Dr Hallowell

Dr. Hallowell on the Today show discussing Adult ADD

While ADD tends to be associated with childhood, we’ve learned that it is far more widespread among adults than previously understood.  While there are some children with ADD/ADHD who will outgrow it, we now know that the vast majority will not.  Listed below are criteria for adult ADD that we developed from our clinical experience:

1. A sense of underachievement, of not meeting one’s goals (regardless of how much one has actually accomplished).
2. Difficulty getting organized.
3. Chronic procrastination or trouble getting started.
4. Many projects going simultaneously; trouble with follow through.
5. A tendency to say what comes to mind without necessarily considering the timing or appropriateness of the remark.
6. A frequent search for high stimulation.
7. An intolerance of boredom.
8. Easy distractibility; trouble focusing attention, tendency to tune out or drift away in the middle of a page or conversation, often coupled with an inability to focus at times.
9. Often creative, intuitive, highly intelligent
10. Trouble in going through established channels and following “proper” procedure.
11. Impatient; low tolerance of frustration.
12. Impulsive, either verbally or in action, as an impulsive spending of money.
13. Changing plans, enacting new schemes or career plans and the like; hot-tempered.
14. A tendency to worry needlessly, endlessly; a tendency to scan the horizon looking for something to worry about, alternating with attention to or disregard for actual dangers.
15. A sense of insecurity.
16. Mood swings, mood lability, especially when disengaged from a person or a project.
17. Physical or cognitive restlessness.
18. A tendency toward addictive behavior.
19. Chronic problems with self-esteem.
20. Inaccurate self-observation.
21. Family history of AD/HD or manic depressive illness or depression or substance abuse or other disorders of impulse control or mood.

Recognizing and treating ADD is just as important for adults as it is for children, as it has a wide ranging impact in careers, marriages and families.

Next Steps

1) Keep learning about ADD/ADHD! Some good places to start:

• Our ADD/ADHD overview page has a lot of helpful information, and is a good starting place
• Treatments for ADD/ADHD describes our recommended strategies for successfully adjusting to and coping with ADD/ADHD.
• Delivered From Distraction is one of the best introductions to ADD available
• The Top 10 questions about ADD
• The Top 10 newest findings about ADD
• Watch Dr. Hallowell discuss Kids and ADD, or ADD and education

2) If you believe that you or your child or spouse may have ADD/ADHD, get a professional diagnosis:

• The Hallowell Centers specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of ADD/ADHD, for those in or near Massachusetts or New York
• For those not near a Hallowell Center, we have a page to help you find a referral to someone qualified who can diagnose ADD/ADHD
• Ask your doctor about getting tested for ADD/ADHD

3) Remember that you are not alone! There is a tremendous community to support and help you. A few places to look, depending on your needs:

• CH.A.D.D. (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder): an excellent organization dedicated to helping and connecting those with ADD
• For those married to someone with ADD, or are ADD themselves, go to the Marriage Blog, which is also a community of people sharing their experiences
• National Attention Deficit Disorder Association: a non-profit organization that focuses on the needs of adults and young adults with ADD and ADHD. They sponsor an annual national conference on AD/HD.