Attention Deficit Disorder tends to focus predominately on children, leaving the ADD adult largely under served. Most of the information presented about Attention Deficit Disorder focuses on children, parenting and school issues. All but one ADHD medication currently on the market achieved FDA approval for adult Attention Deficit Disorder treatment.
Restructuring the ADD adult environment:Yet, the hurdles of Attention Deficit are often the same, whether in a child or an adult. The ADD adult might have trouble with staying on task, staying organized and procrastinating, just as the Attention Deficit Disorder child does. The Attention Deficit Disorder adult might have trouble maintaining relationships and controlling their mood, just like an ADD or ADHD child. The main difference between the ADD adult and the ADD child is that the adult with Attention Deficit typically has more sophisticated coping mechanisms.Add to Digg Bookmark with del.icio.us Add to NewsvineASSIGN RESPONSIBILITYThe Attention Deficit Disorder adult can find help naturally without the side effects of ADD medication treatment by incorporate diet, exercise and lifestyle modifications.Adults with ADD often realize that they have Attention Deficit Disorder when their own child is diagnosed. Looking through the list of symptoms, the parent often sees similarities in their own present or past behavior.Empathy is the ability to feel what another person is feeling and is the foundation of intrinsic motivator number two: an understanding of the importance in applying the desired behavior. Years of teaching elementary students gave me a clear understanding of the need to teach children empathy. From the charismatic manipulator, to the bully, to the social outcast, not being able to identify with other people�s feelings can lead to problems.Release the Steam, Quiet the Mind:Another important factor in keeping the atmosphere of your home uplifting is to limit complaining. Many of us are in the habit of coming home and letting off steam about the idiots we must face each day. That old homily, �Leave your troubles on the doorstep� should not be forgotten. Consider the effect on a child�s motivation to grow up and enter the work world when he or she continuously hears the adults complaining about their jobs.Diet:Use one of your self-improvement evenings each week to take a walk outside. Wear your intelligent caps while you are on your walk and talk with each other about the things you encounter. I�ll bet you can teach each other a lot.Below is an adult symptom test with symptoms unique to the Attention Deficit Disorder adult. This self test is not a diagnostic test but a source of information for the adult trying to determine if Attention Deficit Disorder might be present in their life.Many people enjoy using charts and graphs to track progress. They can be very effective. I urge you not to rely too heavily on them, however because they tend to make us think of extrinsic rewards. �What do I get when I have a star in every square?�Physicians typically first prescribe antidepressants like Prozac for an adult with ADD, since depression issues often go hand-in-hand with adult ADD. Physicians usually move to stimulant medications like Adderall, Concerta or Ritalin or Strattera if antidepressants do not work.For the better part, the Attention Deficit Disorder ADD ADHD symptom test outlined for children is about the same for the adult, with the word �work� substituted for �school.� You can also look at the Attention Deficit Disorder test for children and ask yourself if, as a child, you had such symptoms or currently have such Attention Deficit Disorder symptoms.SET GOALSWrite your list with the tasks of highest priority first. Once the highest priority task is completed, mark it off and go to the next. Warding off the urge to skip around on the list will take some discipline but the sense of accomplishment at completed tasks is well worth the effort.� Set goals
� Assign responsibility
� Recognize progress
� Develop empathy
� Create a conducive environment
� Contribute to positive health habitsMarketResearch.com is the leading provider of global market intelligence products and services. With over 300,000 research reports from more than 700 top consulting and advisory firms, MarketResearch.com offers instant online access to the world's most extensive database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, and trends. For more information, call Veronica Franco at 240-747-3016 or visit
www.MarketResearch.com .DEVELOP EMPATHYExtrinsic motivators are the rewards and punishments that come from the outside world. Play video games instead of doing homework, suffer embarrassment in class the next day. Earn a trophy for first place in a competition for high performance, win the admiration of others. There is one important fact about extrinsic motivators however, they are short-term fixes only. The desired behavior will probably disappear when the threat is gone (or forgotten) or the promise has either been delivered or denied.But ask the parent who would like to see a better report card, the boss who is sure to catch several employees off task at any give time, or the spouse who hates picking up someone else�s dirty laundry from the bathroom floor and you will hear that motivating others is IMPOSSIBLE!How has appliance ownership changed over the past five years? Which vacuums do different consumer groups tend to favor? Which show a preference for uprights, handhelds, canisters, wet/dry vacuums, carpet cleaners, sticks, robotics or other specialized vacuums? Which products do they intend to purchase? Which groups are most likely to own multiple vacuums? Who was most likely to have overseen the household's most recent floor care appliance purchase? Which groups are most likely to report having pets, allergies, asthma or being concerned with air quality? How do these factors in turn shape ownership, purchasing, interests in special features and other attitudes toward floor care? Which groups are aware of HEPA filtration and which are interested in bagless or energy-saving appliances? What was the average amount spent on the most recently purchased vacuum? Which groups plan to spend the most on their next vacuum? What factors motivated the most recent vacuum purchase? Which groups were most likely to be replacing a broken vacuum and which were making first time purchases? In buying a vacuum, which consumers are most likely to be influenced by better suction, bagless technology, air filtration, improved maneuverability, energy efficiency or other factors? How much research do different groups undertake prior to purchase? Which groups are most likely to turn to online research sources? Which are most likely to simply pick their vacuum from the in-store selection? Which are most influenced by TV commercials or magazine ads?If you experience more than 10 points on this adult ADD self symptom test, Attention Deficit Disorder is likely present.
- An internal sense of anxiety
- Impulsive spending habits
- Frequent distractions during sex
- Frequently misplace the car keys, your purse or wallet or other day-to-day items
- Lack of attention to detail
- Family history of ADD, learning problems, mood disorders or substance abuse problems
- Trouble following the proper channels or chain of commands
- An attitude of "read the directions when all else fails"
- Frequent traffic violations
- Impulsive job changes
- Trouble maintaining an organized work and/or home environment
- Chronically late or always in a hurry
- Frequently overwhelmed by tasks of daily living
- Poor financial management and frequent late bills
- Procrastination
- Spending excessive time at work due to inefficiencies
- Inconsistent work performance
- Sense of underachievement
- Frequent mood swings
- Trouble sustaining friendships or intimate relationships
- A need to seek high stimulation activities
- Tendency toward exaggerated outbursts
- Transposing numbers, letters, words
- Tendency toward being argumentative
- Addictive personality toward food, alcohol, drugs, work and/or gambling.
- Tendency to worry needlessly and endlessly
- �Thin-skinned� - having quick or exaggerated responses to real or imagined slights.
An adult with Attention Deficit Disorder might also find it beneficial to enlist the help of a coach. A coach is a close and trusted friend, co-worker or therapist whose specific function is to help the Attention Deficit Disorder adult stay organized, on track and focused while providing encouragement.
Author: Jeannine Virtue
