ADD DISORDERAnaleasia Snowflake

What is ADDa syndrome of disordered learning and disruptive behavior that is not caused by any serious underlying physical or mental disorder and that has several subtypes characterized primarily by symptoms of inattentiveness or primarily by symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsive behavior

A.D.D.

Attention Deficit Disorder

Analeasia SnowballHi, I am Analeasia Snowball and I sadly suffer with ADD disorder. I struggle everyday with not being able to focus on material. Life is very hard this way. I am known as the “dumb friend” because I sometimes can’t make out what I am trying to say and because I don’t always score that high on tests.

ADD, or attention deficit disorder, is a type of ADHD. Depending on symptoms, three types of ADHD have been identified: Predominantly Inattentive Type ADHD is also sometimes called attention deficit disorder (ADD)

Approximately 11% of children 4-17 years of age (6.4 million) have been diagnosed with ADHD as of 2011. The percentage of children with an ADHD diagnosis continues to increase, from 7.8% in 2003 to 9.5% in 2007 and to 11.0% in 2011.

• Sadly, ADD isn’t something teenagers can just grow out of

• For 25% of people, symptoms of ADD or ADHD do not cause major problems in adulthood

• 50% of people learn how to cope with their ADD in adulthood

ADD and ADHD run in families. Forty to fifty percent of all children with ADHD have at least one parent and 30 percent have a sibling with the condition.

Medication works effectively for most children [75-90%].

Medications include: Ritalin, Adderall, Lexapro, Amphetamine

I take a 20 milligram capsule of Lexapro everyday at 7:30 am. My

symptoms are very severe.

Hardest things to deal with ADD

• Staying focused while studying• Paying attention during class• Staying attentive during long

conversations• Getting distracted while taking

exams

Studying tips my teacher gave to cope with ADD

He told me that I need to identify what distracts me. I realized what distracts me the most is my phone. Next, he told me to make sure I give myself study breaks and go eat or do some kind of exercise to

keep my mind awake. Another tip was to make an organized list of all the material I needed to get

through. The last tip he gave me was to write down stray thoughts that popped in my head.

People May Experience • Behavioral: hyperactivity, fidgeting, impulsivity,

irritability, risky behavior, or lack of restraint• Cognitive: difficulty focusing, forgetfulness, lack of

concentration, problem paying attention, racing thoughts, or short attention span

• Mood: anxiety, boredom, excitement, or mood swings• Also common: depression, learning disability, or sleep

deprivation

Therapies

Support group, Cognitive behavioral therapy, Cognitive therapy,

Psychoeducation, Behavior therapy, Psychotherapy, and Group

psychotherapy

Overcoming Obstacles• When I manage to do focus in on

tests, and complete my thought process in conversations, I feel superior of my disorder.

• The hardest obstacle for me to overcome is focusing while taking exams.

How I cope with my Ailment

• I have to fight my disorder face to face• I know I have it, therefore I have to get over it• Although I take medicine to make it disappear,

it still is an issue in my everyday life• I have to relax myself more in anxious situations• I have to really understand the topic in order to

speak about it

What the disorder is made up of …

When ADD takes over …• Feeling anxious• Feeling abusive• Feeling angry• Feeling overwhelmed• Feeling afraid• Feeling worthless• Feeling lonely