumonia, kidney disease)
- traumatic brain injury at a young age
How ADD Impacts the Daily Life
The results of a parent survey conducted as part of a large-scale European study of the quality of life in children and adolescents demonstrate a negative impact of ADD on the lives of children in all investigated areas compared with children without ADD. They experience persistent difficulties in the home, school, and social environments. The disorder also leads to problems in relationships with friends, peers, and family that result from difficulties in understanding societal norms and expectations. According to WHO, approximately 3.5% of working adults in different countries are diagnosed with ADHD. The condition has a negative impact on their performance.