What is Attention Deficit Disorder? Attention Deficit Disorder, also known as ADD, is not a lack of attention, but rather an over abundance of attention. Thus causing the patient to be easily distracted from the daily routine of life. Attention Deficit Disorder is often genetic. A parent or sibling frequently has the condition also.

Attention Deficit Disorder generally begins in childhood. Often that child that is disruptive in class or the neighborhood suffers from Attention Deficit Disorder. It is difficult to concentrate on one thing at a time. The slightest distraction can be a major issue for the Attention Deficit Disorder child. Whether it may be the snow falling outside the classroom window, a bird sitting on a branch outside of the window or the kid sitting near him or her swinging his or her leg, its all a distraction, and it changes the direction of the Attention Deficit Disorder child's focus.

As adults, the Attention Deficit Disorder will affect us in many other ways. Often the adult Attention Deficit Disorder condition allows us to multi task easier, but beware...it can also work against us. Completing a task we may have started may become nigh unto impossible. We simply cannot focus long enough on one task to complete it.

I have a prime example. One day as I was beginning to wash dishes I decided I needed a clean dish cloth. Remembering there were some in the dryer I left the water running to fill the sink and went to retrieve said dish cloth. Upon removing the dish cloths and towels from the dryer, I took them to a clothes basket in the living room reminding myself that I needed to put the clothes in the washer in the dryer. Upon arriving in the living room, I began to fold the towels. About 30 minutes later my oldest son wandered into the kitchen..."who left the water running in the sink?" he inquired. I told him I had. Then he went into the laundry room where the dryer door was hanging open as was the washer lid, "who was in the middle of doing laundry?" he again inquired. I again was guilty. It was a simple matter of distraction for me. In the midst of one task I simply went to get something I needed and began another, completely forgetting the task at hand.

For me, completing a task requires a lot more thought than just starting the task. I have to set small goals and follow through in order to accomplish things as simple as loading the dishwasher and vacuuming.

If I set a routine it can easily be disrupted. All it

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

---

Add your voice

Know something about Living with attention deficit disorder (ADD)?
We want to hear your view. Write now!