Attention Deficit Disorder Association Responds To Misinformation About Attention Deficit Disorder (Add) In Dr. Joyce Brothers' Recent Column

Main Category: ADHD
Article Date: 23 May 2007 - 12:00 PDT

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The Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) is working to increase awareness about the disorder affecting 8 million U.S. adults, after syndicated columnist Dr. Joyce Brothers discredited decades of scientific research and proclaimed ADD "one of those phenomena … made for people who consider themselves to be a bit of a hypochondriac."

In her April 16th column she suggested that adults experiencing the symptoms of ADD might "just say the heck with it and keep muddling through."

But millions of adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) know all to well that the symptoms of this disorder are real and they can lead to anxiety, depression, and serious career and relationship problems if left untreated.

"There is no serious controversy in the medical community today about the existence of AD/HD - it has been validated by years of scientific research," said ADDA President Linda Anderson. "People experiencing the symptoms of AD/HD must recognize that what they are experiencing is "valid" and they are not alone. Today there is hope because there are a variety of effective treatment options for AD/HD, with or without the use of medication."

The current generally accepted diagnostic criteria for AD/HD are listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) published by the American Psychiatric Association (1995). Medical and mental health practitioners use these criteria and multiple other methods to collect comprehensive information and reliably diagnose AD/HD.

ADHD symptoms can include:

-- Difficulty paying attention to tasks and completing projects
-- Forgetting important things
-- Restlessness; chronic boredom
-- Disorganization, poor time management
-- Prone to addictive behaviors

www.add.org

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