Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has three distinct subtypes. One of these is predominantly inattentive and is called ADD. It is more common among women than other types. Unlike people with other subtypes, ADD patients do not typically cause trouble in the environment and are usually diagnosed later on. It is even possible for ADD to go unnoticed until adulthood, says Russell A. Barkley, Ph.D. at ContinuingEdCourses.net.
Focusing Difficulties
Inattentiveness seen in both social settings and at work is often considered to be characteristic for ADD. Naturally, this type of behavior can result in problems for patients with ADD. Doctors Richard H. Weisler and David W. Goodman have shown that these patients get fired more frequently than healthy individuals and have lower performance levels. They tend to jump from one task to another, fail to complete a single assignment and end up being frustrated for having accomplished nothing. Interestingly, when these patients are working on a project they consider interesting, they can completely center on the task and block out all environmental distractions. According to HelpQuide.org, this kind of behavior may be a coping mechanism that aims to tune out all distractions to handle the influence of the condition. This type of behavior is often seen among adults and is fairly rare in children.
Disorganization and Forgetfulness
Doctors Weisler and Goodman have shown that ADD patients frequently appear disorganized and forgetful. They often misplace and forget things they need. Their work areas or stations can look almost chaotic. This type of forgetfulness does not happen at work alone. A person with ADD forgets family members' birthdays and where they are supposed to meet people with whom they have appointments. Not surprisingly, this makes ADHD patients have fewer friends than healthy people, says doctors D. C. Guervemont and M. C. Dumas in their study published in the second volume of the "Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders" in 1994. Unfortunately, this type of behavior also seems to contribute to higher rates of divorce, according to Dr. Weisler and Dr. Goodman.
Mistakes
It is extremely challenging for ADD patients to determine how long does it will take to finish a task. That is why they frequently start doing a task much too late and hurry to finish it. A person with ADD does not give close attention to details, which may lead to careless mistakes. This makes their work sloppy and frequently erroneous. There seems to be a link between ADD and low self-esteem; according to doctors Weisler and Goodman, patients with ADD frequently rate their social skills to be lower than other people and consider themselves less worthy.
References
- "Primary Psychiatry"; Assessment and Diagnosis of Adult ADHD; Richard H. Weisler, MD., David W. Goodman, MD; 2008
- Continuing Education Courses: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Nature, Course, Outcomes, and Comorbidity
- Partners Resource Network: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Help Quide: Adult ADD / ADHD
- "Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders"; Peer Relationship Problems and Disruptive Behavior Disorders; D.G. Guevremont and M. C. Dumas, M. C.; vol 2, 1994.
