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Self-Help And Support Group Information

Some frequently asked questions about ADD and Adult Groups

1. What is Attention Deficit Disorder?

ADD appears to be a neurological dysfunction of the brain involving the production and uptake of neurotransmitters that are critical to controlling our impulses, staying focused and retaining items and events in our long term memory.

 

2. How do we commonly see ADD?

Often ADD is demonstrated as restlessness, difficulty concentrating, and a lack of impulse control. All people have issues of this type, even if they do not have ADD. Three things distinguishes the ADD individual from the non-ADD one. These are the frequency with which these problems occur, the apparent unawareness of the problems when they are occurring, and the negative impact the ADD behaviors have on the effected persons life. (ADD behaviors typically occur more frequently for the ADD population than for 90% of the average population.

 

3. What Causes it?

No one really knows, it could be brain damage or a birth defect but it appears to be hereditary.

 

4. What can we do?

With an accurate diagnosis we can have outstanding results through a program of medication and learning new coping and success strategies.

 

5. Where are they doing something about it in the average community?

Currently there is a lot of activity for ADD children in our school system. For Adults the primary resource is fast becoming Adult Support Groups like A.S.K. and professionals in the related medical fields. At present there are approximately 50 such adult groups in the United States.

 

6. What are your suggestions for a support group or self-help group to focus on at meetings?

Helping individuals to identify if they, or someone they are involved with, has ADD

Assisting in locating resources and obtaining an accurate diagnosis

Sharing your experiences and providing new coping strategies

 

7. Why should we want to do anything about ADD?

Depending on what information you consider, statistically speaking we believe there are anywhere from 3% to 22% of the population affected with ADD to some extent. This means large numbers of people and those they interact with are having to deal with and cope with ADD behaviors. This seems to make learning about ADD not only an option, but a necessity.

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