ADD

Suburban Behavioral Health Services Our Services ADD

Suburban Behavioral Health Services

Board Certified Psychiatrists & Behavioral Counselors located in Oakbrook Terrace, IL & Wheaton, IL

Attention deficit disorder (ADD) is a condition that begins in childhood and can continue into adulthood. Between 20 and 50 percent of children diagnosed with ADD will continue to have clinically significant symptoms in adulthood. Since 6 to 8 percent of all children are diagnosed with ADD, it stands to reason that between 1.2 and 4 percent of adults would display the disorder. Although the cause of ADD is unclear, there does seem to be a genetic component. ADD can usually be effectively managed in adults with a combination of medication and behavior changes.

ADD in Children

 

The exact cause of ADD is unknown, but it's common to see the disorder in successive generations within families. The genetic pattern of ADD seems to be transmissible in boys, so it passes from fathers to sons more often than in girls. The gender difference may be overestimated a bit, however, since ADD can be missed in girls as they tend to be less hyperactive than boys.

ADD is a childhood condition that always begins before age 12 and often before age 7, although some people may not be diagnosed until later in life. Among children who have ADD, between 20 and 50 percent will have significant symptoms as adults.

The first step in ADD treatment is usually medication. Ironically, the most common ADD medications are stimulants, such as Ritalin and Adderall. They work by boosting and balancing the levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. This helps people with ADD ignore distractions and remain more attentive over time.

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