ADD/ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment

What is ADD? What is ADHD? Does my child have it? How do we treat it?

As the school year returns, and children arrive in classrooms, hopefully ready to learn, the issue of attention-deficit disorder will come front and center for many teachers, students, and families.  School  is often the place where a child's inability to focus and "pay attention" becomes most apparent and can most seriously impact the child's life. Of course, ADD/ADHD does not only affect young people - adults can also struggle with attention deficit issues, which can negatively impact their jobs and their lives. Regardless of age and circumstance, the challenges of ADD/ADHD must be addressed in order for individuals to lead productive lives and enjoy an improved quality of life. That said, since attention-deficit conditions were first diagnosed in the 1970s, there have been many questions about ADD/ADHD. Parents, teachers, and children may wonder what it is, how it's diagnosed, and what treatment options are available.

Among the general population, there is a great deal of misunderstanding and mis-information about the existence, prominence, diagnosis, and treatment of ADD/ADHD. Generally speaking, ADHD (also commonly known as ADD or Attention Deficit Disorder) affects 3 to 5% of children and adults in the United States today. When faced with challenges that may indicate an ADD/ADHD diagnosis, many people will struggle with the over-whelming amount of information out there.  Obviously, the first stop for many people seeking more information on attention-deficit challenges is the internet.  And, people will obviously also turn to friends and family. Yet with so much information - and differences of opinion - on the diagnosis and treatment of ADD/ADHD, those seeking help can quickly become overwhelmed.

Thus, it can be helpful to have a comprehensive site, such as ADD Referral providing extensive information for a variety of perspectives about attention deficit disorder.  A legitimate treatment guide for ADD/ADHD should provide ample information on the basics of attention-deficit issues, as well as access to information which can help people localize their search. And in this day and age, especially with a variety of opinions and options regarding attention-deficit disorders, an effective treatment guide would offer information on both standard and alternative approaches to treating ADD/ADHD. Ultimately, the decision to pursue a diagnosis and treatment plan for attention deficit is a very personal issue for which there is no quick and easy answer. Thus, access to information is imperative for people seeking help.