The Add In Me

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All the problems I faced while trying to write this paper were the epitome of ADD, at its best. I couldn’t have conceived of a more ideal example or precise account of some of the ways it affected me.

For me, the most debilitating symptoms go far beyond not being able to stay focused or concentrate. Oftentimes, I simply cannot think in any way. The persistent sense of confusion and disorganization running through my head becomes so consuming; I cannot put a coherent sentence together, or even do the most basic tasks. What is worse, it comes and goes, yet there is no indication when it may strike, how long it will last and nothing I can do to make it stop other than wait it out. I cannot predict or prevent it and trying to ignore it and go about my business only aggravates the problem and me more. Situations in which I must organize, coordinate or systematize my thoughts have become a major obstacle. Adhering to deadlines is a big thorn in my side as this interferes with things getting done in a timely manner. At times, I completely lack the capacity to do anything more difficult than stare at the TV!

A survey of 1,000 ADD/ADHD adults, which examined the long-term consequences of living with this disorder, indicated significant impairments in academic and occupational accomplishments. At times, “normal” activities become impossible for adults with ADD/ADHD, due to the serious physical and psychological problems it creates. “Lost” time or days occur when a person isn’t fully functional mentally and physically causing them to lose days of their lives (Life-Long Consequences of ADHD).

A common assumption frequently made is once diagnosed with ADD, people no longer accepted responsibility for destructive behavior and used the disorder as an excuse to act inappropriately. Along with this, we constantly questioned which of our actions, thoughts, difficulties and doubts were truly a result of having ADD, had we conveniently tried to fit the things we did in a mold, or were we really just stupid, lazy, irresponsible, etc? More often than not, it was the former. Remember, ‘if it walks like a duck, looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it probably is a duck!’

Unfortunately, there is no easy answer. For a long time, the belief was children outgrew ADD. We know better now, it does not disappear like magic, nor do we “get over” it like a cold. It lingers on, wreaking havoc on our adult lives. Furthermore, because ADD manifests itself differently in each individual, diagnosing it in adults can be tricky. No two people have the same symptoms or severity and because many adults have become so effective at compensating for ADD behaviors and passing as “normal,” it often goes unrecognized (Richardson 8). What’s more, countless other conditions, such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse are symptoms of ADD, which only adds to the confusion.

In my case, I never had the slightest clue that so many of

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